Latest releases
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5,795 releases
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Health Minister must accept responsibility for making tough decisions, says McAllister.
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Health Minister must take responsibility for difficult choices and adopt a stronger stance on efficiency and reform after the Department of Health released its Equality Impact Assessment of the draft 2025‑26 budget.
Health Issue: Department of Health Equality Impact Assessment of 2025‑26 budget Original release: Health Minister must accept responsibility for making tough decisions, says McAllister. (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly deeply disappointed after proposed goldmine public inquiry delay
Alliance Councillor Stephen Donnelly says he is deeply disappointed that the public inquiry into the proposed Co Tyrone goldmine has been suspended after the Department for Infrastructure was found to have failed to consult adequately on transboundary issues. He calls on the Department to carry…
Environment and climate Issue: Dalradian Sperrins goldmine planning inquiry suspension Original release: Donnelly deeply disappointed after proposed goldmine public inquiry delay (opens in a new tab)
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Nelson welcomes announcement of investment in Giant’s Park
Alliance Councillor Sam Nelson welcomes the £100 million investment announced for Giant’s Park by the city council and the park’s development company, praising the plan for an urban adventure park that will create jobs, boost tourism, improve public coastal access and enhance connectivity for North
Local government Economy and employment Issue: £100m investment in Giant’s Park Original release: Nelson welcomes announcement of investment in Giant’s Park (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds questions lack of promotion around DfI consultation on taxis in bus lanes.
Alliance spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA criticises the Department for Infrastructure for insufficient promotion of its consultation on extending taxi use of bus lanes in Belfast city centre. He says the February 5 closing date is too short and urges the Minister to reverse the scheme.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DfI consultation on taxi use of bus lanes Original release: McReynolds questions lack of promotion around DfI consultation on taxis in bus lanes. (opens in a new tab)
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This week the Government Has Blown Its Irish Sea Border Cover
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, argues in a News Letter opinion piece that Government regulations on goods movement effectively treat Northern Ireland as a third country, and says the Irish Sea border is unworkable. He says he will press for a Commons vote opposing the draft Official…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Draft Official Control Amendment Regulations Irish Sea border vote Original release: This week the Government Has Blown Its Irish Sea Border Cover (opens in a new tab)
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Well done Protocol Implementers!
TUV leader Jim Allister says Northern Ireland is excluded from the UK-wide ban on animal imports from Germany after foot and mouth disease was confirmthere, because NI remains subject to EU rules that still permit imports. He links this to MLAs' recent vote on the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK ban on animal imports from Germany over foot and mouth disease Original release: Well done Protocol Implementers! (opens in a new tab)
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Attack on nurse ‘shocking’ and ‘disgraceful’ – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn describes as disgraceful an assault on a young nurse from the Royal Maternity Hospital on Saturday evening, expressing her thoughts for the victim. She says nurses are the backbone of the health system and calls the attack shocking, and she urges a man who intervened…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Assault on nurse at Royal Maternity Hospital, Saturday evening Original release: Attack on nurse ‘shocking’ and ‘disgraceful’ – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister’s reform of housing points welcomed
DUP East Antrim MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes Communities Minister Gordon Lyons's commitment to reform the Housing Executive points system for intimidated applicants. She urges swift reforms so housing is allocated on genuine need rather than intimidation points, which she says criminals can abuse.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Communities Minister’s reform of housing points welcomed (opens in a new tab)
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Health and education ministers must improve mental health services in schools – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls on the health and education ministers to enhance mental‑health provision in schools, urging faster, compassionate support for children and youth clubs amid long waiting lists and suicide‑prevention concerns.
Health Education Original release: Health and education ministers must improve mental health services in schools – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: SEN plan must be fully funded
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA says the Education Minister's special educational needs transformation plan must be fully funded, noting the Executive has earmarked no money for it in its latest budget. She welcomes proposals including a child development passport.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda and five-year delivery plan Original release: Hunter: SEN plan must be fully funded (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Ambulance delays contributing to health service collapse
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says ambulance delays are adding to pressure on the health service, citing ambulances queuing outside emergency departments over Christmas and patients waiting in vehicles for hours. He calls on the Executive to implement health transformation.
