We loved dropping into the One Young World legacy event in Stormont this week! Meeting the change makers of tomorrow.

I love watching young people grow in confidence due to events like this. Thank you to the OYW 2023 team for their focus on importance of peace & reconciliation.

Vital that we see funding allocated to #childcare in Education NI budget - this must be seen as an investment that underpins all other NI Executive priorities.
Childcare plays a key role in lifting families out of poverty, supporting parents to work, growing the economy + MORE!

⏱️💶

While we await ministers (hopefully) agreeing a Budget, SDLP Opposition has costed just some of the promises Exec parties have made in Assembly motions since Feb 👇

It's at least £1.5 bn...

Its time for the Executive to front up on priorities- and how they'll fund them

The South Bank Show made a film about Seamus Heaney in 1991, directed beautifully by Tony Knox. Here is a short clip of Heaney talking about Toome, ‘under bogwater and tributaries’ where ‘elvers tail my hair’

This is an #ALTingMatters how to post

Robbie Butler MLA raising the importance of ALT Northern Ireland Assembly x.com/robbiebutlerml…

The Belfast Telegraph article by Liam Tunney ✍️ on the ALT story: belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…
YouTube ALT how to: youtu.be/anUiaPa9jCQ?si…

Screen grab to set an ALT reminder:

I’ve heard similar comments from right wing Tories in Westminster.

There’s nothing progressive about this politics - it’s populist dog whistling and people can see it from a mile off.

I've spoken to the PSNI in relation to the ongoing incident at Wellington College and Carolan Road, off the Ormeau Road. My understanding is that there is nothing sinister involved and hopefully it can be resolved routinely.

Claire Hanna | Matthew O'Toole

Since the Irish state only has one land border, and I thought Sinn Féin shared my aspiration to keep it open until it can be removed, they'd be better off avoiding this kind of pandering to the hard right.

*with a dose of anti-EU sentiment thrown in for good measure.

'No apology for Trump, for Enoch Powell, or Lee Anderson? You're unfit to be the Mayor.'

Sadiq Khan challenges Susan Hall on her 'record of dividing communities'.

Wonderful initiative from Queen's University Belfast 🎓. Supporting and sustaining Palestinian academics and students in the most trying of circumstances. Very proud to see this from South Belfast's world leading institution.

SDLP's Matthew O'Toole used to work in the bar of Downpatrick Cricket Club.
The late John Hume & Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness were also cricket fans.
News of Cricket Ireland test match at Stormont in July has been welcomed. 🏏☘️

Delighted to hear this news, after some queries were raised over funding, and well done all Cricket Ireland who worked to make it happen🏏👏

I asked the Justice Min whether she was consulted on her perm sec moving to EA without any internal or external competition, against best practice and RHI inquiry findings, but formally proposed by her Alliance party colleague on the EA board.

Her answer was disappointing...

Wouldn't normally retweet articles for the sake of disagreeing but it's important to challenge this one.

Jarlath Burns offered historical context and personal experience while engaging openly with criticism, acknowledging fault and showing empathy.

A lesson in leadership.

🌍Planet vs Plastics. Which would you rather? This #EarthDay2024 is a time to highlight the health risk of plastic, to phase out single use plastics and create a more sustainable future for future generations ➡️
@sdlplive | Matthew O'Toole | Mark H Durkan | @SDLPYouth

Extremely jealous of everyone heading to Whitla Hall for Kevin McAleer's farewell gig.

One of the funniest men who ever drew breath.

What a happy and sunny but purposeful MeltedParentsNI march today.

The warm words about childcare support from the Executive parties need to be matched by firm plans and delivery.

The Opposition will keep pressing.

Trademarket is a success story. Great food, good beer (I even bought long-suffering team one tbis afternoon) and an incubator for new biz.

I've submitted questions to Department for Infrastructure asking the minister to facilitate a move to Bankmore Sq next door when the current lease runs out.