Latest releases
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3,482 releases
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Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says a certificate acknowledging pregnancy loss before 24 weeks would recognise bereaved families, and announces a motion at the Assembly on Monday backing a Baby Loss Certificate scheme. She welcomes the finance minister's commitment to review the scheme with the health…
Health Issue: Finance Minister review of early baby loss certificate scheme Original release: Introduction of baby loss certificate important for bereaved families – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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“Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says 628 patients were kept in hospital unnecessarily on 15 March despite being fit to leave, calls for a dedicated team to be put in charge of resolving the bed blockage immediately, and says the figure is likely higher.
Health Issue: Health Minister figures on patients medically fit for discharge remaining in hospital Original release: “Over 600 beds unavailable every day” – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Muir welcomes opening of opt-in Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme
Alliance Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir welcomes the launch of online sign-up for the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme, a payment support scheme that encourages beef farms to cut the slaughter age of finished cattle. He urges farmers to engage with his Department.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme online sign-up launch Original release: Muir welcomes opening of opt-in Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, says emergency crisis management in special educational needs placements has become the norm, after officials said almost 7,000 children need new placements and only 80 of 291 schools agreed to specialist provisions.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee briefing on SEN placements and specialist provisions in mainstream schools Original release: Unacceptable crisis management in special educational needs has become the norm, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Authority's leadership to listen to parents and prioritise children with special educational needs, ensuring those placed in September are placed on time. He calls for the education department to work with the health minister to overhaul SEN services…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Sheehan urges Education Authority to prioritise children with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart calls on Minister to prioritise introduction of baby loss…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart urges the Health Minister to prioritise introducing baby loss certificates in Northern Ireland, pointing to the scheme already in England, and says she has launched an online petition backing the proposal.
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Kimmins welcomes transfer of vasectomy services to GP practices
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes the health minister's announcement that vasectomy procedures are to move into GP surgeries, saying treatment closer to home will give patients earlier and easier access. She calls for continued joint work to transform health services.
Health Issue: Health minister announcement moving vasectomy services to GP practices Original release: Kimmins welcomes transfer of vasectomy services to GP practices (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly welcomes restoration of GP vasectomy services
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA welcomes the return of vasectomy procedures to GP practices after funding was withdrawn in 2023. He calls on the minister to reinstate funding for the full range of GP Elective Care Services.
Health Issue: Health minister announcement moving vasectomy services to GP practices Original release: Donnelly welcomes restoration of GP vasectomy services (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood launches cross-party skills group
Alliance Economy spokesperson Sorcha Eastwood announces a cross-party All Party Group on Skills, supported by the Open University, to examine northern Ireland's worst skills shortages. Its first inquiry will focus on skills in social care for an ageing population.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Eastwood launches cross-party skills group (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes commitment to review early baby loss certificates
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the Finance Minister's pledge to examine the scheme issuing baby loss certificates for losses before 24 weeks of pregnancy. She says parents and families need support during such distressing times and will keep working with the finance and health ministers.
Health Issue: Finance Minister review of early baby loss certificate scheme Original release: Dillon welcomes commitment to review early baby loss certificates (opens in a new tab)
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GB and NI face separate carbon tax because of Sea Border
TUV vice chairman Allister Kyle says a Politico report on separate UK and EU carbon taxes shows the Sea Border's consequences, warning Northern Ireland goods could face EU carbon paperwork and costs. He criticises the DUP's silence on the issue.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Politico report on separate UK and EU carbon taxes Original release: GB and NI face separate carbon tax because of Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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Senator Mal O'Hara welcomes cross-border rail funding
Green Party Senator Mal O'Hara welcomes a €165 million investment in Belfast-Dublin cross-border rail services, linked to the PEACEPLUS programme, and calls on a Northern Ireland Transport Minister to match Dublin's shift of spending towards public transport.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Dublin to Belfast rail services £140 million investment Original release: Senator Mal O'Hara welcomes cross-border rail funding (opens in a new tab)
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Stephen Dunne MLA sends best wishes to the Princess of Wales
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne uses a Matter of the Day in the Assembly to send best wishes to the Princess of Wales after her cancer diagnosis, and calls for her privacy to be respected during recovery.
Other Health Original release: Stephen Dunne MLA sends best wishes to the Princess of Wales (opens in a new tab)
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Almost 15,000 waiting for autism assessment
DUP MLA Diane Dodds, Upper Bann, says a Health Minister response shows almost 15,000 people are awaiting autism assessment, including over 11,000 children with waits up to four and a half years. She calls the waits unacceptable and urges the appointment of a Lead for Adult Autism and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister response on autism assessment waiting lists Original release: Almost 15,000 waiting for autism assessment (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey condemns ‘sickening’ racist graffiti
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey condemns racist graffiti daubed on a home in Finaghy, South Belfast, calling it a despicable attempt to intimidate and stir up hate. She urges political representatives to stand together against it and asks anyone with information to come forward as PSNI investigates…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Finaghy graffiti on South Belfast home threatening resident who spoke out Original release: Hargey condemns ‘sickening’ racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Mal O'Hara makes history as the first Northern Green to take a seat in Seanad Éireann
Green Party Northern Ireland leader Mal O'Hara says he is honoured to become a senator in Seanad Éireann, calling himself the first Northern Green to take a Seanad seat and stressing the need for Northern representation. He thanks parties that did not contest his seat and pledges to pursue social…
Other Issue: Mal O'Hara likely unopposed Seanad by-election win Original release: Mal O'Hara makes history as the first Northern Green to take a seat in Seanad Éireann (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl condemns those behind 'sinister' graffiti which appeared on South Belfast home
Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl condemns the 'sinister' graffiti on a home in Finaghy, calling it a threat to a local person who spoke out. She reports the graffiti to the PSNI, urges anyone with information to contact them, and calls on all parties to condemn racism together.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Finaghy graffiti on South Belfast home threatening resident who spoke out Original release: Nicholl condemns those behind 'sinister' graffiti which appeared on South Belfast home (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin launches Arts Survey – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD says the party wants views from artists, arts workers and the public as it drafts a comprehensive arts policy. The survey covers barriers, Arts Council, basic income and emigration, closing 30 April.
Other Issue: Sinn Féin arts policy survey launch Original release: Sinn Féin launches Arts Survey – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning adult ADHD services in NI of vital important, says McReynolds, after launching petition
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds calls on the Department of Health to commission adult ADHD services in Northern Ireland and to develop a comprehensive ADHD strategy, after launching a public petition to be presented to the Assembly’s Speaker.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition to commission adult ADHD services in NI Original release: Commissioning adult ADHD services in NI of vital important, says McReynolds, after launching petition (opens in a new tab)
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We are focused on the task ahead
DUP MP Gavin Robinson tells the media in Belfast that the party is concentrating on everyday concerns facing people across Northern Ireland, without naming a specific policy, decision or event.
Other Original release: We are focused on the task ahead (opens in a new tab)