Latest releases
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4,188 releases
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We should protect life: Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the NHS must focus on protecting life and the vulnerable ahead of Friday's Commons debate on assisted dying. She argues palliative care must be properly addressed, claims assisted suicide schemes widen over time, and says the bill's safeguards lack detail on preventing…
Health Issue: Commons debate and vote on assisted dying bill Original release: We should protect life: Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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‘Positive news’ medical students now able to access tuition fee loans for Magee – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes an announcement by Economy Minister Conor Murphy that graduate entry medical students at Magee can access tuition fee loans from September 2025. He says the change removes a barrier to study and supports staffing in health services.
Education Health Issue: Tuition fee loans for graduate entry medical students at Magee Original release: ‘Positive news’ medical students now able to access tuition fee loans for Magee – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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Assisted dying bill "an act of humanity for those facing the end of life" - Lesley Veronica
Green Party deputy leader Lesley Veronica backs the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill ahead of the Commons vote, rejecting claims it would undermine palliative care and citing other countries' figures on who requests assisted dying.
Health Issue: Commons debate and vote on assisted dying bill Original release: Assisted dying bill "an act of humanity for those facing the end of life" - Lesley Veronica (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong welcomes increased health support for people in receipt of Universal Credit.
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong welcomes plans to extend free sight tests, dental treatment and hospital travel help to Universal Credit claimants in Northern Ireland, saying realignment with the UK should happen within six months, followed by a six-week consultation.
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Universal Credit eyecare and health cost entitlement realignment with UK Original release: Armstrong welcomes increased health support for people in receipt of Universal Credit. (opens in a new tab)
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Other parties' decision to protect polluters shameful, says Blair, following AERA Committee vote.
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair calls the AERA Committee's rejection of tougher penalties for repeat waterway polluters "shameful", blaming Sinn Féin, DUP, UUP and SDLP for blocking the restrictions and demanding they account for their reversal on environmental protection.
Environment and climate Issue: AERA Committee vote on tougher waterway pollution penalties Original release: Other parties' decision to protect polluters shameful, says Blair, following AERA Committee vote. (opens in a new tab)
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Record health waiting lists product of political dysfunction, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says record diagnostic waiting list figures, showing 506,612 people awaiting specialist diagnosis as of September, reflect political dysfunction at Stormont. She calls on all parties to back health reform.
Health Issue: Quarterly diagnostic waiting list statistics published November 2024 Original release: Record health waiting lists product of political dysfunction, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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North Antrim MP joins All Party Parliamentary Group for British Buses
TUV MP Jim Allister says he has joined the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Buses to help shape government policy supporting the bus-building sector, which he says matters to North Antrim's economy. He calls for government investment in hydrogen infrastructure and says Wrightbus should…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Jim Allister joins All Party Parliamentary Group for British Buses Original release: North Antrim MP joins All Party Parliamentary Group for British Buses (opens in a new tab)
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Relevant decision makers must be held accountable for hospital fiasco…
Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds, the DUP's health spokesperson, welcomes the Belfast Trust and Department of Health being called to brief the Health Committee on the new Royal Victoria maternity hospital. She calls for accountability over delays, rising costs and bacteria in water pipework.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast Trust and Department of Health appearance before Health Committee on maternity hospital Original release: Relevant decision makers must be held accountable for hospital fiasco… (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn welcomes plan to improve addiction services
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes the health minister's newly launched plan to strengthen substance misuse support for vulnerable people and their families. She says drug and alcohol deaths continue, often in working-class areas, and calls for a Belfast-based residential rehab service.
Health Issue: Health minister's substance use plan launch Original release: Flynn welcomes plan to improve addiction services (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister calls for urgency in reforming children’s social care services.
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls for more urgency in reforming children's social care services, saying the lack of progress since the Ray Jones review's 53 recommendations is embarrassing and that the Health Minister and department must move faster.
Health Issue: Ray Jones children's social care review implementation conference Original release: McAllister calls for urgency in reforming children’s social care services. (opens in a new tab)
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McKeown urges public to support City Hall appeal for Palestinian medical aid and Children's Hospice
SDLP councillor Gary McKeown urges the public to donate at a charity box beside the Belfast City Hall Christmas tree, with this year's funds going to Palestinian medical aid and the children's hospice service.
International affairs Local government Original release: McKeown urges public to support City Hall appeal for Palestinian medical aid and Children's Hospice (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin urges Executive to do more to support women and girls
SDLP Opposition MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says the Executive must do more to support frontline services, after Women's Aid's annual report showed almost 11,000 referrals in 2023/24, up 600 on the previous year. She calls for greater investment across all departments.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Women's Aid annual report 2023/24 referrals increase Original release: McLaughlin urges Executive to do more to support women and girls (opens in a new tab)
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Eirgrid Project yet Another Example of Government Waste and a Litany of Broken Promises
Aontú Cllr Emer Tóibín, a Meath East candidate, says EirGrid's refusal to meet residents over its 17-year North-South project is wasteful and calls for government accountability for over €30 million in taxpayer spending. She also criticises government TDs for not co-signing Peadar Tóibín's…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: EirGrid refusal to meet communities over North-South Interconnector pylons Original release: Eirgrid Project yet Another Example of Government Waste and a Litany of Broken Promises (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Belfast Trust to take responsibility for hospital…
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds welcomes majority MLA support for a full independent inquiry into the new Royal Victoria regional maternity and children's hospital in Belfast. She says the Health Minister gave no real answers and only learned of the latest problems that morning, including gas…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly debate on independent inquiry into Belfast regional maternity hospital Original release: Time for Belfast Trust to take responsibility for hospital… (opens in a new tab)
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‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart
DUP MLA Carla Lockhart argues that the 'dignity' language used by assisted suicide campaigners, such as Dignity in Dying, is a misleading framing. She says legalising assisted suicide would lower the perceived worth of disabled, poor and homeless people, citing a Canadian poll on MAID eligibility.
Disability and equality Health Original release: ‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Full independent inquiry needed into hospital scandal – Dodds
The DUP's Diane Dodds MLA will bring an Assembly motion calling on the Health Minister to order a full independent inquiry into the Belfast regional maternity and children's hospital project, citing a delay of over ten years and costs more than £400 million above original estimates.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Full independent inquiry needed into hospital scandal – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives
Education Disability and equality Original release: Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath calls for independent inquiry into Maternity and Children’s Hospital
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA backs calls for a full independent inquiry into the Belfast Maternity and Children's Hospital, citing doubled costs, delays and possible opening beyond 2030. He says the Executive cannot be trusted to investigate itself.
Health Issue: Assembly debate on independent inquiry into Belfast regional maternity hospital Original release: McGrath calls for independent inquiry into Maternity and Children’s Hospital (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan welcomes funding for ‘life-saving’ defibrillators in schools
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the announcement that 600 schools will receive defibrillators, saying they will protect students, staff and the wider community. He calls for an emphasis on training and awareness and says the party will work to make the rollout quick and efficient.
Education Health Issue: Education Minister announcement on defibrillators for every school Original release: Sheehan welcomes funding for ‘life-saving’ defibrillators in schools (opens in a new tab)
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A Life-Saving Investment: Defibrillators to be provided to all…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces over £700,000 to fund and roll out defibrillators to around 600 schools across Northern Ireland, with all to be installed before the end of the academic year. The release cites a survey finding fewer than half of schools have one on site.
Education Health Issue: Defibrillator funding rollout for Northern Ireland schools Original release: A Life-Saving Investment: Defibrillators to be provided to all… (opens in a new tab)