Press Releases http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/utility/rss-feeds/press-releases/ Press Releases http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/speaker-welcomes-increase-in-female-mlas/ Speaker welcomes increase in female MLAs The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mitchel McLaughlin MLA has expressed his delight at the significant increase in female Members returned during last week’s Assembly elections and stressed the importance of building on it. 2016-05-09T13:16:26Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-brings-brexit-concerns-to-the-fore/ Committee brings Brexit concerns to the fore The Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee (AERA) received briefings today from a number of agricultural and environmental stakeholders on the possible challenges and opportunities of the recent EU Referendum. 2016-06-30T13:27:46Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/renewable-heat-incentive-scheme-mistakes-must-never-be-repeated-says-committee/ Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme mistakes must never be repeated, says Committee The Assembly’s Committee for the Economy calls for the clear failures highlighted by the Audit Office report into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme to be urgently addressed. The highly critical Audit Office report indicated that there could be considerable cost to the taxpayer following serious systematic failings in the Scheme. 2016-07-06T16:17:11Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/speaker-newton-represents-assembly-at-dublin-somme-commemoration/ Speaker Newton Represents Assembly at Dublin Somme Commemoration The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Robin Newton MBE, MLA will be among those attending the Battle of the Somme Commemoration at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge in Dublin tomorrow. The event is being hosted by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. 2016-07-08T12:15:16Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/new-clerkchief-executive-takes-up-the-reins-at-northern-ireland-assembly/ New Clerk/Chief Executive takes up the reins at Northern Ireland Assembly Lesley Hogg, the new Clerk/Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly has taken up her post. 2016-07-08T12:46:08Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-expresses-concern-over-fish-kill-in-river-faughan/ Committee expresses concern over fish kill in River Faughan 2016-08-04T11:28:34Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-criticises-delay-in-issuing-blue-badges/ Committee criticises delay in issuing blue badges The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has criticised the delays in the issuing of Blue Badges for those with mobility problems. 2016-09-14T13:04:12Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/speaker-launches-creating-opportunities/ Speaker launches 'creating opportunities' The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Robin Newton, MBE MLA tonight welcomed Carl Frampton to Parliament Buildings for an event with young people. 2016-09-16T08:01:36Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-welcomes-online-blue-badges-applications/ Committee welcomes online blue badges applications The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has welcomed the introduction of online applications for blue badges. 2016-09-28T09:27:49Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/speaker-welcomes-new-secretary-general-of-the-commonwealth-parliamentary-association-to-parliament-buildings/ Speaker Welcomes New Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to Parliament Buildings 2016-09-30T14:45:10Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/assembly-speaker-unveils-cedar-foundation-as-new-charity-of-the-year/ Assembly Speaker Unveils Cedar Foundation as New Charity of the Year 2016-10-05T13:58:26Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-visits-connswater-community-greenway/ Committee visits Connswater Community Greenway The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has today visited the Connswater Community Greenway to see how the park is improving the quality of life for local people. 2016-10-05T15:54:29Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-expresses-concern-over-fish-kill-in-annsborough-river/ Committee Expresses Concern Over Fish Kill in Annsborough River 2016-10-11T16:41:21Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-hosts-reception-to-close-global-oba-summit/ Committee Hosts Reception to Close Global OBA Summit 2016-10-12T08:57:59Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/backlog-of-blue-badge-applications-still-a-problem/ Backlog of blue badge applications still a problem The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has criticised the Department’s handling of the backlog in issuing blue badges to those with mobility issues at their meeting today. 2016-10-12T10:18:49Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/pac-to-suspend-inquiry/ PAC to suspend inquiry The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has decided to adjourn today’s public session into the next phase of the Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry in order for all ongoing Departmental investigations to conclude. 