Latest releases
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2,979 releases
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Rise in sale of illegal vapes to underage children deeply concerning, says McReynolds
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds says he is deeply concerned about illegal sales of disposable vapes to under-18s after meeting Belfast City Council's Tobacco Control Team. He calls for the Public Health Agency to fund Cancer Focus NI's youth awareness work and says vapes sold in…
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Council test purchases showing illegal vape sales to under-18s Original release: Rise in sale of illegal vapes to underage children deeply concerning, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to start fixing problems in health service – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon voices concern that roughly one in five GP training places remain unfilled, warning of staff shortages and GP losses through retirement and stress. She calls for all parties to work together at the Executive to address pressures in health services.
Health Issue: Unfilled GP training places in Northern Ireland Original release: Executive needed to start fixing problems in health service – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe marks World Breastfeeding Week
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says she has helped launch a Stormont event marking World Breastfeeding Week, co-sponsored with Breastival, and cites a rise in Northern Ireland's breastfeeding rate at discharge over 2013 to 2020. She encourages the public to attend and support breastfeeding…
Health Original release: Forsythe marks World Breastfeeding Week (opens in a new tab)
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Visibility and support crucial for increasing breastfeeding rates, says Nicholl, marking World Breastfeeding Week
Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl says visibility is key to raising breastfeeding rates, after sponsoring Breastival's #MoreThanMilk photo exhibition at Stormont for World Breastfeeding Week. She calls for the Assembly to be restored and a new breastfeeding strategy and legislation developed.
Health Issue: Breastival #MoreThanMilk photo exhibition at Stormont Original release: Visibility and support crucial for increasing breastfeeding rates, says Nicholl, marking World Breastfeeding Week (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray
Alliance Belfast councillor Micky Murray says he will meet the Assistant Chief Constable on 2 August to press the PSNI over a street preacher's derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community during Belfast Pride, seeking assurances that homophobic hate crimes are treated seriously.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Street preacher's anti-LGBTQ+ remarks at Belfast Pride 2023 Original release: PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to specialist GP services will pile more pressure on health service – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says cuts to the GP Elective Care Service will add pressure to the health service and lengthen waiting lists for dermatology, gynaecology and minor surgery. She has written to the Department of Health about the impact on patients and urges the Executive to be restored.
Health Issue: GP Elective Care Service funding cut Original release: Cuts to specialist GP services will pile more pressure on health service – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride
Alliance's Kate Nicholl MLA, who speaks on diversity and migration, wishes attendees a safe Pride ahead of Belfast Pride's parade and says hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are rising, urging these attitudes be challenged early.
Disability and equality Original release: We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for an end to the differing approach to Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment across health trusts, after meeting Northern Trust management. He says the stalled pilot for validating private diagnoses must be expedited and that a resolution is needed.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Trust Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment provision meeting Original release: Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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No reason why folic acid legislation cannot include NI
DUP peer Lord Dodds questions why Northern Ireland is excluded from folic acid fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour and calls on the UK Government to legislate to include it, to reduce neural tube defects in babies.
Health Original release: No reason why folic acid legislation cannot include NI (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Stark RVH report cannot be ignored
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says a stark RQIA inspection report into the Royal Victoria Hospital emergency department should be a catalyst for change. He calls for transformation of health services and restored Stormont institutions to implement it before winter pressures worsen.
Health Issue: RQIA inspection report on Royal Victoria Hospital emergency department Original release: McGrath: Stark RVH report cannot be ignored (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government working with local universities train more health professionals positive news- Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the Irish Government’s decision to fund student places for health‑care training in the north, including 50 new slots for physiotherapy, occupational and speech‑language therapy, plus additional places for nursing and midwifery, calling it a vital boost for the a‑s
Health Education Issue: Irish Government funds health professional training places in the north Original release: Irish Government working with local universities train more health professionals positive news- Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent need for Executive to tackle chronic hospital pressures – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says reports of patients waiting days in corridors at the Royal are deeply concerning and calls for an Executive to be formed now to fund and fix pressures in the health service.
Health Issue: Reports of patients waiting days in Royal Hospital corridors Original release: Urgent need for Executive to tackle chronic hospital pressures – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Secretary of State should spell out spending priorities
DUP Communities Spokesperson Diane Forsythe says the Secretary of State must clarify whether a possible £153million Casement Park spend ranks above school and hospital funding. She points to a rise in the stadium estimate since May and calls on the NIO to say where its priorities lie.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Casement Park redevelopment cost estimate increase to £153million Original release: Secretary of State should spell out spending priorities (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart welcomes PM support for childhood cancer campaign
DUP MP Carla Lockhart welcomes the Prime Minister's commitment to work on improving benefit support for families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis. She urges the Government to change DLA rules so support starts at diagnosis, not after the three-month claim delay.
Social security and welfare Health Issue: Prime Minister's PMQs response on childhood cancer benefit support Original release: Lockhart welcomes PM support for childhood cancer campaign (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: No recess on efforts to restore devolution
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says Stormont talks to restore devolution must continue through the summer after meeting Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris, and urges action on childcare costs, health waiting lists and pay.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Eastwood meeting with Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris on restoring devolution Original release: Eastwood: No recess on efforts to restore devolution (opens in a new tab)
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Inhumane Tory ‘Migration’ Bill latest in a string of anti-rights legislation – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin says the UK government's Illegal Migration Bill, passed on the day of her statement, is cruel and inhumane and breaches protections for vulnerable asylum seekers and trafficking victims. She claims it will increase trafficking and encroaches on devolved areas.
Immigration Disability and equality Issue: UK Tory 'Migration' Bill passage through Parliament Original release: Inhumane Tory ‘Migration’ Bill latest in a string of anti-rights legislation – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Paisley tables Parliamentary motion celebrating Rory McIlroy success
DUP MP Ian Paisley has tabled a Commons motion congratulating Rory McIlroy on his Scottish Open win, noting he is the only player to have won the Open, Irish Open and Scottish Open. He says the motion marks McIlroy's continued success and his promotion of Northern Ireland golf.
Other Issue: Rory McIlroy Scottish Open victory Commons motion Original release: Paisley tables Parliamentary motion celebrating Rory McIlroy success (opens in a new tab)
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Government must act to end unfair block on northern athletes representing Ireland – Chris Andrews TD and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD
Sinn Féin's Chris Andrews TD and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD urge the Irish government to push for an island-wide derogation from World Athletics' 1934 Political Boundary Rule, which bars Northern athletes from representing Ireland at European and World championships. Andrews calls on Sport Minister Thomas…
Disability and equality Issue: World Athletics 1934 Political Boundary Rule derogation for Ireland Original release: Government must act to end unfair block on northern athletes representing Ireland – Chris Andrews TD and Ruairí Ó Murchú TD (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI must not participate in political activity whilst in uniform
DUP Policing Board representative and South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke welcomes the PSNI decision to bar uniformed officers from Belfast Pride, saying political events risk damaging public confidence. He calls for equal treatment of officers from unionist backgrounds regarding Loyal Order membership.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI decision on uniformed officers at Belfast Pride parade Original release: PSNI must not participate in political activity whilst in uniform (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn reacts to PSNI decision to pull out of Belfast Pride
Green Party councillor Flynn says the PSNI should not have taken part in Belfast Pride at all, arguing the event is a political protest and that police pulling support over the "Stand by your Trans" campaign shows their involvement was superficial.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: PSNI decision on uniformed officers at Belfast Pride parade Original release: Cllr Flynn reacts to PSNI decision to pull out of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)