Latest releases
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2,621 releases
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Minister must prioritise patient experience - Wilson
DUP MLA Gareth Wilson calls on the Health Minister to investigate the sharp rise in complaints across NI Health and Social Care Trusts, identify common themes and take steps to improve patient experience and restore confidence.
Health Issue: Record high complaints to NI Health and Social Care Trusts Original release: Minister must prioritise patient experience - Wilson (opens in a new tab)
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Gerry Kelly announces decision he will not contest the next Assembly election
Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly, North Belfast MLA, says he will step away from candidacy and retire at next year's Assembly election after serving since 1998. Michelle O'Neill pays tribute and says he will remain a valued Republican activist.
Other Constitutional affairs Issue: Gerry Kelly retirement announcement ahead of next Assembly election Original release: Gerry Kelly announces decision he will not contest the next Assembly election (opens in a new tab)
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De Faoite calls for all-island rollout of meningitis B vaccination programme
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Séamas de Faoite urges Health Ministers North and South to coordinate a single island-wide rollout after the JCVI advised a meningitis B jab for secondary-school-age young people.
Health Issue: JCVI meningitis B vaccination recommendation for secondary school age Original release: De Faoite calls for all-island rollout of meningitis B vaccination programme (opens in a new tab)
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Dáithí receives the gift of a new heart – Maskey
Paul Maskey MP welcomes news that Dáithí Mac Gabhann has had a heart transplant after more than seven years on the waiting list, and wishes him a swift recovery. He also thanks the donor's family and credits the Donate4Dáithí campaign and Dáithí's Law for changing organ donation across the North.
Health Issue: Dáithí Mac Gabhann heart transplant Original release: Dáithí receives the gift of a new heart – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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West Tyrone MP calls for the Department of Health to follow England’s lead on newborn SMA screening
West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley urges the Department of Health to adopt newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy, citing England’s recent rollout and arguing early diagnosis can dramatically improve outcomes for affected children.
Health Disability and equality Issue: England introduces newborn SMA screening programme Original release: West Tyrone MP calls for the Department of Health to follow England’s lead on newborn SMA screening (opens in a new tab)
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Slashing Apprenticeship Funding is a Political Choice. Reverse the Cuts.
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin calls on the Economy Minister to reverse cuts to apprenticeship funding, arguing they will hit care workers, construction workers and international care staff and worsen health and social care recruitment and retention.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Stormont Executive apprenticeship funding cuts Original release: Slashing Apprenticeship Funding is a Political Choice. Reverse the Cuts. (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Tech giants must be held accountable for online harm
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes UK Government action to protect young people online but says it cannot replace holding tech companies accountable for harmful content, addictive product design and profit from engagement. She calls for platforms to be made safer by design, with meaningful…
Other Original release: Hanna: Tech giants must be held accountable for online harm (opens in a new tab)
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Sorca Clarke TD commends Nikki’s walking challenge and renews call for better dual diagnosis services
Sinn Féin's Sorca Clarke TD commends advocate Nikki's walking challenge for highlighting gaps in services for people with dual diagnosis of mental ill-health and substance misuse. She says the Government rejected Sinn Féin's amendments to the Mental Health Act 2026 that would have recognised dual…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Mental Health Act 2026 dual diagnosis amendments rejected by Government Original release: Sorca Clarke TD commends Nikki’s walking challenge and renews call for better dual diagnosis services (opens in a new tab)
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Dickson expresses sympathy to families whose homes were burned down in Greenisland fire
Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson expresses sympathy to families whose two homes were destroyed by fire in Greenisland, thanks neighbours and the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, and calls for a full investigation into the cause.
Other Issue: Greenisland house fire on 11 July 2026 Original release: Dickson expresses sympathy to families whose homes were burned down in Greenisland fire (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent need to improve early diagnosis and treatment for lobular breast cancer – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen expresses support for the Lobular Moonshot Project, calling for urgent improvements in early diagnosis and targeted treatment of lobular breast cancer, and for investment in research on the condition on the first anniversary of Dr Susan Michaelis's death.
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Cullen calls for immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls for the immediate, unconditional release of Palestinian surgeon Hussam Abu Safiya, held without charge since December 2024, warning his life is at grave risk and urging an independent medical assessment.
International affairs Health Original release: Cullen calls for immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP secures council support for restoring emergency general surgery to SWAH
SDLP secured Fermanagh and Omagh District Council backing for a motion urging Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to set a timetable to restore emergency general surgery at South West Acute Hospital, citing patient hardship and calling for political will.
Health Local government Issue: Restoring emergency general surgery at South West Acute Hospital Original release: SDLP secures council support for restoring emergency general surgery to SWAH (opens in a new tab)
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Clacton Must Reject Farage’s Establishment Politics of Hate for Good
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll responds to Nigel Farage's resignation as MP for Clacton, which triggers a by-election, calling him a grifter and corrupt establishment figure. He urges Clacton voters to reject his politics of hate and division, and Reform and Restore Britain.
Other Issue: Nigel Farage resignation triggering Clacton by-election Original release: Clacton Must Reject Farage’s Establishment Politics of Hate for Good (opens in a new tab)
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Fund North Sea Energy, Not Sun-Dimming Projects: Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart calls on the Government to direct funding towards North Sea energy and practical help for families and businesses facing high energy bills, rather than solar geoengineering projects, after a government-funded agency allocated £50m in grants for them.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Government-funded agency £50m solar geoengineering grants Original release: Fund North Sea Energy, Not Sun-Dimming Projects: Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Yet more waste of public resources within our health estate without long term plan inexcusable, says Donnelly
Alliance health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA says the Department of Health has failed to maintain Northern Ireland's health estate properly, calling the waste of public money on it inexcusable given the absence of an overall plan.
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Strong evidence now supports a Regional Mental Health Crisis Service – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says the Health Minister should prioritise funding for a Regional Mental Health Crisis Service, citing a report that the crises cost over £45 million annually, emergency visits are up 74 % and could save £9 million each year.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Report on Regional Mental Health Crisis Service economics Original release: Strong evidence now supports a Regional Mental Health Crisis Service – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Audit report confirms Health estate is not fit for purpose – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Comptroller and Auditor General's report shows years of underinvestment and poor strategic planning in the Health estate, citing Holywell in Antrim. He says vacant buildings worth nearly £40 million have sat unused and calls on the Minister to bring forward a…
Health Issue: Comptroller and Auditor General report on Health estate Original release: Audit report confirms Health estate is not fit for purpose – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Crumbling health estate threat to patients and staff
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the crumbling health estate threatens patients and staff after an Audit Office report found just 40% of buildings in acceptable condition. He calls for a long-term strategy and blames successive Health Ministers and the Executive for…
Health Issue: Comptroller and Auditor General report on Health estate Original release: McGrath: Crumbling health estate threat to patients and staff (opens in a new tab)
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DoH must get to grips with ‘shocking’ breast cancer waiting times, says McAllister
Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Department of Health to redouble efforts on breast cancer waiting times after new statistics showed only 8% of urgent suspected-cancer referrals were seen within the 14-day target. She urges the Minister to increase system capacity and…
Health Issue: Breast cancer urgent referral waiting times statistics 2026 Original release: DoH must get to grips with ‘shocking’ breast cancer waiting times, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray welcomes new Strategic Group to protect Mourne Mountains by DAERA Minister
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's establishment of a Strategic Group for the Mournes, chaired by the Minister with cross-departmental representatives and a Forever Mournes Partnership observer. He says a coordinated approach is needed to address parking…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA Strategic Group established for the Mournes Original release: McMurray welcomes new Strategic Group to protect Mourne Mountains by DAERA Minister (opens in a new tab)