Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Environment and climate: remove filter
- Social security and welfare: remove filter
- Health: remove filter
2,605 releases
-
NI Fiscal Council Report – Fix the roof, not apply more duct tape
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken says the NI Fiscal Council's report on Northern Ireland's sustainability shows finances need structural reform, not short-term fixes, and criticises the lack of urgency over the absence of a budget. He calls for a coherent case on funding levels.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Fiscal Council Sustainability Report publication June 2026 Original release: NI Fiscal Council Report – Fix the roof, not apply more duct tape (opens in a new tab)
-
Mallaghan calls for urgent clarity on support for Lough Neagh fishing communities
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan calls on DAERA to provide clear details of financial assistance for Lough Neagh fishing communities after new eel‑fishery measures were announced, saying the support must be fair, comprehensive and promptly communicated.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: New Lough Neagh eel fishery measures Original release: Mallaghan calls for urgent clarity on support for Lough Neagh fishing communities (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath challenges Minister on health workers' security
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says he pressed Health Minister Mike Nesbitt in an urgent Assembly question after racist disorder targeted health workers, and calls for protective measures, support for affected staff and assurances for migrant staff.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Belfast disorder after Monday knife attack Original release: McGrath challenges Minister on health workers' security (opens in a new tab)
-
Department of Agriculture must lift suspension on licences for importing poultry manure from the North – Martin Kenny TD
Sinn Féin's Martin Kenny TD calls on the Department of Agriculture to lift the suspension on licences for importing poultry manure from the North, which he says is hurting farmers on both sides of the border as fertiliser costs rise. He also urges the Irish Government to work with its Northern…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Suspension of poultry manure imports from Northern Ireland Original release: Department of Agriculture must lift suspension on licences for importing poultry manure from the North – Martin Kenny TD (opens in a new tab)
-
McGuigan condemns impact violent disorder is having on health service
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan condemns the impact of recent racist violence and intimidation on health staff, services and patients, saying workers are fearful and services are disrupted. He will urge the Health Minister to act so healthcare workers can work safely.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Recent racist violence and intimidation impact on health service Original release: McGuigan condemns impact violent disorder is having on health service (opens in a new tab)
-
Cullen raises serious concerns following RQIA report on Western Trust surgery pathways
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen voices serious concern after an RQIA inspection report on emergency surgical arrangements at the Western Trust, saying a temporary solution has lasted almost three years. He calls on the Trust to implement the report's recommendations and on the Department of Health to fund…
Health Issue: RQIA inspection report on Western Trust emergency surgery arrangements Original release: Cullen raises serious concerns following RQIA report on Western Trust surgery pathways (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: SWAH staff frightened to speak out
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath says a latest RQIA report on Emergency General Surgery pathways at the South West Acute Hospital shows strained services and frightened staff. He calls on the Department of Health to stop managing decline at SWAH and listen to frontline workers and communities.
Health Issue: RQIA report on Emergency General Surgery pathways at SWAH Original release: McGrath: SWAH staff frightened to speak out (opens in a new tab)
-
Stand by our Health Workers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chamber MLA calls for overseas health and social care workers to be supported and protected after a night of disorder in Belfast following Monday’s barbaric knife attack, and thanks police for their personal risk.
