Latest releases
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3,059 releases
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Durkan: COP28 agreement on fossil fuels lacks substance
SDLP Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says the COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels lacks ambition and is weak without quantified targets. He calls for a watertight just transition plan and a corporate green levy on large companies.
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: COP28 agreement on transitioning away from fossil fuels Original release: Durkan: COP28 agreement on fossil fuels lacks substance (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to deliver new mental health strategies – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for an Executive to be formed now so parties can deliver new mental health and substance use strategies, citing a growing mental health crisis and rising waiting lists for support. She ties the delay to one party's boycott of the Assembly.
Health Issue: All Party Group meeting on addiction and mental health issues Original release: Executive needed to deliver new mental health strategies – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Allen Congratulates Wheelchair Users on Awards
UUP Communities spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA, a wheelchair user, congratulates this year's recipients of the fifth annual Jackie Magee memorial awards in Belfast. He praises the Northern Ireland Regional Wheelchair Service and says peer support and co-design are vital for inclusive services.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Jacqueline Magee Memorial Awards 2023 for wheelchair service recipients Original release: Allen Congratulates Wheelchair Users on Awards (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison welcomes education report but says change only possible if Minister in post
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA welcomes the independent review of education and its emphasis on investment, integrated schooling, SEN support and transfer reform, but says change needs an Education Minister in post and blames the DUP for the delay.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Independent Review of Education report launch Original release: Mathison welcomes education report but says change only possible if Minister in post (opens in a new tab)
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‘Despicable attacks on health workers must end’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says attacks on health and social care staff must end after latest figures showed more than 50,000 physical attacks across the north over five years. She calls for a zero-tolerance approach and welcomes Department of Health proposals to prevent, reduce and respond to…
Health Issue: Latest figures on physical attacks on health and social care staff Original release: ‘Despicable attacks on health workers must end’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance backs campaign to prevent violence and aggression in Health & Social Care
Alliance MLAs Danny Donnelly and Paula Bradshaw back a Department of Health campaign against violence towards health and social care staff, citing over 10,000 annual physical abuse incidents. Bradshaw calls for the Assembly to be restored so a Health Committee can scrutinise the issue.
Health Issue: Department of Health campaign against violence towards health staff Original release: Alliance backs campaign to prevent violence and aggression in Health & Social Care (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes new HPV cervical cancer screening
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomes the rollout of a new HPV-based primary cervical cancer screening programme, saying it reflects investment in prevention and early intervention. She says Northern Ireland is the last UK and Irish jurisdiction to introduce it due to budget constraints, and calls…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland HPV primary cervical cancer screening rollout Original release: Bradshaw welcomes new HPV cervical cancer screening (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader’s statement ahead of roundtable talks
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP calls for substantive dialogue at Monday's Hillsborough talks with the British Government, setting three priorities: restoring the Executive, a plan to rescue public services, and funding for public sector pay settlements.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Political roundtable meeting on restoring the Executive Original release: SDLP Leader’s statement ahead of roundtable talks (opens in a new tab)
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Fall in renewable energy rates in NI extremely disappointing, says Donnelly, following DfE report
Alliance's Danny Donnelly MLA says it is extremely disappointing that renewable energy's share of electricity fell in the last year, citing a Department for the Economy report showing 47.4% renewable consumption. He calls for a functioning Executive and possible reform of Stormont's institutions…
Environment and climate Issue: Department for the Economy report on NI renewable electricity consumption 2023 Original release: Fall in renewable energy rates in NI extremely disappointing, says Donnelly, following DfE report (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins expresses concern at adults with learning disabilities being overcharged in Trust
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says it is deeply concerning that Southern Health and Social Care Trust overcharged adults with learning disabilities for their utility bills and will write to the Department of Health to investigate and ensure reimbursements are promptly made.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Kimmins expresses concern at adults with learning disabilities being overcharged in Trust (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone meets Northern Trust to highlight concern at domiciliary care shortage
SDLP Rural Communities Spokesperson Patsy McGlone, joined by Moyola councillor Denise Johnston, has met the Northern Health and Social Care Trust over shortages of domiciliary care packages in Mid Ulster. He says the shortfall in staff and hours is keeping otherwise healthy patients in hospital…
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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)