Latest releases
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34 releases
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Protecting the environment should be a collective effort, says Blair, on Biodiversity Day
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls for a collective political effort to protect the environment on Biodiversity Day, after visiting Divis and the Black Mountain with the National Trust. He backs DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's nature recovery work and urges support from other…
Environment and climate Original release: Protecting the environment should be a collective effort, says Blair, on Biodiversity Day (opens in a new tab)
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Net Zero targets must be met to protect our environment – Kearney
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says Net Zero targets must be met during a Stormont debate, pointing to Lough Neagh's ecological decline, threats to eel fishing livelihoods and calls for investment in green energy such as offshore wind.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Net Zero targets must be met to protect our environment – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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DUP are bringing common sense to government – Buckley
Upper Bann MLA and DUP Director of Campaigns Jonathan Buckley says Northern Ireland requires a return to practical government after a visit to Fermanagh, criticising net zero targets and green taxes as adding to fuel and energy costs. He also accuses Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance of…
Economy and employment Environment and climate Original release: DUP are bringing common sense to government – Buckley (opens in a new tab)
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We must work to ensure everyone in NI has a safe and suitable home, says Armstrong, on Homelessness Awareness Week
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says homelessness is too often reduced to statistics, labels or stereotypes, and calls for work to ensure everyone in Northern Ireland has a safe and suitable home, marking Homelessness Awareness Week.
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Health Minister: Small steps can make a big difference this winter
The Department of Health, speaking through Health Minister Mike Nesbitt during National Self-Care Week, urges the public to manage their physical health and mental wellbeing this winter, check on older neighbours, and use community pharmacies via the Pharmacy First service for minor illnesses.
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Focus should be on realistic solutions to health service challenges
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says Northern Ireland's health service needs practical investment and reform, and calls proposals for an all-Ireland healthcare system unnecessary and unrealistic. She says General Practice pressures should be tackled locally through workforce stability and…
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Protecting and restoring Lough Neagh a priority for Sinn Féin – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan says safeguarding Lough Neagh is a party priority ahead of an Assembly debate, citing recurring blue-green algae. She backs a workable Nutrient Action Programme and calls for short and long term actions under the Executive's Lough Neagh Action Plan, shaped by lough…
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly debate on Lough Neagh blue-green algae Original release: Protecting and restoring Lough Neagh a priority for Sinn Féin – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan calls for an all-island approach to tackle air pollution on Clean Air Day, arguing it harms health, worsens health inequalities and contributes to hundreds of deaths each year. She pledges support for the Executive and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and…
Environment and climate Health Original release: All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler
Ulster Unionist spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says farmers must not bear the cost of climate action, calling for codesigned measures after recent changes to create a Climate Commissioner office raised concerns. He says the changes should not pit environmental goals against agriculture.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler (opens in a new tab)
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The Chill Factor and Irish Signage
TUV says a LucidTalk survey commissioned by Analogical Research shows a "chill factor" among Unionists and Protestants towards Irish language street signs, with 88% of Unionist voters less likely to move to such a road. It claims the signs could drive ethnic cleansing and cut Unionist use of…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: LucidTalk survey on Irish signage and Unionist house-hunting and leisure centre use Original release: The Chill Factor and Irish Signage (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson - we call a spade a spade
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP, in his New Year message, sets out 2025 priorities including the childcare subsidy scheme and broadband completion, and rejects new taxes to fix health pressures, calling instead for accountability and better management in the health service.
Constitutional affairs Health Original release: Robinson - we call a spade a spade (opens in a new tab)
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New Year Message from Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, now Health Minister, uses his New Year message to call for change in health and social care and for every Executive party to commit to never collapsing the institutions again.
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Hope and change: Left republican cooperation is the way forward – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA writes in An Phoblacht that the 2024 Irish general election has realigned Dáil politics, ending the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael duopoly, and argues left republican and progressive parties should cooperate as an opposition.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: 2024 Irish general election result and realignment of Dáil politics Original release: Hope and change: Left republican cooperation is the way forward – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart
DUP MLA Carla Lockhart argues that the 'dignity' language used by assisted suicide campaigners, such as Dignity in Dying, is a misleading framing. She says legalising assisted suicide would lower the perceived worth of disabled, poor and homeless people, citing a Canadian poll on MAID eligibility.
Disability and equality Health Original release: ‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong visits Simon Community facility.
Alliance's Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has toured a Simon Community facility on Saintfield Road and met staff and people with lived experience of homelessness. She says she will press for more resources for homelessness services.
Housing Original release: Armstrong visits Simon Community facility. (opens in a new tab)
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Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair.
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA urges people to use Plastic Free July to change how they use and dispose of plastic, citing harm to wildlife, waterways and marine life, and UN and BBC figures on global plastic waste.
Environment and climate Original release: Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair. (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson - "keep focused on making this place prosperous"
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP welcomes Shadow Secretary of State Hilary Benn to Lagan Valley and urges focus on prosperity, citing fibre broadband rollout, the lowest UK unemployment rate and a rejection of a border poll.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Robinson - "keep focused on making this place prosperous" (opens in a new tab)
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Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing
UUP agriculture spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA says farming's role in climate change needs addressing, arguing farmers are partners rather than scapegoats. He points to carbon sequestration, renewable energy on farms and the sector's economic importance, and calls for incentives and collaboration.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: Elliott explains that the complex interaction between farming and climate change requires addressing (opens in a new tab)
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New DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir says he's committed to delivering across full remit of Department for good of everyone in NI
Alliance's Andrew Muir MLA, the new DAERA Minister, says he will deliver across the department's full remit, prioritising Lough Neagh's recovery, longer-term carbon targets and bovine TB, while working with farming and fishing communities.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Andrew Muir appointed Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Original release: New DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir says he's committed to delivering across full remit of Department for good of everyone in NI (opens in a new tab)
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John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery
Alliance Agriculture and Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA says the natural environment is depleting rapidly, citing Lough Neagh, and urges urgent action after meeting Ulster Wildlife, hoping a restored Assembly will make nature‑proofing central to government policy.
Environment and climate Issue: Meeting with Ulster Wildlife on nature recovery Original release: John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery (opens in a new tab)