Latest releases
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3,489 releases
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Executive needed now to help support health service – Dillon
SF MLA Linda Dillon says emergency department waiting times across the north are unacceptable, citing 866 people waiting for treatment and 385 waiting over 12 hours, and urges parties to restore the Executive now to fund health services.
Health Issue: Emergency department waiting times figures January 2024 Original release: Executive needed now to help support health service – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong sends congratulations to James Martin
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong congratulates actor James Martin on his MBE in the New Year's Honours List, on behalf of the All Party Group on Learning Disability, which she chairs. She highlights his Oscar-winning film An Irish Goodbye and his work with Mencap.
Disability and equality Issue: New Year Honours list 2023 Northern Ireland recipients Original release: Armstrong sends congratulations to James Martin (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie congratulates local New Years Honours recipients
UUP Leader Doug Beattie MLA congratulates people from across Northern Ireland named in the New Year Honours list, citing their community and voluntary work. He singles out actor James Martin's MBE and local recipients Canon William Matthew Adair and Joseph Garvey from his constituency.
Other Issue: New Year Honours list 2023 Northern Ireland recipients Original release: Beattie congratulates local New Years Honours recipients (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionists saddened at the sudden death of Ian Elliott
Fermanagh and South Tyrone UUP MLA Tom Elliott pays tribute to Ian Elliott, a former chief executive of a housing body, recalling his Fermanagh roots, his earlier work at party headquarters and his long career in housing, and offers sympathy to his family.
Other Original release: Ulster Unionists saddened at the sudden death of Ian Elliott (opens in a new tab)
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John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery
Alliance Agriculture and Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA says the natural environment is depleting rapidly, citing Lough Neagh, and urges urgent action after meeting Ulster Wildlife, hoping a restored Assembly will make nature‑proofing central to government policy.
Environment and climate Issue: Meeting with Ulster Wildlife on nature recovery Original release: John Blair MLA reiterates the need to do better for nature’s recovery (opens in a new tab)
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Increasing ‘safe access zones’ boundaries will serve little purpose – Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says expanding the safe access zone around Causeway Hospital by 250 metres, which the Northern Trust is considering, will have no effect and further erodes the right to protest. She also criticises abortion providers promoting their work on social media.
Disability and equality Issue: Northern Trust considering extending Causeway Hospital safe access zone by 250 metres Original release: Increasing ‘safe access zones’ boundaries will serve little purpose – Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor Derek Hussey has welcomed an update on proposals for much needed Health, Education and Leisure provision for Strabane and the wider area
Ulster Unionist Alderman Derek Hussey welcomes an update on City Deal proposals for Health, Education and Leisure provision in Strabane, including a new leisure centre, a North West Regional College campus and a Health Hub.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Strabane City Deal Health, Education and Leisure proposals update Original release: Councillor Derek Hussey has welcomed an update on proposals for much needed Health, Education and Leisure provision for Strabane and the wider area (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor Linzi McLaren welcomes Ulster Unionist Party Vaping Policy and brings Motion forward to council on the matter
UUP councillor Linzi McLaren welcomes the Ulster Unionist Party's vaping policy statement and says she has brought a motion to Ards and North Down Council. She calls for a council review of options on disposable vapes, tighter enforcement on illicit imports and sales, and Stormont legislation…
Health Local government Issue: Ulster Unionist Party vaping policy statement Original release: Councillor Linzi McLaren welcomes Ulster Unionist Party Vaping Policy and brings Motion forward to council on the matter (opens in a new tab)
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Young Persons Survey reinforces need for full implementation of Mental Health Strategy, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA calls for the Executive to be restored urgently so the Mental Health Strategy can be properly resourced and scrutinised, citing the Young Persons Behaviour and Attitudes Survey showing rising mental health concerns among 11-16 year olds.
