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Government International Politics Stormont

‘We Demand Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza’ – O’Neill Tells Major London Demo

Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has called for an immediate ceasefire to end the slaughter in Gaza and said a peace process must be the shared will of the international community. Speaking at a major Palestine solidarity demonstration in London today, Michelle O’Neill said: “What is happening in Gaza is the gravest human rights violation […]

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Community Constituency Government Health Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Beattie Challenges Executive Partners U-turn on Health Commitment

Mr Beattie MC MLA said, “We chose to take the Health brief because we recognised the challenges our NHS are facing. Minister Swann was able to hit the ground running to deal with immediate pressures. “In advance of the return of the Assembly, every party committed to putting health as their number one priority. That […]

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Government Politics Stormont

Executive Agrees 2024-25 Budget

Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA announced the 2024-25 Budget today which was agreed by the Executive. Speaking following the meeting, Minister Archibald said: “Since devolution was restored, we have been really clear this was always going to be a difficult budget. The stark reality is the demands on our finances far outstrip the funding available […]

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Community Government Health Politics Stormont

Precious Life Condemn Alliance Party Motion to Promote Abortion to School Children

Precious Life condemned an Alliance Party motion passed at Stormont (22 April) calling on the Education Minister to force compulsory sex education on primary and secondary school children in Northern Ireland. Precious Life said parents are the first educators of their children, not the Government. During the Assembly debate on the motion, the Alliance Party […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Politics South Down Stormont Warrenpoint

Brown Resigns as MLA With Immediate Effect

An Alliance spokesperson has announced Patrick Brown has resigned as South Down MLA with immediate effect due to personal reasons.  A spokesperson said: “It is with regret we announce Patrick’s immediate resignation due to personal reasons.  “We thank him for his service, which saw him help Alliance make an historic breakthrough in South Down at […]

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Community Constituency Education Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics Stormont

Education Must Be Relevant to Needs of Young People – Kimmins

Sinn Féin Newry & Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins  said education must be relevant to the needs of young people. “This means modernising education to include Relationships and Sexual Education (RSE) where young people should have access to age-appropriate, science based education on sexual and reproductive health and rights. “Sinn Féin wants an education system that […]

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Community Education Government Health Politics Stormont

Aontu Slam Alliance Party’s RSE Implementation Motion

Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly has spoken out against the Alliance Party’s RSE implementation motion scheduled for this Monday. “Monday’s motion is yet another step in the pathway impinging upon the role of the family in society. It seeks to impinge upon the rights of parents and respecting that parents know their children best, wrongfully […]

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Community Crime Education Government Health Politics Stormont

SDLP Seek Assembly Support For ‘Consent Education’ to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls

SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA will propose an amendment to an Assembly motion on Monday seeking support for specific guidance in the curriculum on consent, coercive control and positive relationships. The East Derry MLA has been campaigning to introduce specific guidance on consent education for the last number of years and has pressed previous […]

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Community Education Government Health Politics Stormont

DUP – “Teacher & Parental Choice Is Key In RSE”

DUP East Antrim MLA Cheryl Brownlee, who also sits on the Assembly’s Education Committee has said the Alliance Party should spell out in detail their RSE plans for schools and how they will respect school ethos and parental choice. There will be an Alliance motion on Relationship and Sexuality Education debated in the Assembly on […]

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Community Education Government Health Politics Stormont

Alliance Calls for Inclusive, Standardised, Age-Appropriate Relationship and Sexuality Education In Schools

Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl has said that we must end the ‘postcode lottery’ that currently exists around young peoples’ access to Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE), and that we must ensure the rights of children are enshrined in law. She was speaking ahead of Monday (22 April), when Alliance will be bringing a motion to […]

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Business Community Government International Politics Stormont

Ministers Meet With U.S. Economic Envoy

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly met with U.S. Special Envoy to NI for Economic Affairs Joe Kennedy today, reaffirming their commitment to building prosperity through investment. The Special Envoy is on a three-day visit to Northern Ireland and met with the Ministers to discuss a range of issues including the […]

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Business Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont

Murphy Welcomes Unions’ Move to Accept Pay Offer

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed a decision by UCU and NASUWT members to accept an increased pay offer for further education lecturers. The Minister said: “I am pleased that my Department has been able to facilitate this pay award, which has been accepted by unions. Further education lecturers are vital in providing many of […]