Latest releases
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1,734 releases
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Mandatory carbon audits are finished
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA says the Department's proposal to link carbon audits to farm payments is effectively dead, with four parties opposed. She calls for the Department to stop and listen, arguing the calculators ignore carbon stored in hedges, trees…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: Mandatory carbon audits are finished (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Compulsory Carbon Audits unnecessary and disproportionate – McAleer
Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson and West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer opposes Department proposals to make carbon audits compulsory for farmers, saying linking them to 10% to 15% cuts in Farm Sustainability Payments goes beyond the Climate Change Act and penalises smaller farmers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: Compulsory Carbon Audits unnecessary and disproportionate – McAleer (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly: Derry needs a stronger network of rapid EV charging points
SDLP Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly calls for urgent investment in rapid EV charging across Derry, citing a shortage of reliable fast chargers. He welcomes two Waterside applications in the planning system and Council's ORCS involvement, and urges the Department for Infrastructure to act.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Original release: Reilly: Derry needs a stronger network of rapid EV charging points (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: School Holidays Shouldn't Mean Hunger
SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA backs the Holiday Hunger Bill, which would keep Free School Meals support for eligible children during school holidays, and calls on the Executive to fund it.
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Holiday Hunger Bill backing for Free School Meals during school holidays Original release: Hunter: School Holidays Shouldn't Mean Hunger (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Working Families Paying Price for Executive Failure on School Meals
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA criticises a further rise in school meal costs, saying working families are bearing the impact of Executive dysfunction and the lack of a Budget. He questions the cost gap with England and calls for procurement transparency.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority school meal price increase to £3.40 Original release: Durkan: Working Families Paying Price for Executive Failure on School Meals (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Lucy's Law without the register is only half the job - McIlveen
DUP MLA Michelle McIlveen says a register of puppy and kitten sellers, dropped from Lucy's Law regulations before Stormont's Agriculture Committee, is a planning failure by the Department. She calls on the Minister for a firm timetable and resources for councils.
Agriculture and rural affairs Local government Issue: Lucy's Law regulations register of puppy and kitten sellers deferred Original release: Lucy's Law without the register is only half the job - McIlveen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Brett: Garth Brooks Sell-Outs Highlight Importance of Protecting…
DUP MLA and Economy Committee Chair Phillip Brett welcomes a third Belfast concert by Garth Brooks, citing strong ticket demand and hospitality benefits, and says protecting the Boucher Road outdoor venue must remain a priority.
Economy and employment Local government Issue: Third Garth Brooks Belfast concert announcement at Boucher Road Original release: Brett: Garth Brooks Sell-Outs Highlight Importance of Protecting… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson: Minister is out of touch with the realities facing family…
DUP Newry & Armagh MLA Gareth Wilson accuses Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir of being out of touch with farmers over mandatory carbon audits, which he says would cut farm payments by 10% from May 2029 and 15% the following year. He calls for the Minister to listen to farmers and says the DUP will…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: Wilson: Minister is out of touch with the realities facing family… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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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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Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's future
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP writes to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget, urging targeted help for households facing high energy and bills, including extra money for the home heating oil scheme and an Essentials Guarantee for Universal Credit. She also proposes a ten-year investment partnership on…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Stormont budget request for household support and infrastructure investment Original release: Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's future (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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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 tie the Farm Sustainability Payment to registering for the carbon audit project. She says cuts of 10% then 15% are a penalty, the project is underfunded, and calls on the Minister to think…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveen (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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Hunger figures must be a wake-up call for Communities Minister, says Mulholland
Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA expresses concern at Trussell figures showing 21% of people in Northern Ireland reported their household ran out of food in the last year, and calls on the Communities Minister to bring forward an funded Anti-Poverty Strategy with deadlines and…
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Stormont poverty statistics release Original release: Hunger figures must be a wake-up call for Communities Minister, says Mulholland (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)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (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)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (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)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (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 Issue: Derry City and Strabane District Council Armed Forces jobs fair ban Original release: Job Fairs decision is discrimination driven by narrow political… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Andrew Muir and Connie Egan selected as Alliance North Down Assembly candidates
Alliance MLAs Andrew Muir and Connie Egan say they have been re‑selected to contest North Down in the 6 May 2027 Assembly election, highlighting Muir’s record on water quality, climate action and farming, and Egan’s work on ending violence against women, integrated education and a reformed Stormont.
Other Environment and climate Issue: Alliance North Down Assembly candidates selected Original release: Andrew Muir and Connie Egan selected as Alliance North Down Assembly candidates (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives express concern following devastating oil contamination incident
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland and Braid Councillor Chelsea Harwood express shock over an oil contamination incident at BEWWT in Broughshane, which killed several birds including two Trumpeter swans. They pay tribute to volunteers, and Harwood urges people with knowledge of the vandalism to contact…
Environment and climate Issue: Broughshane Environment Waterfowl and Wildlife Trust oil contamination Original release: Alliance representatives express concern following devastating oil contamination incident (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)