Health Issue: Young Persons Behaviour and Attitudes Survey publication Original release: Young Persons Survey reinforces need for full implementation of Mental Health Strategy, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Lough Neagh must be high priority for any new Executive
SDLP MLA for Mid Ulster Patsy McGlone calls for the Lough Neagh crisis to be a high priority for any new Executive, after a meeting with DAERA on its steering group response to blue-green algae blooms. He says a report with 113 recommendations is due in February 2024 and urges prompt action.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA Lough Neagh steering group response and recommendations report Original release: McGlone: Lough Neagh must be high priority for any new Executive (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party deputy leader criticises cuts to free, centralised counselling for children in NI
Green Party deputy leader Lesley Veronica criticises cuts to free, centralised counselling for children who have suffered sexual abuse, after Nexus said it can no longer see 4–7-year-olds and has paused help for a large group of older children. She argues underinvestment will shift costs onto…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Nexus withdraws child sexual abuse counselling services Original release: Green Party deputy leader criticises cuts to free, centralised counselling for children in NI (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to provide free counselling to children who have experienced sexual abuse, say Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan call on the Department of Health to fully fund free counselling for children and young people under 16 who have experienced sexual abuse, after charity Nexus withdrew its service because of budget pressures.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Nexus withdraws child sexual abuse counselling services Original release: Urgent action needed to provide free counselling to children who have experienced sexual abuse, say Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong welcomes promotion for access to health care costs
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA welcomes a Department for Communities awareness campaign helping Universal Credit claimants learn how to get help with health costs. She says a form-based system is not perfect but gives access to dental and sight test support, and argues a…
Social security and welfare Health Issue: Department for Communities health costs awareness campaign for Universal Credit claimants Original release: Armstrong welcomes promotion for access to health care costs (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Child abuse victims must get support
SDLP children and young people spokesperson Cara Hunter calls for proper funding for services supporting child sexual abuse victims, after Nexus said it can no longer support 4-7-year-olds and is pausing support for 8-16-year-olds.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Nexus withdraws child sexual abuse counselling services Original release: Hunter: Child abuse victims must get support (opens in a new tab)
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Women’s Health Strategy must end “raw deal” for women with endometriosis, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says a Women's Health Strategy including a regional endometriosis service is needed, after a consultant gynaecologist criticised current provision. She says the Belfast Trust confirmed there is no regional or specific endometriosis funding and calls for…
Health Issue: Consultant gynaecologist Hans Nagar's remarks on endometriosis care Original release: Women’s Health Strategy must end “raw deal” for women with endometriosis, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: COP28 agreement on fossil fuels lacks substance
SDLP Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says the COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels lacks ambition and is weak without quantified targets. He calls for a watertight just transition plan and a corporate green levy on large companies.
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: COP28 agreement on transitioning away from fossil fuels Original release: Durkan: COP28 agreement on fossil fuels lacks substance (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to deliver new mental health strategies – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for an Executive to be formed now so parties can deliver new mental health and substance use strategies, citing a growing mental health crisis and rising waiting lists for support. She ties the delay to one party's boycott of the Assembly.
Health Issue: All Party Group meeting on addiction and mental health issues Original release: Executive needed to deliver new mental health strategies – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Allen Congratulates Wheelchair Users on Awards
UUP Communities spokesperson Andy Allen MBE MLA, a wheelchair user, congratulates this year's recipients of the fifth annual Jackie Magee memorial awards in Belfast. He praises the Northern Ireland Regional Wheelchair Service and says peer support and co-design are vital for inclusive services.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Jacqueline Magee Memorial Awards 2023 for wheelchair service recipients Original release: Allen Congratulates Wheelchair Users on Awards (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison welcomes education report but says change only possible if Minister in post
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA welcomes the independent review of education and its emphasis on investment, integrated schooling, SEN support and transfer reform, but says change needs an Education Minister in post and blames the DUP for the delay.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Independent Review of Education report launch Original release: Mathison welcomes education report but says change only possible if Minister in post (opens in a new tab)
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Who is in charge, presenters or the BBC?
DUP MP Gregory Campbell says a House of Commons motion should compel the BBC to act on its impartiality rules after presenter Gary Lineker’s recent political remarks, urging the Director General to ensure management, not talent, enforces the guidelines.
Other Issue: BBC presenter Gary Lineker political comments Original release: Who is in charge, presenters or the BBC? (opens in a new tab)