Latest releases
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17 releases
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DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveen
DUP Agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA says her party will oppose Minister Andrew Muir's plan to make the carbon footprinting project mandatory for the Farm Sustainability Payment, arguing it would cut payments for non-participating farms without funding in place.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveenArchived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026
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Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
Alliance councillor Murray says a call-in found serious concerns over transparency and fairness in Belfast City Council's £339,242 discretionary funding redirection, which DUP and Sinn Féin backed with UUP and SDLP support. He claims legal opinion validated Alliance's concerns about procedures and…
Local government Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast City Council discretionary funding allocation call-in Original release: Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
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TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA says Paul Givan’s TransformED is steering education the wrong way, warning it would increase high‑stakes exams, cut coursework, narrow the curriculum and add pressure on teachers while ignoring academic selection, and urges the Minister to listen to ‑
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
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Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison says the Education Minister is placing an unsustainable additional workload on teachers through the TransformED reforms, ahead of an Assembly motion on the day raising concerns from teachers, principals and parents.
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: Minister putting unsustainable additional workload on teachers, says Mathison, ahead of TransformED motion
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Job Fairs decision is discrimination driven by narrow political…
DUP Foyle MLA Julie Middleton condemns Derry City and Strabane District Council's decision to pull backing from job fairs that include the Armed Forces, calling it divisive and discriminatory towards those who serve.
Economy and employment Local government Original release: Job Fairs decision is discrimination driven by narrow political…
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer amid energy cost pressures, saying school budgets are overstretched and schools are being left cold heading into winter.
Education Local government Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
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Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
Alliance MLA McReynolds says the planning system is holding back economic growth, citing June 2026 figures showing over 30% of live applications were over a year old and only three councils met statutory timeframes. She calls for a comprehensive reform programme with mandatory timeframes and…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Planning system statistics and business concerns Original release: Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
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Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn criticises the lack of plug-in solar in Northern Ireland as Great Britain's rules allowing up to 800W systems take effect, and calls on Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to explain the delay and set out a timetable.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: plug-in solar launch in Great Britain Original release: Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
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Dumped Car in River Lagan 40 Years On
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn and Lagan Valley Greens Co-chair Richard Gill call for a dumped car in the River Lagan to be removed and the site checked for contamination, including whether a battery is leaching into the water. They criticise Alliance and the UUP over years of inaction and urge…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Dumped car in River Lagan near Lisburn council chamber Original release: Dumped Car in River Lagan 40 Years On
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The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
Green Party NI leader Mal O'Hara says the Economy Department has let down Ulster University staff after plans put up to 450 jobs at risk when no promised funding settlement arrived. He calls on Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to address the Assembly with a plan for higher education, and urges…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University job cuts announcement Original release: The Department for the Economy has failed Ulster University’s staff
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North Down Councillors blast DUP and UUP over climate hypocracy
Green Party Northern Ireland condemns the DUP and UUP for backing the Ards & North Down Council Climate Action Plan while demanding a review of legally‑binding climate targets, calling the move a dangerous contradiction that delays science‑based action and harms communities.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Drumcree Parades Commission ruling Original release: North Down Councillors blast DUP and UUP over climate hypocracy
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People Before Profit Slam Proposed Fees Increase At University
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin criticises Ulster University Vice Chancellor Paul Bartholomew's suggestion that fees rise above £9,000 to fund Magee expansion, calling the link cynical and urging fees be cut with the aim of abolition.
Education Original release: People Before Profit Slam Proposed Fees Increase At University
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Harkin: The Tories Won’t Criminalise Palestine Solidarity
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin criticises Westminster's Economic Activity of Public Bodies Overseas Bill, which would bar councils and public bodies from implementing boycotts of Israel, and says Derry and Strabane Council will not be silenced on its BDS policy.
International affairs Local government Issue: Economic Activity of Public Bodies Overseas Bill notification to Derry and Strabane Council Original release: Harkin: The Tories Won’t Criminalise Palestine Solidarity
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Council Hardship Fund A Response To Westminster & Stormont Criminal Negligence
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says he is frustrated by a further delay to the Council Emergency Hardship Fund in Derry, with officers re-inviting bids for a Fuel Payment Partner to run it. He blames Westminster and Stormont for failing to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: Council Emergency Hardship Fund roll-out delay Original release: Council Hardship Fund A Response To Westminster & Stormont Criminal Negligence
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Harkin: Council Hardship Fund Hypocrites
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says the Council Hardship Fund is a drop in the ocean and condemns the SDLP, Sinn Féin and DUP for blocking or cutting it, calling their actions hypocritical and urging additional funding to tackle the cost‑of‑living crisis.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Council Hardship Fund Original release: Harkin: Council Hardship Fund Hypocrites
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DUP And UU Think 6000 Students At Magee Is Good Enough For Derry
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says the DUP and Ulster University are accepting 6,000 students at Magee as enough, and calls for an urgent plan to reach a 10,000-student minimum within five years. He also calls for investment across Derry and the North West, citing Derry City Deal funding…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University Magee campus student number target 6,000 Original release: DUP And UU Think 6000 Students At Magee Is Good Enough For Derry
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Families Struggling To Cope With Private Care Home Top-Up Fees
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says families are struggling with third-party top-up fees charged by private care homes, and says Derry and Strabane Council has agreed to request a report on the Western Trust's use of them. He calls for a Trust investigation and assurances on fair pricing.
Health Local government Original release: Families Struggling To Cope With Private Care Home Top-Up Fees