Latest releases
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14 releases
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O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitments
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O’Toole MLA calls for firm delivery commitments after the Belfast section of the Eastern Transport Plan 2035 was published, saying the proposals are aspirational but lack budget and clear timelines, and urging the Minister to ensure pedestrianisation, safeguard the‑dis
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Eastern Transport Plan 2035 Belfast portion publication Original release: O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitmentsArchived 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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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP Councillor Catherine McDaid criticised the Education Authority's advice that pupils should “ wear more clothes” in D Derry schools, arguing it reflects cut budgets and inadequate heating rather than protecting children and staff, and she urged action on heating and repairs.
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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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
The party criticises the Department for the Economy's handling of Ulster University's funding, putting 450 jobs at risk. The party Leader, Mal O'Hara, calls for Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to explain her plan for higher education in Northern Ireland.
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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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
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Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry
People Before Profit councillor Maeve O'Neill says Translink's decision to run a special train for the Derry v Galway All-Ireland semi-final from Belfast rather than Derry is a deliberate insult to the city. She calls for the issue to be addressed immediately and urges a proper Derry-Dublin rail…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink Derry special train for All-Ireland semi-final departing from Belfast Original release: Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry