Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
3,125 releases
-
Allister urges Minister to reject Trust proposals for Causeway Hospital
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, has written to the health minister urging him to reject the Northern Trust's plan to move emergency general surgery from Causeway Hospital to Antrim Area Hospital. He calls for the Trust to publish the data behind its decision, citing claimed…
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency surgery removal UUP leader comments Original release: Allister urges Minister to reject Trust proposals for Causeway Hospital (opens in a new tab)
-
UUP cannot maintain fiction that there is a separation of party and policy on future of Causeway Hospital
North Antrim MP Jim Allister calls on UUP leader Jon Burrows to clarify whether his party backs his stated position on the future of Causeway Hospital, and whether Health Minister Mike Nesbitt is committed to the Causeway. He says the UUP cannot separate party and policy on the issue.
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital future and UUP party position Original release: UUP cannot maintain fiction that there is a separation of party and policy on future of Causeway Hospital (opens in a new tab)
-
Sodium Valproate families deserve recognition, support and redress – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says families affected by sodium valproate deserve recognition, support and redress. She calls on the British Government to clarify its response to the Cumberlege Review and Hughes Report, and on the Northern Ireland Department of Health to gather data on those harmed.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Sodium Valproate families deserve recognition, support and redress – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
-
New driver licensing changes will help make our roads safer – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes new driver licensing and testing reforms from 1 October 2026, which she says are the biggest change in over 70 years and aim to better prepare learners and newly qualified drivers for independent driving.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Driver licensing and testing reforms from 1 October 2026 Original release: New driver licensing changes will help make our roads safer – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
-
O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt shows the Executive lacks a serious approach to government, and calls it an insult to healthcare workers and patients. He links it to the failure to agree a Budget and to internal party disputes.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive (opens in a new tab)
-
Leadership means more than making speeches: Bradley
DUP East Londonderry MLA Maurice Bradley says the UUP must show its opposition to ending emergency surgery at Causeway Hospital is more than rhetoric. He challenges UUP leader Jon Burrows to use his leadership influence, and asks why the UUP health minister remains in post if Burrows lacks…
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency surgery removal UUP leader comments Original release: Leadership means more than making speeches: Bradley (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes HSC Chief Executives' plans to speed up cutting agency staffing in the health service. He calls on the Health Minister and Executive to sustain the progress and plan permanent workforce recruitment and retention to avoid a return to…
Health Economy and employment Issue: HSC Chief Executives plan to accelerate reduction of agency staffing Original release: McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good (opens in a new tab)
-
PBP raise alarm on Translink £47M Shortfall
People Before Profit's Marc Mac Seáin says board minutes show Translink projecting a £47m loss for 2026/27 while consulting on service and fare cuts. He urges people to respond to the consultation and sign an Act Now petition, and says the party will campaign with trade unions for public transport…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink board minutes projecting £47m loss for 2026/27 Original release: PBP raise alarm on Translink £47M Shortfall (opens in a new tab)
-
Causeway Hospital needs words translated into action: Bradley
DUP MLA Maurice Bradley calls on the Health Minister to end uncertainty over Causeway Hospital and respond positively to the message from an open meeting in Coleraine Town Hall. He says the Trust has sought to remove services and that words must now become action.
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital open meeting in Coleraine Town Hall Original release: Causeway Hospital needs words translated into action: Bradley (opens in a new tab)
-
Huge number of Translink journeys for Fleadh another sign of its success – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly says over 1.7 million Translink journeys during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann show its success, with 620,000 more recorded than the same period last year. She commends Translink's planning and thanks its staff.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink journeys during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 Original release: Huge number of Translink journeys for Fleadh another sign of its success – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
-
Sinn Fein should stop blaming 1609 for A5 failure
West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan says Sinn Fein's claim that the Plantation of Ulster caused A5 delays is an attempt to avoid responsibility. He blames net zero targets and the Department's handling of landowners and compulsory purchase, and asks whether the First Minister agrees with Francie…
Infrastructure and transport Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Sinn Fein blaming Plantation of Ulster for A5 delays Original release: Sinn Fein should stop blaming 1609 for A5 failure (opens in a new tab)
-
Finucane welcomes Minister’s plans to pedestrianise Belfast
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's plans to expand pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre, including a consultation on the Eastern transport plan. He says the Fleadh showed public support for the change.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister's Eastern transport plan consultation on Belfast city centre pedestrianisation Original release: Finucane welcomes Minister’s plans to pedestrianise Belfast (opens in a new tab)
-
Kearney welcomes active travel scheme for Stiles Way, Antrim
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the start of site works on a £550,000 active travel scheme on Stiles Way, Antrim, providing a shared footway and cycleway from Junction One to the Springfarm Footbridge. He says the works, lasting 18 weeks from 10 August, will bring new toucan crossings and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Stiles Way, Antrim active travel scheme site works Original release: Kearney welcomes active travel scheme for Stiles Way, Antrim (opens in a new tab)
-
O’Toole: Opportunity to build on legacy of Fleadh can’t be squandered
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA urges the First Minister and deputy First Minister to act on proposals for Belfast after the 2026 Fleadh, including a car-free city centre, licensing reform, better transport, good relations funding and an annual music festival.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: 2026 Belfast Fleadh legacy proposals Original release: O’Toole: Opportunity to build on legacy of Fleadh can’t be squandered (opens in a new tab)
-
Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps
Alliance representatives across Belfast call on Belfast City Council, the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities and Translink to commission a comprehensive review of city centre pedestrianisation, building on the Fleadh Cheoil. South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl says…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Fleadh Cheoil pedestrianisation of Belfast city centre review call Original release: Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps (opens in a new tab)
-
Carroll Demands Recognition Payment for Fleadh Workers
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll calls for a gratitude payment for workers who kept the Fleadh running, including bar, retail, council and Translink staff. He argues the week showed transport changes and pedestrianisation were possible, and says the city needs multi-year cultural investment…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast Fleadh 2026 workers recognition payment Original release: Carroll Demands Recognition Payment for Fleadh Workers (opens in a new tab)
-
New Road Maintenance Strategy a game changer for motorists – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the new Road Maintenance Strategy announced by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, saying it will resurface whole patches with potholes, use a digital AI survey to predict deterioration, and boost funding and recruitment.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister publication of new road maintenance strategy Original release: New Road Maintenance Strategy a game changer for motorists – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
-
Binning Derry Air Dome Sports Facility is Premature and Reckless
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin calls the scrapping of the Ulster University Air Dome sports facility in Derry premature and reckless. He urges Economy Minister intervention and Executive support to deliver Magee expansion projects, and calls for accountability from the university and…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University Magee air dome project scrapped over funding pressures Original release: Binning Derry Air Dome Sports Facility is Premature and Reckless (opens in a new tab)
-
Ulster Unionist Party position on puberty blockers "remains firmly unchanged"
Ulster Unionist Party reiterates its opposition to prescribing puberty blockers to anyone under 18 and to any future involvement in the planned clinical trial, citing weak evidence and unknown long‑term risks, and welcomes the 2024 ban introduced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland suspension of puberty blocker trial participation Original release: Ulster Unionist Party position on puberty blockers "remains firmly unchanged" (opens in a new tab)
-
Lyons encourages people to get involved in European Heritage Open Days
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons encourages people across Northern Ireland to take part in this year's European Heritage Open Days on 12 and 13 September 2026, free of charge. He points to the 2026 programme and its theme, 'Heritage at Risk', which focuses on vulnerable or changing…