Latest releases
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66 releases
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Reilly Secures Council Backing for Action on Economic Abuse
SDLP Councillor Martin Reilly says Derry and Strabane District Council has backed his motion calling for stronger action on economic abuse, including emergency financial help and specialist debt advice for those escaping abuse, and urges Executive departments to develop a coordinated response.
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Derry and Strabane District Council economic abuse motion Original release: Reilly Secures Council Backing for Action on Economic Abuse (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible
Alliance Belfast Councillor Michael Long welcomes Belfast City Council's endorsement of an Alliance proposal to have council officers meet the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee before next year's Fleadh. The move follows disability groups' concerns about this year's event.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fleadh 2026 accessibility concerns and proposals Original release: Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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CCG: Don’t sell our land for an AI campus!
Aontú calls on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's sub-committee to halt and reject the proposed sale of public land for a data centre expansion at the Coleraine campus. It argues the project lacks an updated Local Development Plan and demands transparency, public consultation and full…
Local government Infrastructure and transport Issue: Coleraine data centre expansion proposal Original release: CCG: Don’t sell our land for an AI campus! (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Micky Murray says legal opinion backed his party's call-in over a £339,242 discretionary funding redirection by the DUP and Sinn Féin. He claims procedures were not properly followed, including a proposal to ring-fence funds for bilingual street signs before other…
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 (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast to bid for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes Belfast City Council's decision to pursue a bid to host the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast in 2028, calling it a major step for the city after the last festival drew large crowds and boosted local businesses.
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council bid to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 Original release: Belfast to bid for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Council’s Armed Forces jobs fair ban is insulting and ridiculous
TUV West Tyrone candidate Stevan Patterson condemns Derry City and Strabane District Council's decision to withdraw from future jobs fairs involving the Armed Forces, calling it ridiculous and insulting. He cites a recent bomb disposal operation at an Ebrington Square hotel as context.
Local government Economy and employment Issue: Derry City and Strabane District Council Armed Forces jobs fair ban Original release: Council’s Armed Forces jobs fair ban is insulting and ridiculous (opens in a new tab)
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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 end backing for job fairs that include the Armed Forces, calling it divisive and discriminatory toward those who serve. She argues it excludes young people from careers and training while dissident…
Economy and employment Local government Original release: Job Fairs decision is discrimination driven by narrow political… (opens in a new tab)
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Reichenberg highlights oil voucher discrimination
Aontú's Liam Reichenberg, representing Slieve Gullion, says residents of Radius sheltered accommodation in Crossmaglen and Keady have been excluded from the £100 heating oil voucher. He is calling on the minister and department to urgently review the eligibility criteria.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Home Heating Oil Support Scheme voucher eligibility criteria review Original release: Reichenberg highlights oil voucher discrimination (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls for interventions to support homeless in NI following Prime Minister's summit on rough sleeping
Alliance housing spokesperson and All‑Party Group on Homelessness Chair Kellie Armstrong MLA calls on the Minister for Communities to fund measures that will save homeless lives, urging coordinated, long‑term solutions after the Prime Minister’s rough‑sleeping summit.
Housing Issue: Prime Minister's summit on rough sleeping Original release: Armstrong calls for interventions to support homeless in NI following Prime Minister's summit on rough sleeping (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Backs Bid for Third Year of Belfast Fleadh
SDLP Group Leader Councillor Séamas de Faoite says the party backed a bid for a third Belfast Fleadh Cheoil, citing 1.6million visitors, and is exploring other landmark events including a case for the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Economy and employment Local government Original release: SDLP Backs Bid for Third Year of Belfast Fleadh (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: FinTrU Redundancy Process Must be Restarted
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin calls for the FinTrU redundancy process to be restarted, backing the Financial Services Union's demand and seeking a meeting with management over unfair treatment of Derry staff. He says he will propose council support for workers at Derry City and Strabane…
Economy and employment Local government Issue: FinTrU proposed redundancies at Derry site Original release: Harkin: FinTrU Redundancy Process Must be Restarted (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer in schools amid high energy costs, linking it to cuts and crumbling school buildings. She raised the issue at a Derry City and Strabane council committee.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Malachy Quinn as Assembly Candidate for Mid Ulster
The SDLP says Councillor Malachy Quinn has been picked as its candidate for Mid Ulster at the next Assembly election, citing his council record and community work. Party leader Claire Hanna MP and MLA Patsy McGlone both back him, with McGlone stepping aside.
Other Local government Original release: SDLP selects Malachy Quinn as Assembly Candidate for Mid Ulster (opens in a new tab)
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Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA says the planning system is holding back growth, citing provisional statistics for April to June 2026 showing over 30% of live applications open for more than a year. He calls for a comprehensive reform programme, including mandatory…
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 (opens in a new tab)
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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 the car dumped in the River Lagan to be removed and the site checked for contamination, such as a battery leaching heavy metals. They also demand written confirmation that the river will be clear next summer, and…
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 (opens in a new tab)
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Council must stop passing the buck on dumped car in River Lagan
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn says the response so far to a car dumped in the River Lagan in Lisburn has been unacceptable, and calls for its removal, agreed responsibility and a clean-up plan. The Greens, with Lagan Valley Greens, are running a petition.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Dumped car in River Lagan near Lisburn council chamber Original release: Council must stop passing the buck on dumped car in River Lagan (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Groogan statement on Belfast City Council special meeting
Green Party councillor Áine Groogan says a special Belfast City Council meeting on planning enforcement should not have happened, arguing that political interventions risk undermining impartial officer decisions and breaching the councillors' code of conduct. She calls the move distraction…
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council special meeting Original release: Cllr Groogan statement on Belfast City Council special meeting (opens in a new tab)
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Ards & North Down Backs Ruby’s Law to Protect Pets and People from Domestic Abuse
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall says Ards and North Down Borough Council has become the first in Northern Ireland to back Ruby's Law, which would let protective orders cover pets in homes affected by domestic abuse. She urges other councils and Ministers to act.
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Ruby's Law domestic abuse protection legislation proposal Original release: Ards & North Down Backs Ruby’s Law to Protect Pets and People from Domestic Abuse (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin Unites With DUP To Vote Down Trans Rights Solidarity Motion In Derry City and Strabane District Council
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says Sinn Féin joined the DUP to defeat his council motion backing trans people, which called for reversal of Stormont decisions on puberty blockers, gender identity services and school guidance. He says Sinn Féin called the motion divisive rather than…
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Sinn Féin Unites With DUP To Vote Down Trans Rights Solidarity Motion In Derry City and Strabane District Council (opens in a new tab)
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Motion Backing HSC Workers Receives Unanimous Support In Derry City & Strabane District Council
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says his motion backing HSC workers was passed unanimously by Derry City and Strabane District Council. It calls on the Health Minister and Stormont Executive to deliver pay parity with NHS England, Scotland and Wales, and says the offer so far is a…
Health Economy and employment Original release: Motion Backing HSC Workers Receives Unanimous Support In Derry City & Strabane District Council (opens in a new tab)