Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Constitutional affairs: remove filter
- Health: remove filter
- Infrastructure and transport: remove filter
- Environment and climate: remove filter
4,978 releases
-
Council planning delays adding to the housing crisis, says Armstrong, following councils audit report.
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA raises concern that councils keep missing planning targets, citing a Local Government Auditor report showing 63% of major applications and around 62% of local applications exceeded statutory timescales, and urges councils to act.
Housing Local government Issue: Local Government Auditor report on council planning application timescales Original release: Council planning delays adding to the housing crisis, says Armstrong, following councils audit report. (opens in a new tab)
-
McMurray marks one year since devastating floods, stating there has been insufficient support provided to those affected.
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray marks one year since the Newry, Mourne and Down floods, saying aid for homes and businesses has been insufficient. He calls on the Department for the Economy to develop recovery plans and urges funding for a Flood Forecasting System and sewer improvements.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: One-year anniversary of Newry, Mourne and Down floods Original release: McMurray marks one year since devastating floods, stating there has been insufficient support provided to those affected. (opens in a new tab)
-
Flynn welcomes focus on improving health outcomes
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes the inclusion of parts of west Belfast's Falls and Shankill areas in the first phase of the 'Live Better' health programme. She says it will help improve health outcomes and calls for equal access to healthcare regardless of where people live.
Health Issue: 'Live Better' programme initial phase announcement for Belfast areas Original release: Flynn welcomes focus on improving health outcomes (opens in a new tab)
-
Robinson – “we must be persuaders for the Union”
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP urges unionists to persuade the undecided 'don't knows' on the Union, arguing a functioning Executive is needed. He cites a poll showing support for the Union at 48.6% and touts a childcare support scheme for 11,500 families.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Poll showing Union support below 50% for first time Original release: Robinson – “we must be persuaders for the Union” (opens in a new tab)
-
DUP MP Secures Government Commitment to Tackle Car Insurance Hikes in…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the UK Government has committed to including Northern Ireland in its new taskforce on rising car insurance premiums, after talks with Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. A November meeting with the Department for Infrastructure is planned.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Government taskforce on car insurance costs announcement Original release: DUP MP Secures Government Commitment to Tackle Car Insurance Hikes in… (opens in a new tab)
-
McAuley highlights British Heart Foundation defibrillator opportunity for Ballymoney
TUV Ballymoney Councillor Jonathan McAuley encourages local groups to apply for free defibrillators from the British Heart Foundation's Community Defibrillator Funding Programme, noting Newhill in Ballymoney is a priority area for applications.
Health Issue: British Heart Foundation community defibrillator funding call for Northern Ireland applications Original release: McAuley highlights British Heart Foundation defibrillator opportunity for Ballymoney (opens in a new tab)
-
Chaos at the Executive Office Committee
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says the Executive Office Committee meeting was a farce, claiming the First Minister refused to answer questions relating to the Executive Office and that none of the questions on Sinn Féin scandals were addressed. He calls on the DUP to resign the deputy First…
Constitutional affairs Issue: First Minister's appearance at Executive Office Committee Original release: Chaos at the Executive Office Committee (opens in a new tab)
-
Dodds welcome investment in provision for children with disabilities
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds, the Upper Bann MLA, welcomes new investment in services for children with disabilities and says it is long overdue. She calls for the recommendations of Professor Ray Jones's report on children's social care to be taken forward.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: Dodds welcome investment in provision for children with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
-
Chambers welcomes Health Ministers’ commitment to additional support for children with Disabilities
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the Health Minister's identification of up to £2m for this year, within up to £13m multi-year funding, to improve services for children with disabilities. He links it to the Spotlight documentary 'I am not okay' and praises the Minister's…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: Chambers welcomes Health Ministers’ commitment to additional support for children with Disabilities (opens in a new tab)
-
Neglect and underfunding of water infrastructure is impacting economic growth, house building and our environment, says McMurray
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew McMurray MLA says chronic underfunding of NI's water and wastewater infrastructure is harming health, growth, housing and the environment, and launches the In Deep Water policy paper with proposed alternative funding and governance for NI Water.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Alliance 'In Deep Water' water infrastructure policy paper launch Original release: Neglect and underfunding of water infrastructure is impacting economic growth, house building and our environment, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
-
McAllister welcomes announcement from Health Minister outlining plans to improve services for children with disabilities, stating it shouldn’t have taken this long.
