Press Releases

Committee Welcomes Tougher Stance on Drink Driving

The Committee for the Environment has welcomed the Minister’s announcement that, under proposed new legislation, a minimum 3-year disqualification period for drink driving will apply to all repeat offenders, irrespective of alcohol levels.

Ballynafeigh is Beacon of Hope for Shared Future Says Assembly Committee

Members of the Assembly Committee for Social Development today visited Ballynafeigh Community Development Association (BCDA) in South Belfast to see at first-hand how the Housing Executive’s ‘Shared Communities Programme’ has had a positive impact on the local neighbourhood and on the residents who live there.

More Consultation with Care Home Residents Crucial

The Assembly's Health Committee has today called for the Minister to work more constructively with residents of residential care homes and follow advice from Claire Keatinge, the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland.

Open University is important part of Northern Ireland higher education

The Assembly’s Employment and Learning Committee has welcomed a move to officially integrate the Open University into Northern Ireland’s higher education system.

Assembly Committees to Focus on Direct Engagement at This Year’s Balmoral Show

Committees for Agriculture and Rural Development, Regional Development and OFMDFM will attend this year’s Balmoral Show.

More Action Needed on Disposal of Used Tyres, Says Committee

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Environment today called for further action to ensure the safe and effective disposal of used tyres in its final report on its Inquiry into Used Tyre Disposal.

Committee Expresses Sadness Over Death of Primary School Pupil

The Assembly Committee for Education has spoken of its shock and sadness following the news of the death of a school pupil.

Education Committee Examines the Examiners

As part of its on-going consideration of GCSEs, A-levels and concerns relating to Computer-Based Assessment and the new Levels of Progression assessments, the Committee for Education visited the headquarters of the examining body for Northern Ireland – the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.

Speaker Launches Exhibition to Mark Anniversary of Women's Suffrage Movement

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA, today marked the women’s suffrage movement with a special exhibition of student artwork at Parliament Buildings.

Joint Communiqué from the Second Plenary of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association

The North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association which comprises of representatives from the Northern Ireland Assembly and Houses of the Oireachtas, today held its second Plenary in the Senate Chamber in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast.

Committee Criticises Translink Fare Increases

The Committee for Regional Development today denounced increases in the cost of travelling by bus and by rail. The information emerged during a presentation to the Committee from the Chief Executive of Translink, Catherine Mason, on the organisation’s corporate and business plan. The increases will see the cost of a bus journey rise by 3% and the cost of a train journey rise by 5%.

Committee Encourages Use of ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ Section for Farmers Hit by Severe Weather

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has welcomed the Minister’s announcement on stocking density (the number of stock per hectare) under the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances (LFACA) Scheme.

No Evidence that Health and Social Care Services are Safer for Patients than a Decade Ago

A Report published today by the Public Accounts Committee has highlighted that, while the vast majority of services provided by Health and Social Care Trusts are of a very high quality, patients and service users can suffer largely preventable harm and suffering.

Careful Consideration of Planning Bill is Needed, Says Committee

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Environment will hold an event on the Planning Bill on Thursday, 18 April 2013 at Parliament Buildings.

More Spontaneity for Assembly Question Time

The Assembly’s Procedures Committee has recommended that Ministerial Question Time include time for topical and spontaneous questions to take place during the existing Oral Question Time. The recommendation comes as the Assembly considers the Committee’s Report into Topical Questions.

Committee Investigates Tree Disease with Key Visits

The Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development recently saw first-hand the issues surrounding tree disease with a visit to Belfast Harbour and Woodburn Forest.

Committee Event Lays Foundations for Future of Housing

Members of the Assembly Committee for Social Development met today with stakeholders from across the local housing sector to discuss the key issues surrounding the future of local housing.

More Consistency Needed in Supermarket Fuel Pricing, Says Committee

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment today considered a Consumer Council briefing that demonstrated inconsistencies in fuel prices between different locations in the same supermarket chain.

Committee Focuses on Agri-Food Industry with Visit to Local Farm and Processing Plant

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment visited a beef farm in Collone, County Armagh, and Dunbia food processing plant in Dungannon, County Tyrone earlier this week, to emphasise the importance of the agri-food industry.

Committee Questions Management of Capital Projects

The CAL Committee has expressed concern about the Northern Ireland Audit Office findings on its investigation into the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure’s management of seven major capital projects.

A-Levels Under Scrutiny at Committee Event

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education hosted an event this evening to hear views on potential changes to A-levels in Northern Ireland.

Committee welcomes Minister's commitment to local children's heart services

The Assembly Health Committee has welcomed the Health Minister, Edwin Poots MLA’s statement at their meeting on the future of paediatric cardiac services, presently delivered at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Committee Slates Housing Executive over Management and Accountability Failures

Committee Addresses EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

The Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has welcomed the opportunity to participate in a recent conference for the Parliamentary Agriculture and Fisheries Committees of EU Member States in Dublin.

Speaker’s St Patrick’s Day Event Focuses on Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA, hosted his annual St Patrick’s Day event this evening at Parliament Buildings. The theme of this year’s event focused on support for victims of domestic violence.

Committee Visits Fermanagh Archaeological Dig

Committee Expresses Concern at Graduated Penalties for Drink Driving

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Environment today expressed concern at proposals for legislation to establish a graduated penalty scheme for those who reoffend under new drink driving limits.