2016-10-12T15:31:24Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/speaker-launches-art-exhibition-tour/ Speaker Launches Art Exhibition Tour 2016-10-18T08:54:33Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-visits-waterways-ireland-hq/ Committee visits Waterways Ireland HQ The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has today visited the Waterways Ireland headquarters in Enniskillen. 2016-10-19T10:40:14Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-presses-department-on-blue-badge-backlog/ Committee presses Department on Blue Badge backlog The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has pressed the Department on the way they are reducing the Blue Badge backlog at their recent meeting in Enniskillen. 2016-10-21T14:14:47Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-welcomes-funding-boost/ Committee welcomes funding boost The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has welcomed the £30 million funding boost for infrastructure detailed in the October Monitoring statement. 2016-10-26T10:35:10Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/pac-continues-its-inquiry/ PAC continues its inquiry The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has taken evidence from Ofgem on its Inquiry into the Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. 2016-10-27T08:24:45Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-welcomes-proposals-for-reform/ Committee welcomes proposals for reform The Assembly’s Health Committee has welcomed the joint publication of the Report the Expert Panel chaired by Professor Bengoa and the Minister’s document “Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together”. 2016-10-27T12:02:44Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-gets-behind-the-scenes-at-translink/ Committee Gets Behind the Scenes at Translink 2016-11-09T16:34:28Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/pac-hears-of-department-fact-finding-investigation/ PAC hears of Department fact finding investigation The Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee heard from the Economy Department’s Permanent Secretary as he resumed his evidence and answered further questions about the Non-domestic Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme which could potentially cost the public purse approximately £1.18 billion over 20 years. 2016-11-10T10:25:43Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/education-committee-lends-a-hand-to-support-anti-bullying-week-2016/ Education Committee ‘Lends a Hand’ to Support Anti-Bullying Week 2016 The Committee for Education in partnership with the Assembly Education Service has today launched a special interactive art initiative, as part of a range of Committee activities, to highlight Anti-Bullying Week 2016. 2016-11-15T17:20:00Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-welcomes-york-street-scheme-go-ahead/ Committee welcomes York Street Scheme Go-ahead The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has welcomed the plans to go ahead with the York Street Interchange Scheme announced yesterday by the Minister for Infrastructure. 2016-11-16T11:13:48Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-meets-eminent-scientists-at-queens-university/ Committee Meets Eminent Scientists at Queen’s University The Health Committee held its meeting this morning at the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen’s University, Belfast. 2016-11-17T18:15:25Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/planning-permission-may-be-needed-to-avail-of-farm-business-improvement-scheme-warns-committee2/ Planning Permission May Be Needed to Avail of Farm Business Improvement Scheme, Warns Committee The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee has highlighted that farmers may need to ensure that planning permission is in place or that they have already applied for the necessary permissions to avail of the new Farm Business Improvement Scheme (FSIB) Tier Two. 2016-11-22T14:24:25Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-welcomes-changes-for-blue-badge-holders/ Committee welcomes changes for Blue Badge holders The Committee for Infrastructure has welcomed the review of the renewal process for Blue Badge holders, announced yesterday by the Infrastructure Minister. 2016-11-22T14:30:39Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-takes-closer-look-at-coastal-erosion/ Committee takes closer look at coastal erosion The Committee for Infrastructure has today visited the Ards Peninsula to look at the problems of coastal erosion and to meet with members of the Ards Peninsula Coastal Erosion Group. 2016-11-23T16:07:36Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-hosts-road-safety-event/ Committee hosts road safety event The Committee for Infrastructure hosted an event last night to raise awareness of the importance of improving road safety and to contribute to the debate on the best way to lower road fatalities. 2016-11-24T13:33:25Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-visits-mobuoy-road-waste-site/ Committee visits Mobuoy Road waste site The Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee held its meeting today (Thursday 24 November) at Ebrington, where Members received an update from Departmental officials on illegal dumping and waste crime. 