Alliance Health spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes the Health Minister's plan to invest in children's disability services, including more short breaks and community family and behavioural supports. She says the funding is long overdue and asks for clarity on multi-use…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: McAllister welcomes announcement from Health Minister outlining plans to improve services for children with disabilities, stating it shouldn’t have taken this long. (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath welcomes funding to support respite for children with disabilities
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath welcomes £13m multi-year funding from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to increase short break respite for children with disabilities. He says he will seek urgent clarity on the impact on other health services.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: McGrath welcomes funding to support respite for children with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Time for action to cut vaping in schools’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes an Assembly motion urging the education and health ministers to draw up a plan against vaping among pupils, citing principals asking for help and harm to young people.
Education Health Issue: Assembly motion on tackling vaping in schools Original release: ‘Time for action to cut vaping in schools’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
-
Action must be taken on Daisy Hill and Craigavon maternity units:…
DUP Health Spokesperson and Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds welcomes the Department of Health's independent review of midwifery services, but presses the Health Minister to ensure Daisy Hill and Craigavon maternity units are fully staffed and can operate effectively, and questions Southern Trust…
Health Issue: Independent review of midwifery services and Daisy Hill maternity staffing Original release: Action must be taken on Daisy Hill and Craigavon maternity units:… (opens in a new tab)
-
A Sinn Féin government would prioritise planning for Irish unity – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin's foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Carthy TD says the next government must prioritise preparing for Irish unity, proposing a green paper, a Citizens' Assembly and a Minister for Reunification in the Department of An Taoiseach, citing an Irish News poll showing rising support for unity.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish News poll on Irish unity and constitutional change Original release: A Sinn Féin government would prioritise planning for Irish unity – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Incoming Irish government must make planning for Irish unity a priority’ – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes says a poll in the Irish News shows growing demand for decisions on the island of Ireland to be taken at home. He calls on the incoming Irish government to prioritise planning for constitutional change, including a green paper on Irish unity and a Minister for…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish News poll on Irish unity and constitutional change Original release: ‘Incoming Irish government must make planning for Irish unity a priority’ – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
-
Interim report on drugs "positive to see progress on saving lives and reducing harm" - Senator O'Hara
Green Party Senator Mal O'Hara welcomes an Oireachtas joint committee interim report on drugs, which recommends a health-led approach, repealing Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997 and decriminalising possession of all substances for personal use. He urges the Executive parties in Northern…
Health Justice and policing Issue: Oireachtas joint committee interim report on drugs policy Original release: Interim report on drugs "positive to see progress on saving lives and reducing harm" - Senator O'Hara (opens in a new tab)
-
Urgent action needed in terms of approach to HIV and ending stigma, says Harpur, proposing motion.
Alliance Castlereagh South Councillor Jamie Harpur calls on Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to back a motion recognising the urgent need to end HIV and its stigma, including joining the HIV Fast Track Cities initiative to end the epidemic by 2030.
Health Local government Issue: Lisburn and Castlereagh council HIV motion on ending stigma and epidemic Original release: Urgent action needed in terms of approach to HIV and ending stigma, says Harpur, proposing motion. (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath welcomes recognition of need for increased respite provision
SDLP Health Spokesperson and South Down MLA Colin McGrath welcomes the Assembly's backing for more respite care for children and adults with complex needs and severe behavioural challenges. He says the SDLP amended a motion on adult provision to cover children, and he calls on the Health Minister…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on respite services for learning disability carers Original release: McGrath welcomes recognition of need for increased respite provision (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Workforce key to addressing maternity issues
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says workforce shortages must be tackled now, urging more midwife training places and recruitment before next September. He responds to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's Assembly statement on the independent maternity and neonatal review, calling for regional…
Health Issue: Independent review of midwifery services and Daisy Hill maternity staffing Original release: McGrath: Workforce key to addressing maternity issues (opens in a new tab)