The Assembly

Repeated concerns have been raised about the impact of hunting with dogs legislation on shooting in Northern Ireland.

Almost all involved in shooting would be affected by hunting law, MLAs told

Alliance MLAs walk out of the chamber during a confidence debate in their farming minister Andrew Muir.

Stormont's opposition leader brands Alliance Assembly walkout a 'stunt'

The bill has been brought forward by Eoin Tennyson, the Alliance deputy leader

Trio of groups write to Assembly speaker seeking gender identity answers

Roger Pollen, head of FSB NI

View: FSB NI calls for political ‘delivery’ as election season approaches

From 2015, politicians, their staff and Assembly officials were allowed to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) free of charge at parliament buildings.

Revealed: The MLAs who booked Stormont's free car chargers the most

UUP MLA Robbie Butler. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Burrows orders MLA on £79,200 salary to 'reimburse' Stormont over free charging

MLAs told a recalled Assembly that the U-turn on the withdrawal of summer schemes was emblematic of 'Executive chaos'

Givan and Nesbitt apologise to families over summer scheme U-turn ‘distress’

Education Minister Paul Givan said some politicians were looking to “exploit” the issue and accused Sinn Fein of “using children to pursue their vendetta” against Israel and Donald Trump.

MLAs hit out at ‘Executive chaos’ after U-turn on special school summer schemes

Protesters wave Iranian flags as another holds up an image of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by a U.S. airstrike in Tehran, during a symbolic funeral in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Sinn Fein 'sure to be found facing the other way' on dictators - DUP

The TUV is seeking the release of contemporaneous notes of a private meeting between Paula Bradshaw and Michelle O'Neill.

Gaston pushes for release of meeting notes at heart of Stormont row

The Assembly was effectively suspended due to DUP protest action over post-Brexit trading arrangements for two years. It followed a three-year suspension after Sinn Fein collapsed the Assembly from 2017-2020.

Stormont leaders ‘prioritising division over delivery’ two years in

Paula Bradshaw and Timothy Gaston have had various disputes over her handling of a Stormont committee.

Assembly announces Timothy Gaston faces proposed two day suspension

Gas fuelled power stations like Kilroot have had output capped under the NI climate act - raising concerns about security of supply.

Nesbitt backs Stormont's controversial net zero targets - for now

A memorial for Turning Point USA CEO and co-founder Charlie Kirk is seen at Utah Valley University, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Assembly parties condemn Charlie Kirk murder

East Londonderry UUP Association Chairman Robert Carmichael.

Political opinion: UUP urges Assembly to combat pollution

Teddy bears, tributes and flowers have been left near the scene where Sarah Montgomery died at her home in Donaghadee, County Down

MLAs raise concerns over violence against women after Sarah Montgomery murder
The epidemic of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland is worsening, the Assembly has been told.
Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Campaigners call for action on child poverty at Stormont. Credit: Hannah Christie at Hyperfocus Creative

62,000 children in Northern Ireland face hunger and hardship. We need to turn wo...

Charity staff and food bank volunteers present Stormont with an invoice for the cost of inaction on child poverty

Charities demand the Assembly tackle child poverty or face 5bn bill

A simple majority is needed, so that the Assembly appears to have its say, but nationalists and pro-EU fanatics are guaranteed to win

Owen Polley: Gerrymandered Stormont vote on sea border will ensure more EU pain

Pipe exhaust car smoke emission

Miller and Carmichael urge Assembly to combat pollution

First Minister Michelle O'Neill faced down the chair of a shambolic Stormont committee this week, and refused to answer questions. Photo:Northern Ireland Assembly/PA Wire

First Minister to decide whether controversial meeting minutes will be released

Former Sinn Fein press officer Michael McMonagle, 42, admitted a series of offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. Photo: PA/PA Wire.

Questions over who in SF is responsible for sex offender's Stormont pass

DUP MLA Johnny Buckley was one of several from his party who strongly condemned the violence of recent days, but insisted that his constituents find difficulties in accessing public services - in part due to immigration.

MLAs reject 'right to protest as a pillar of democracy'

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, of the DUP, said there were real legal difficulties in defining conversion therapy for legislation.Photo: PA

Assembly votes for ‘conversion therapy’ ban again - but minister demurs

A report last month recommended a comprehensive expert review of how NI Water is funded and governed

Northern Ireland Water needs correct funding – Utility Regulator chief

Actor and director Michael Sheen

Friday TV choice: The Assembly (BBC One, 10.40pm)

Health minister Robin Swann - along with Justice Minister Naomi Long - want to extend certain powers under the Coronavirus Act 2020.