Health Immigration Issue: Belfast disorder after Monday knife attack Original release: Stand by our Health Workers (opens in a new tab)
-
Erskine - Stop using neonatal leave as a political wedge
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine accuses Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald of exploiting neonatal leave for political gain by linking it to the Employment Rights Bill. She says the issue was absent when the Bill was delayed for over a year and that standalone legislation remains an option.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Neonatal care leave extension to Northern Ireland linked to Employment Rights Bill Original release: Erskine - Stop using neonatal leave as a political wedge (opens in a new tab)
-
De Faoite: Belfast can do better on street waste
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Séamas de Faoite calls for the council to set a date for phasing out refuse bags left on city centre, university area and arterial street routes. He will ask the People and Communities Committee to agree a timeline, working with residents, businesses and…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: De Faoite: Belfast can do better on street waste (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Doctors should not pay the price for Executive failure
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says doctors and patients should not bear the cost of the Executive's failure to fund healthcare, after hospital doctors announced planned strike action later this month. He calls for urgent engagement to avoid escalation and deliver certainty…
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: McGrath: Doctors should not pay the price for Executive failure (opens in a new tab)
-
Lough Neagh fishermen must be properly supported by DAERA – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for appropriate financial support for Lough Neagh fishermen after DAERA announced further measures, including closing the yellow eel fishery for up to three years. He says fishermen should not bear the cost of the lough's ecological crisis.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA Lough Neagh yellow eel fishery closure measures Original release: Lough Neagh fishermen must be properly supported by DAERA – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
-
Dillon writes to Health Minister seeking clarity on availability of mirvetuximab soravtansine in north
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon writes to the Health Minister seeking clarity on whether mirvetuximab soravtansine, a drug that reduces side effects and extends life for terminal ovarian cancer, is available in the north, and urges a delivery timetable for women’s health.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Availability of mirvetuximab soravtansine for ovarian cancer in the north Original release: Dillon writes to Health Minister seeking clarity on availability of mirvetuximab soravtansine in north (opens in a new tab)
-
Refusal to fund respite care despite left over budget diabolical, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA criticises the Department of Health for refusing to fund extra respite beds at the NI Children's Hospice while over a quarter of the £13.1m children's respite budget went unspent. She calls on the Health Minister to work with the hospice to secure…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health refusal to fund NI Children's Hospice respite care Original release: Refusal to fund respite care despite left over budget diabolical, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
-
Waiting time progress welcome but long-term planning essential – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes progress on cutting patient waiting times in the year-end Elective Care Framework update, but says long-term planning, extra capacity and investment are needed. He wants quicker action on urgent cancer and other time-critical waiting lists.
Health Issue: Elective Care Framework year-end waiting times update Original release: Waiting time progress welcome but long-term planning essential – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Growing pressures shows safe staffing legislation cannot wait
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes new figures showing a record HSC workforce of 68,341 whole-time equivalent staff, but calls on the Health Minister to set a clear timetable for safe staffing legislation, citing rising agency nurse spending and ongoing pressures.
Health Issue: Health and Social Care workforce statistics on recruitment and vacancies Original release: McGrath: Growing pressures shows safe staffing legislation cannot wait (opens in a new tab)
-
O'Toole: Shocking scale of Budget crisis revealed by Minister
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says Finance Committee evidence from the Finance Minister and Permanent Secretary Neil Gibson shows the Stormont budget impasse threatens public sector pay, pensions and welfare payments. He accuses the Finance Minister of downplaying the crisis.
Public finance and taxation Social security and welfare Issue: Finance Committee evidence on Stormont budget impasse and spending limits Original release: O'Toole: Shocking scale of Budget crisis revealed by Minister (opens in a new tab)
-
Health and Social Care Statistics highlight scale of challenge facing our health service
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the latest health workforce statistics show the scale of pressure on the health service, with over 6,000 vacancies. He urges the Health Minister to introduce a properly financed workforce plan covering future need, more training posts, overseas recruitment where…
Health Issue: Health and Social Care workforce statistics on recruitment and vacancies Original release: Health and Social Care Statistics highlight scale of challenge facing our health service (opens in a new tab)
-
Lockhart leads Westminster delegation in push for life-saving MLD…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says she will lead a delegation to Westminster to press for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) to be added to the UK newborn heel-prick screening programme. She will meet Health Minister Sharon Hodgson and Conservative and Reform health spokespeople, and cites the Prime…
Health Issue: MLD inclusion in newborn heel-prick screening programme review Original release: Lockhart leads Westminster delegation in push for life-saving MLD… (opens in a new tab)
-
Bower welcomes motion passing on environmentally conscious public acts of remembrance
Alliance Belfast Councillor Christine Bower welcomes council's passing of her motion urging support for public remembrance acts that are safe and environmentally mindful, including designated memorial spaces in parks and greener events. Officers will research feasibility.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on environmentally mindful public remembrance acts Original release: Bower welcomes motion passing on environmentally conscious public acts of remembrance (opens in a new tab)