Health Issue: Assembly debate on ambulance response times, January 2025 Original release: McGrath: Ambulance delays contributing to health service collapse (opens in a new tab)
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Rationale for female only prison spaces is clear - Bunting
DUP Justice Spokesperson Joanne Bunting MLA asks Justice Minister Naomi Long how she will keep Hydebank Wood women's prison exclusively for biologically female prisoners after a High Court ruling allowed a transfer from Maghaberry. She says the Minister must set out a plan and warns that admitting…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: High Court ruling on transfer of prisoner to Hydebank Wood Original release: Rationale for female only prison spaces is clear - Bunting (opens in a new tab)
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Commitment to SEN first approach a welcome step – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes the education minister’s announcement on overhauling provision for children with special educational needs, urging the minister to promptly release a SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan and to adopt a ‘SEN first’ placement policy.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education minister's SEN transformation statement Original release: Commitment to SEN first approach a welcome step – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Givan: Reform begins for children with special educational needs
Education Minister Paul Givan announces a reform agenda and five-year delivery plan for special educational needs support, moving away from one-to-one adult support toward more flexible school-led models. He also plans a bespoke early-years programme for toddlers aged two and three, including…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda and five-year delivery plan Original release: Givan: Reform begins for children with special educational needs (opens in a new tab)
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Time for action on SEN education crisis, not more empty words says Alliance representatives.
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy say the Education Minister's statement on SEN transformation offered only empty words, with no finalised action plan, costings or success measures. They call for a clear plan and outcome framework.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda and five-year delivery plan Original release: Time for action on SEN education crisis, not more empty words says Alliance representatives. (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition Day to focus on violence against women and girls
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin and SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter call for urgent action on violence against women and girls, citing 25 women killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. Their Opposition Day motions cover new victim-protection laws, online abuse, RSE and gender-based budgeting.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: SDLP Opposition Day motions on violence against women and girls Original release: SDLP Opposition Day to focus on violence against women and girls (opens in a new tab)
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British government cannot hide behind veil of secrecy; the truth behind murder of John Francis Green must be told – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy calls for the full truth behind the 1975 killing of IRA Volunteer John Francis Green near Castleblayney to be told, and accuses the British government of hiding behind secrecy. Speaking at the 50th anniversary commemoration, he pledges party support for the Green family's…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: 50th anniversary commemoration of John Francis Green's killing Original release: British government cannot hide behind veil of secrecy; the truth behind murder of John Francis Green must be told – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Plan needed to tackle unacceptable delays in ambulance services, says Donnelly, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls for a plan to tackle ambulance service delays ahead of an Assembly motion urging the Health Minister to bring forward proposals, including a workforce plan, to boost ambulance capacity.
Health Issue: Assembly motion on Northern Ireland Ambulance Service capacity and response times Original release: Plan needed to tackle unacceptable delays in ambulance services, says Donnelly, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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Gregory Campbell MP Welcomes Ulster University’s Decision to Revise…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell welcomes Ulster University's decision to revise promotional imagery for its new sports science degree in Derry, after he raised concerns that the original images were exclusive. He urges the university to consider diverse backgrounds in future marketing.
Community relations and legacy Education Issue: Ulster University revising sports science course promotional imagery Original release: Gregory Campbell MP Welcomes Ulster University’s Decision to Revise… (opens in a new tab)
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DUP representatives meet hospital staff to discuss pressures and…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says she visited Craigavon Area Hospital's Emergency Department and met staff and management about patient flow, long waits and corridor care. She calls for further investment in domiciliary care, citing 700 outstanding care packages, and says she will press the Minister on…
Health Issue: Craigavon Area Hospital Emergency Department visit on patient flow pressures Original release: DUP representatives meet hospital staff to discuss pressures and… (opens in a new tab)