Latest releases
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2,980 releases
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Murphy challenges Tory measures which will damage local economy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy says he has written to Home Secretary James Cleverly to challenge UK plans to restrict legal migration, warning they will damage the local economy and worsen staff shortages in health, social care, manufacturing and agri-food.
Immigration Economy and employment Issue: UK Government raise skilled worker salary threshold Original release: Murphy challenges Tory measures which will damage local economy (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to deliver for all communities – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly calls for full implementation of Acht Gaeilge, including appointment of a commissioner, marking one year since it became law. She says an Executive must be restored immediately to deal with a growing backlog of issues.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Acht Gaeilge one-year anniversary and call for commissioner appointment Original release: Executive needed to deliver for all communities – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to improve women’s healthcare – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls for the Executive to be restored without delay so a Women's Health Strategy can be delivered. She says there are no specialist services for endometriosis in the North, with women diagnosed late and not receiving proper treatment.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Executive needed to improve women’s healthcare – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Party backs Safer Ageing Week campaign to end abuse of older people
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, South Belfast MLA, backs Hourglass's Safe Ageing Week campaign on abuse of older people, arguing that the absence of a functioning Executive is holding back progress and calling for one to be formed alongside a strategy for older victims.
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Victims payments scheme must be victim focused – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart calls for the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme to be administered with victims as the priority, citing delays of up to 26 months. She asks the NI Affairs Committee to press the Secretary of State over backdating ending in August 2024 and over ineligibility for…
Community relations and legacy Social security and welfare Issue: Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme evidence to NI Affairs Committee Original release: Victims payments scheme must be victim focused – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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No place for racism or discrimination in our society – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey calls on the PSNI to step up efforts against racist and hate attacks in Belfast, including those targeting the Belfast Multi Cultural Association. She urges referral of alleged recordings of community leaders at the charity to the Police Ombudsman, and says Sinn Féin…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: BBC documentary revelations on racist attacks and PSNI recordings in Belfast Original release: No place for racism or discrimination in our society – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes the UK Government’s consultation on a smoke-free generation proposals
UK Ulster Unionist health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the UK Government's consultation on a smoke-free generation, arguing it gives Northern Ireland a chance to raise concerns about rising smoking and vaping, particularly among young people.
Health Issue: UK Government consultation on smoke-free generation proposals Original release: Chambers welcomes the UK Government’s consultation on a smoke-free generation proposals (opens in a new tab)
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Allen welcomes help with health cost notification but presses for further action
UUP MLA Andy Allen welcomes the notification to Universal Credit claimants about completing an HC1 form for help with dental and optical costs, but urges the Department of Health to develop a more seamless, longer-term solution.
Social security and welfare Health Issue: Universal Credit HC1 form notification for Help with Health Costs Original release: Allen welcomes help with health cost notification but presses for further action (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes victory for victims of contaminated blood scandal in Commons
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes a Commons amendment, backed by the opposition, that widens interim payments to more infected blood scandal victims and creates a new body to administer compensation. She calls for any new arrangements to be UK-wide and victims treated…
Health Issue: Commons amendment on infected blood scandal interim payments and compensation body Original release: Bradshaw welcomes victory for victims of contaminated blood scandal in Commons (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI actions with charity ‘disappointing’ says McAllister
Alliance's Policing Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls the PSNI's reported advice to a racially attacked charity to clarify its work to loyalist leaders deeply concerning. She says she will raise it at the Policing Board and that Kate Nicholl MLA will table it at the APG on Ethnic Minority…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: BBC documentary revelations on racist attacks and PSNI recordings in Belfast Original release: PSNI actions with charity ‘disappointing’ says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Migration plans will decimate health and social care system
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath warns that Westminster's proposed rise in the minimum salary threshold for overseas workers will deter health and social care recruitment, and says it will also harm manufacturing and agriculture. He says the SDLP will oppose the plans at Westminster.
Immigration Health Issue: UK Government raise skilled worker salary threshold Original release: McGrath: Migration plans will decimate health and social care system (opens in a new tab)
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Opt-out testing will help eliminate new HIV cases, says Bradshaw
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA urges a restored Executive to adopt England's goal of ending new HIV cases by 2030 and to explore opt-out testing, which she says has worked well in English pilots, on World AIDS Day.
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Executive needed to tackle chronic waiting lists – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy says it is extremely concerning that over one in four people are waiting for inpatient or outpatient appointments, citing new Department of Health waiting list figures showing 428,000 people. He blames a boycott of the Executive for blocking ministers from tackling the…
Health Issue: Department of Health waiting list figures release November 2023 Original release: Executive needed to tackle chronic waiting lists – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Gerry Adams expresses his sadness at death of Shane MacGowan
Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams expresses deep sadness and personal loss at the death of Shane MacGowan, offering condolences to his partner Victoria, his sister Siobhan and family. Adams calls him an extraordinary human being and a great patriot and poet.
Other Original release: Gerry Adams expresses his sadness at death of Shane MacGowan (opens in a new tab)
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Waiting list figures demonstrate need for fundamental change, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA warns that the latest waiting list figures show a need for fundamental public health change and calls for faster investment in primary care, better waiting list data and individual area plans, plus a new Executive.
Health Issue: Department of Health waiting list figures release November 2023 Original release: Waiting list figures demonstrate need for fundamental change, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart congratulates new NI Affairs Committee Chair
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, a Committee member, congratulates Sir Robert Buckland on becoming Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. She hopes he will ensure all viewpoints on the panel are heard, and says previous chairs have a mixed record on this.
Other Issue: Sir Robert Buckland elected Chair of Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Original release: Lockhart congratulates new NI Affairs Committee Chair (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín welcomes investigation by senior police into Michael Watt
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes a senior police investigation into former neurologist Michael Watt's clinical practice, urging former patients with concerns to contact officers via a new PSNI online reporting platform.
Justice and policing Health Issue: PSNI investigation into Michael Watt clinical practice Original release: Ní Chuilín welcomes investigation by senior police into Michael Watt (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to support cancer patients – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls for the Executive to be restored urgently, arguing a boycott is blocking the new cancer strategy and leaving patients waiting too long. She also backs introducing a lung cancer screening programme as soon as possible.
Health Issue: Calls for lung cancer screening programme in Northern Ireland Original release: Executive needed to support cancer patients – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly welcomes upskirting and cyber-flashing laws coming into effect
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes the commencement of new northern laws criminalising upskirting and cyber-flashing, and says enhanced offences on online child impersonation and sharing intimate images without consent will also take effect.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Upskirting and cyber-flashing laws come into effect in Northern Ireland Original release: Reilly welcomes upskirting and cyber-flashing laws coming into effect (opens in a new tab)
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Targeted lung cancer screening must follow progress in other areas, Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, South Belfast MLA, calls for targeted lung cancer screening in Northern Ireland to follow progress made elsewhere, citing England's early screening. She says she will write to the Department to ask why action is lagging.
Health Issue: Targeted lung cancer screening in Northern Ireland lagging behind England Original release: Targeted lung cancer screening must follow progress in other areas, Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)