Latest releases
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4,778 releases
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Neurology families deserve accountability and demonstrable change – McGuigan
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA says the RQIA Neurology Deceased Patients Review findings are deeply concerning and calls on the Health Minister and Department to set out action, responsibility and evidence of change across all Trusts.
Health Issue: RQIA Neurology Deceased Patients Review findings Original release: Neurology families deserve accountability and demonstrable change – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must respond urgently to rise in infant mortality rate
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA calls for an urgent Health Minister response to a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report showing rising infant mortality in the region. He says he will write to the minister seeking a funded plan for the College's recommendations…
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics State of Child Health 2026 report on infant mortality Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must respond urgently to rise in infant mortality rate (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister announces £1.25million for community cancer support
Health Minister Robbie Butler announces a £1.25million second-year Cancer Charities Grant Scheme with Macmillan Cancer Support, funding community wellbeing, rehabilitation, transport and practical support for people affected by cancer.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Health Minister announces £1.25million for community cancer support (opens in a new tab)
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Better planning and flexibility needed in pre-school admission – Mason
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Childcare Cathy Mason criticises Education Minister Paul Givan's decision to remove priority nursery admission for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. She calls instead for greater planning, funding and places in areas with shortages.
Education Issue: Education Minister immediate changes to pre-school Socially Disadvantaged Circumstances criterion Original release: Better planning and flexibility needed in pre-school admission – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Falling reading standards demand more books and fewer screens says Burrows
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says reversing falling reading standards, after PISA results showed Northern Ireland's average reading score dropping over the past decade, needs more reading, less screen time, early-years support and less bureaucracy for teachers.
Education Issue: PISA results showing decline in Northern Ireland reading scores Original release: Falling reading standards demand more books and fewer screens says Burrows (opens in a new tab)
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Yet another Creswell victim let down by incompetence in investigation, says McAllister
Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes a Police Ombudsman report finding the PSNI failed a 2016 complainant over an indecent exposure allegation against Jonathan Creswell. She calls for full transparency, an explanation of why misconduct recommendations are not being followed, and a…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman findings on PSNI handling of 2016 Creswell complaint Original release: Yet another Creswell victim let down by incompetence in investigation, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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GAA lack of commitment to equality to blame for McAleese departure – Joanna Byrne TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Joanna Byrne TD blames the GAA for Dr Mary McAleese's resignation as chair of the Integration Committee, claiming the association has backed away from a workable deadline and from equality. She calls for the GAA to appear before the committee and urges it to restore the…
Disability and equality Issue: Mary McAleese resignation as Integration Committee chair Original release: GAA lack of commitment to equality to blame for McAleese departure – Joanna Byrne TD (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Rural isolation must never mean suffering in silence
UUP Agriculture and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA, during Rural Crime Week, highlights barriers facing rural domestic abuse victims, including distance from refuges and farm ownership issues, and asks the Justice Minister to check whether rural victims get equal refuge and…
Justice and policing Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Armstrong: Rural isolation must never mean suffering in silence (opens in a new tab)
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Middleton welcomes fairer pre-school admissions for working families
DUP MLA Julie Middleton welcomes Education Minister Paul Givan's immediate changes to the Socially Disadvantaged Circumstances admissions criterion for pre-school places, ahead of its proposed legislative removal, and urges parents and providers to respond to the consultation.
Education Issue: Education Minister immediate changes to pre-school Socially Disadvantaged Circumstances criterion Original release: Middleton welcomes fairer pre-school admissions for working families (opens in a new tab)
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Givan levels playing field in pre-school admissions for hard working…
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed that only benefits named in the outgoing regulations will count for priority in next year's pre-school admissions, ending the reading-in of replacement benefits. He announced this alongside a public consultation on the Socially Disadvantaged…
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Education Minister immediate changes to pre-school Socially Disadvantaged Circumstances criterion Original release: Givan levels playing field in pre-school admissions for hard working… (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes trust purchase of St Columb’s Hall
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood welcomes National Lottery funding that will bring St Columb's Hall in Derry into the ownership of the St Columb's Hall Trust, allowing a substantial redevelopment to begin. He says the restored venue will return the whole building to public use.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: National Lottery funding for St Columb's Hall trust ownership Original release: Eastwood welcomes trust purchase of St Columb’s Hall (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the DUP is using renewed Drumcree controversy to divert attention from the Executive's failure to pass a Budget, as public services face uncertainty. He calls on the DUP and Executive ministers to agree a Budget and address health, waiting…
Public finance and taxation Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parading dispute and Executive Budget impasse Original release: O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart: It's not the flag on the lamppost, it's whether the lamppost works
UUP Infrastructure Spokesperson John Stewart MLA says the party will vote against the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill at Second Stage, arguing it forces the Department for Infrastructure to judge cultural symbols instead of fixing roads, street lighting and drainage.
Community relations and legacy Infrastructure and transport Issue: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill Second Stage Original release: Stewart: It's not the flag on the lamppost, it's whether the lamppost works (opens in a new tab)
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Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises?
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says a Health Minister's review of an earlier review fails to meet UUP leader Jon Burrows' promises on change and transparency. She questions the document's authorship and asks how far Department of Health officials shaped it.
Health Issue: Health Minister's review of a previous review Original release: Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises? (opens in a new tab)
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Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall!
Aontú opposes Belfast City Council's decision to light up Belfast City Hall for International Safe Abortion Day, calling it shocking use of the building. It says Sinn Féin and the SDLP councillors who backed the lighting have abandoned pro-life principles and calls for support for mothers instead.
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall lighting for International Safe Abortion Day Original release: Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall! (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin backs trade union strike action as a way to press the Stormont establishment for higher pay, public service funding and cost of living support. He accuses MLAs of backing a 27% pay rise for themselves and calls for all-out action demanding a change of…
Economy and employment Education Original release: Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Long-overdue NI Water audit must deliver answers and accountability
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the long-overdue audit of NI Water governance but says its terms of reference must establish accountability over public money and the handling of whistleblower concerns. He warns against a toothless investigation and says the Executive cannot shift blame…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins forensic governance audit of NI Water Original release: McGlone: Long-overdue NI Water audit must deliver answers and accountability (opens in a new tab)
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NI Water's infrastructure is at capacity and holding Northern Ireland back
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA says NI Water's real crisis is wastewater capacity, not governance, blocking housing developments. He urges DfI to bring forward a funding plan now, alongside Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's forensic governance audit rather than after it.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins forensic governance audit of NI Water Original release: NI Water's infrastructure is at capacity and holding Northern Ireland back (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Minister refusing to face reality on climate targets
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA responds to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's Croke Park climate speech, calling for Northern Ireland's climate targets to be reviewed and revised, citing Climate Change Committee advice on an 82% reduction and Scotland's move to…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Environment Ireland Conference climate action speech Original release: Armstrong: Minister refusing to face reality on climate targets (opens in a new tab)
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Hospital reform must deliver better outcomes for patients – McGuigan
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA urges the Health Minister to ensure openness and public involvement in hospital service decisions, backing a proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee if it is truly independent and hears clinicians, patients and communities. He says he will…
Health Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: Hospital reform must deliver better outcomes for patients – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)