2016-11-25T09:52:24Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/economy-committee-commends-ni-year-of-food-and-drink-success/ Economy Committee Commends 'NI Year of Food and Drink' Success The Committee for the Economy held an event at Parliament Buildings today to mark the success of the 'Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink' initiative. In the month dedicated to 'Legacy and Learning', the Committee welcomed many award-winning local producers who showcased their skills and demonstrated how the campaign will help create a sustainable legacy for the local tourism and hospitality sectors. 2016-11-30T08:45:01Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-welcomes-decrease-in-blue-badge-backlog/ Committee welcomes decrease in Blue Badge backlog The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has welcomed the decrease in the backlog in processing Blue Badge applications. 2016-12-07T10:53:43Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-welcomes-start-of-york-street-scheme/ Committee welcomes start of York Street scheme The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has welcomed the start of legislation that will enable preparations for the York Street Interchange Scheme to begin. 2016-12-07T11:50:43Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/eighth-plenary-of-the-northsouth-inter-parliamentary-association/ Eighth Plenary of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association The eighth plenary session of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association (NSIPA) was held today in the Senate Chamber of Parliament Buildings. 2016-12-07T15:25:52Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-briefed-on-belfast-city-centre-traffic-solutions/ Committee briefed on Belfast city centre traffic solutions The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Infrastructure has today visited Belfast City Council where they heard from the Council, the Chamber of Commerce, Taxi Forum and the Roads Service. 2016-12-07T16:43:58Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-is-determined-that-inquiry-will-get-to-the-bottom-of-rhi-scheme/ Committee is determined that inquiry will get to the bottom of RHI scheme The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has reiterated its determination to get to the bottom of the issues in its inquiry into the non-domestic renewable heat incentive scheme. 2016-12-07T17:00:39Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/communities-committee-visits-local-homeless-projects/ Communities Committee Visits Local Homeless Projects The Committee for Communities visited two local homeless projects on the 8th December 2016 to mark Homelessness Awareness Week 2016. 2016-12-08T15:39:40Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-calls-for-joined-up-working/ Committee calls for joined up working The Committee for the Executive Office today called for a joined-up approach to ongoing scrutiny and monitoring of Government delivery in its report on the draft Programme for Government 2016-21. 2016-12-14T14:34:10Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/minister-invited-to-give-evidence-in-rhi-scheme-inquiry/ Minister Invited to Give Evidence in RHI Scheme Inquiry The Public Accounts Committee has agreed to invite Arlene Foster MLA to give evidence on its Inquiry into the Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. 2016-12-15T16:09:48Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-finds-little-progress-in-reducing-cost-of-legal-aid/ Committee Finds Little Progress in Reducing Cost of Legal Aid The Public Accounts Committee has found little progress has been made in reducing the cost of legal aid. The conclusion came in a report, published today, into Managing Legal Aid, which followed up on a previous Committee report issued in 2011. 2017-01-10T13:43:25Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-for-health-concerned-about-impact-of-political-situation-on-reform-of-health-and-social-care/ Committee for Health concerned about impact of political situation on reform of Health and Social Care 2017-01-13T10:01:21Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/4m-funding-for-york-street-interchange/ £4M funding for York Street Interchange The Committee for Infrastructure has welcomed the allocation of £4 million to the York Street Interchange Scheme and the announcement that the scheme development will now go ahead. 2017-01-25T11:08:42Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/committee-disappointed-with-translink-fare-hikes/ Committee disappointed with Translink fare hikes The Committee for Infrastructure has expressed its disappointment at a Translink fare hike at their last meeting before the election. 2017-01-25T11:16:33Z http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/session-2016-2017/assembly-to-mark-the-passing-of-former-deputy-first-minister-martin-mcguinness/ Assembly to mark the passing of Former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness Speaking today on the death of former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Robin Newton MBE MLA said: “While I am the Speaker of an Assembly in which Martin McGuinness played an integral part as a Member, Minister and deputy First Minister, I am mindful that today a family has lost a husband, a father, a brother and a grandfather. On behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly, I express my sincere condolences and sympathy to his family whom I know he held dear. 2017-03-21T17:09:25Z