Stormont rejects extending some Covid powers
Stormont has rejected an extension of emergency health powers first introduced at the height of the pandemic – but kept emergency covid legislation allowing live video links in courts.
David Thompson

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood (centre), with South Belfast MP Claire Hanna (left) and Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole lead their MLAs into Stormont ahead of the first official Opposition day, following the decision by the SDLP to go into Opposition. Photo: Rebecca Black/PA Wire

Sinn Fein, DUP, TUV accused of ‘blocking Assembly reform’ as SDLP motion falls

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Assembly urged to combat pollution

Outgoing speaker of the Assembly Alex Maskey says he wishes the public could see the friendships which exist across the floor of the house.
Picture By: Arthur Allison: PacemakerPress.

Alex Maskey's farewell as he stands down as speaker of Assembly

Pacemaker Press Belfast 15-01-2024: Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is to hold further talks with the Stormont parties on efforts to restore devolved government. A series of one-to-one meetings are scheduled to take place on Monday at Hillsborough Castle.
The DUP delegation of leader Jeffrey Donaldson, Gavin Robinson and Emma Little-Pengelly has arrived to the talks to shouts from protesters.
Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

DUP leader urges government to release funding for public sector pay awards

File photo dated 07/11/22 of a general view of Carson Statue and Parliament Buildings at Stormont Estate, in Northern Ireland, as the Government has made clear the restoration of powersharing in Northern Ireland is an "absolute priority".

Assembly to be recalled this week in bid to back public sector pay

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced the Windsor Framework earlier this year. The Stormont Brake was a key selling point - as it give a limited say to Stormont politicians over EU laws applicable to NI. Photo: PA.

Elliott: Stormont Brake ‘unworkable and mis-sold’

Irish language campaigners at a protest in Hillsborough in May 2022

£120k bill for Irish interpretation service at dormant Assembly 'scandalous'

UUP leader Doug Beattie has come under fire after accusing the DUP of whining like "girls" during an assembly debate.

Beattie’s whining like a girl remark 'fell well short' of expected standards

The Stormont Assembly is to be recalled as rival parties attempt to ramp up the pressure on the DUP to end its boycott of powersharing.

Stormont Assembly recalled as DUP rivals urge party to drop devolution boycott

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood (left) with MLA Matthew O’Toole who will be nominated to lead the opposition

SDLP wants to form an opposition at Stormont Assembly

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 13th May 2022 - MLAs pictured in the Assembly Chamber, at Parliament Buildings, Stormont Estate at the first sitting of the new mandate. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Stormont recall: DUP accuses SDLP of ‘trying to make themselves relevant’

Lord Trimble with his wife Daphne after the unveiling of his portrait by Colin Davidson at Queen's Management School, Riddel Hall in Belfast

Lord Trimble hails survival of Belfast Agreement as his portrait is unveiled

Overseas partners with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland at the 2022 General Assembly in Belfast. Left to rigt Prof Zoltan Literaty a minister in the Hungarian Reformed, Percy Patrick of the Gujarat Diocese of the Church of North India, Amon Chanika, Director of Scripture Union in Malawi with Rev Edwin and Anne Kibathi of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa.

Presbyterians hear how £1.1m spent in Ukraine

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said that unionists ‘cannot stand accused of lacking patience’ over action on the NI Protocol

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson: DUP will not nominate a speaker when Assembly meets

People from the Northern Ireland farming Community gather outside Stormont ahead of a debate on NI Minister for Agriculture Edwin Poots' Climate Change Bill.

Climate bill step closer to passing

Daithi McKay called on the Assembly to pass climate change legislation before it breaks up before the election

Climate change: Poll shows 61% support in NI for 2045 net-zero target

Brandon Lewis

Northern Ireland Secretary rules out early Stormont election

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

DUP challenges Finance Minister to commit to classroom air filters

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons with a mock-up of the Spend Local card before the scheme was launched

High street voucher: Deadline to spend £100 card extended

Getting a Covid injection

Robin Swann ‘slightly disappointed’ at Covid booster jab rate

Committee for Communities chair Paula Bradley. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

New bill at Stormont aims to protect tenants from rogue landlords

DUP MLA Diane Dodds

MLAs back call for governments to probe collusion

News Letter editorial

Time for action to bring children together at school

Shops face £1k fine over beer deal ads

Bar staff ‘will not finish work until 4.45am’ under new law – with no extra pay

DUP MLA Alex Easton.
Photo: Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

People ‘living in misery’ due to mould in rental properties

Sammy Wilson

DUP MP: We could pull out of Stormont if London imposes Irish act

LGBT campaigners picket a film screening at Townsend Presbyterian Church in Belfast in 2019 in which Matthew Grech told of his conversion to Christianity and leaving his LGBT identity.
Picture By: Arthur Allison.

'Gay cake' lobby groups threatens legal action over gay conversion therapy

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