Speaker Marks International Women’s Day with Women’s Art Exhibition Launch

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA, hosted an event in Parliament Buildings this evening to mark International Women’s Day with the launch of an Ulster Society of Women Artists art exhibition.

Branding Will Help the Creative Industries Move Forward, says Committee

Clear branding, leadership and collaboration will help to provide a boost to the Creative Industries in Northern Ireland. That is the message from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure in its report published today on maximising the potential of the Creative Industries.

Crannog Site Provides Real Insight into Our Past, Says Committee

Following a visit to The Drumclay Crannog earlier this week, the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for the Environment recognised the need for the project’s extension and emphasized the importance of the project to future generations.

Committee launches Welfare Reform Bill Report

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Social Development today launched its report on the Welfare Reform Bill. The Bill, which is acknowledged as the most radical reform of the welfare system in a generation, is set to be debated in the Assembly in early April 2013.

Committee Welcomes Clearway Consultation

The Committee for Regional Development welcomes public consultation on experimental changes to urban clearway restrictions on three main roads in South Belfast.

Committee Calls on Executive Action to Promote “Green” Economy

The ETI Committee put forward a motion today calling on the Executive to encourage and support growth in the sustainable and renewable energy sector.

Committee Launches New Investigation into Tree Disease

The Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development today launched an Investigation into Tree Disease.

Beef produced in Northern Ireland is of the highest standard says Committee

The Committee is extremely proud of the Northern Ireland beef industry, as it has one of the highest standards in the world in relation to the traceability of meat.

Committee Investigates Payday Lending Schemes

The ETI Committee hosted an event in Parliament Buildings to investigate payday lending and specifically, regulation of payday lending schemes.

Committee Celebrates Chinese New Year with Launch of Chinese Art Exhibition

The Assembly Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure today launched a Chinese art exhibition in Parliament Buildings.

Young People and School Governors to Have Their Say on the Education Bill

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education will host an event this week - facilitated by PTA-NI and The Youth Forum - to ask school governors and young people for their views on the Education Bill.

Committee Calls For Radical Action To Improve Health Outcomes For All

Radical action is required if the health of all local people is to be improved. That’s the message from the Assembly Health Committee which has today published its Report into Health Inequalities.

Committee Pleased To See Belfast Continue To Move

The Chair and Members to the Committee for Regional Development today welcomed the announcement that Phase Two of Belfast on the Move was to commence at the end of January.

'STEM' is the way forward says Committee

The Committee for Education is calling for more pupils to get involved in the STEM subjects in schools – those are Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects.

Rates Debt Rises To £160 Million

A new Report from the Assembly Public Accounts Committee has raised concerns that the level of rate debt has almost doubled in the last five years rising from £88 million in 2006-07 to £160 million in 2011-12.

Assembly Health Committee Chair Addresses Health Conference In Cuba

The Chairperson of the Assembly's Health Committee, Sue Ramsey MLA, has addressed a major conference on health inequalities.

Committee Seeks Consistency In Child Protection

The Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure today announced that it will carry out a focused investigation into gaps in Child Protection and Safeguarding within the culture, arts and leisure sectors; including around social media.

Committee Praises Hard-Working Primary School Teachers and Pupils

Speaker of NI Assembly Lights Up Hospice Appeal

Assembly Earns Platinum Status in Environmental Performance

Abandoned Roads Need To Be Addressed Says Committee

Housing Concerns top the agenda as Committee meets Lord Freud

Committee to Hold Evidence Sessions on NIFRS Financial Practices

Committee Report Calls for Immediate Action on Bovine TB

Committee Calls for Executive to Help Drive Innovation

Decision to Close Four Courthouses Premature, says Committee

Speaker Welcomes Success of Parliament Buildings Open Day

Committee calls on Minister to halt review of children's heart surgery

Parliament Buildings Gets Ready for 80th Anniversary Festivities

Committee to Call on Minister to Answer Questions on Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

Committee Agrees Inquiry into Transport Structures

Committee Chairperson welcomes Secretary of State's support for Devolvement of Corporation tax

Parliament Buildings Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Bumper Number of Visitors

Draconian European Vehicle Testing must not come to Northern Ireland, Committee urges

Joint Communiqué from the Inaugural Plenary of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association

North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association Inaugural Meeting

Ulster Bank Must Address Accountability and Proper Compensation, Committees Urge

Concerned Committee Calls on Support for Farmers During Crisis

Committees Concerned for Retail Planning in Border Areas

Committee Calls for More Checks for Home to School Transport

Committee to Co-host Discussion on Planning and Town Centres with Oireachtas Environment Committee

Environment Committee Fishes for Evidence in Kilkeel

Environment Committee on National Parks Fact Finding Trip

Assembly Must Take Control Over Civil Servant Redundancy Payments Says Committee

Speaker Hosts Lecture On Perspective On The Ulster Covenant

Committee Calls For Extra Time For Post-Primary Consultation

Environment Committee Not Convinced By Multi Agency Approach To Combat Metal Thefts

Committee Criticises Department On Ineffective Response To Impact Of Used Tyres

Committee to Learn from Cuban Experience

Committee Reassures Victims About Abuse Inquiry Bill's Progress

Assembly Committee Marks World Suicide Prevention Day

School Councils Central To Student Experience Says Committee

New Secretary of State Must Address Corporation Tax Says Committee

Early Enforcement by NIEA Needed to Save Listed Buildings