Latest releases
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73 releases
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We will not let drugs take hold of our rural communities
UUP Deputy Leader and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Diana Armstrong is leading an Assembly adjournment debate on drugs and drug-related intimidation in rural communities. She calls on the Justice Minister to say what replaces the Executive drugs programme ending in March 2027.
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: We will not let drugs take hold of our rural communities (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGuinness welcomes Maine Governor to Leinster House for discussions on trade, maritime affairs and Irish unity – Conor D. McGuinness TD
Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness, Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, says he hosted Maine Governor Janet Mills at Leinster House to discuss Irish unity, trade, fisheries, offshore renewables and marine research. He calls for continued American political…
International affairs Economy and employment Original release: McGuinness welcomes Maine Governor to Leinster House for discussions on trade, maritime affairs and Irish unity – Conor D. McGuinness TD (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says he will vote against the Education Minister's amendments to the Holiday Meal Payments Bill at Further Consideration Stage and back the Education Committee's amendments, so payments are never below a school dinner's cost.
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill Further Consideration Stage amendments Original release: Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin MPs meet Ulster Farmers’ Union to discuss key challenges facing farming sector
Sinn Féin MPs Cathal Mallaghan and Órfhlaith Begley say they met the Ulster Farmers' Union at Westminster on inheritance tax, bovine TB, the Nutrients Action Programme and Mercosur. Begley calls on the British Government to match the EU's suspension of Brazilian meat imports.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Sinn Féin MPs meet Ulster Farmers’ Union to discuss key challenges facing farming sector (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Diana Armstrong is new AERA committee chair
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, says she will chair the Assembly's agriculture and environment committee, replacing Robbie Butler, and pledges to hold the Department to account on farm affordability, bovine TB, mental health and the Dilapidation Bill.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Diana Armstrong appointed chair of AERA committee Original release: Diana Armstrong is new AERA committee chair (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Diana Armstrong MLA meets with Ulster Farmers' Union President John McLenaghan
UUP's Diana Armstrong MLA, newly appointed Chair of the Assembly's Agriculture committee, says she has met Ulster Farmers' Union President John McLenaghan, covering current industry issues and future opportunities. She plans a series of similar engagements with agricultural representatives and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Diana Armstrong MLA meets with Ulster Farmers' Union President John McLenaghan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the School Uniforms Bill’s latest Assembly stage provides an opportunity to guarantee every pupil the automatic right to wear trousers, urging school uniform policy to be brought into the 21st century.
Education Disability and equality Issue: School Uniforms Bill passes Assembly stage Original release: No girl should have to ask permission to wear trousers to school – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Ballymena Showgrounds 3G Pitch Receives Green Light
TUV Alderman Stewart McDonald, on Mid and East Antrim's planning committee, says he welcomed approval of an application to replace the natural grass at Ballymena Showgrounds with a 3G hybrid pitch, crediting Councillor Matthew Armstrong.
Local government Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ballymena Showgrounds 3G pitch planning approval Original release: Ballymena Showgrounds 3G Pitch Receives Green Light (opens in a new tab)
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Qualified support for Hunting with Dogs Bill
UUP Agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says the party is broadly supportive of the Hunting with Dogs Bill’s principles but calls for clearer legal definitions and safeguards to protect lawful rural activities, urging the sponsor to clarify several points.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Hunting with Dogs Bill Assembly debate Original release: Qualified support for Hunting with Dogs Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly has chance to make history with debate on banning hunting with dogs, says Blair
Alliance MLA John Blair urges all parties to back his Bill banning hunting with dogs ahead of its second stage vote in the Assembly, saying Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where the practice is not outlawed.
Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly second stage vote on Alliance hunting with dogs ban Bill Original release: Assembly has chance to make history with debate on banning hunting with dogs, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Backing Belfast City Airport Master Plan will deliver jobs and growth…
DUP MLAs Phillip Brett, Diane Forsythe and Jonathan Buckley table a motion in the Assembly backing the George Best Belfast City Airport Master Plan 2040, saying it will create jobs, double the workforce, add a £1.7 billion boost to the economy and improve connectivity with a direct rail link.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: George Best Belfast City Airport Master Plan 2040 Original release: Backing Belfast City Airport Master Plan will deliver jobs and growth… (opens in a new tab)
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Cuireann Sheehan fáilte roimh an dul chun cinn ar Bhille um Ghaelscolaíocht
Sinn Féin MLA for West Belfast Sheehan welcomes the Irish Medium Education workforce bill passing its second stage in the Assembly. He says it will require the Department of Education to plan for the sector's staffing needs, and accuses the DUP and others of trying to obstruct progress.
Education Issue: Irish Medium Education workforce bill second stage in Assembly Original release: Cuireann Sheehan fáilte roimh an dul chun cinn ar Bhille um Ghaelscolaíocht (opens in a new tab)
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Narrow Water Bridge is the key to unlocking South Down’s enormous economic potential – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says he met the Shared Island Unit in Dublin Castle on the Narrow Water Bridge project, calling for local projects linked to the crossing to be backed so South Down can gain from jobs and tourism.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Narrow Water Bridge is the key to unlocking South Down’s enormous economic potential – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party offers conditional support for Areas of Natural Constraint Bill
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says the party will back Declan McAleer's Areas of Natural Constraint Bill to Committee Stage, conditional on confirmed funding, measurable outcomes and alignment with long-term agricultural policy. He cites ANC funding in the Republic of Ireland and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Areas of Natural Constraint Bill progression to Committee Stage Original release: Ulster Unionist Party offers conditional support for Areas of Natural Constraint Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Bill to support Irish-medium education passes first stage – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says his Irish Medium Education Bill has passed its first stage in the Assembly. He says Irish-medium schools struggle to recruit teachers, SEN and early years staff, and calls for the Department of Education to plan the Irish-medium workforce with evidence, targets and…
Education Issue: Irish Medium Education Bill passes first stage in Assembly Original release: Bill to support Irish-medium education passes first stage – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly backs call for removal of illegal Sinn Fein billboard
The DUP says the Assembly backed its motion condemning an unauthorised Sinn Fein billboard at Newry’s Egyptian arch and urges the Infrastructure Minister to allocate resources and authority to have it removed.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Sinn Fein billboard at Newry Egyptian arch Original release: Assembly backs call for removal of illegal Sinn Fein billboard (opens in a new tab)
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Work on Layde Cliff Path due to begin in May – McMullan
Sinn Féin Councillor Oliver McMullan says Causeway Coast and Glens Council officers have told him work on the Layde Cliff Path will start in May, brought forward by several months. He says the design team has visited the site and tendering is under way, and he will seek a further update.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Layde Cliff Path restoration works start date Original release: Work on Layde Cliff Path due to begin in May – McMullan (opens in a new tab)
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Leader's Weekly email - 10th January
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP says the Prime Minister must protect veterans in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and reject any Irish Republic veto over amendments, and criticises the Sinn Fein Finance Minister's draft Budget as lacking Executive agreement.
Community relations and legacy Infrastructure and transport Original release: Leader's Weekly email - 10th January (opens in a new tab)
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26,000 vehicles still outstanding from Sellantis recall: Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell says the Department for Transport has confirmed around 122,000 of an estimated 148,000 Stellantis vehicles have been rectified after an airbag safety recall. He calls for every owner of the roughly 26,000 outstanding vehicles to respond to recall notices and for their…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Stellantis vehicle recall progress confirmed by Department for Transport Original release: 26,000 vehicles still outstanding from Sellantis recall: Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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Progress on Layd Cliff Path improvement – McMullan
Sinn Féin Councillor and Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council Oliver McMullan says he pressed council officers and the PEACEPLUS Partnership to start Layd Cliff Path improvements soon, with completion targeted for 2026. He welcomes the appointment of a design team in November and says a way…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Layd Cliff Path improvement works PEACEPLUS funding progress Original release: Progress on Layd Cliff Path improvement – McMullan (opens in a new tab)