Latest releases
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4,180 releases
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Muir welcomes Executive approval for Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan
Alliance DAERA Minister Andrew Muir welcomes the Executive's approval of the 37-action Lough Neagh plan, calling it a first step towards long-term water quality recovery. He says there are no quick fixes and that progress will depend partly on available funding.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive agreement on Lough Neagh action plan Original release: Muir welcomes Executive approval for Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Political fallouts hampered pandemic response
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath, Opposition Health Spokesperson, says political fallouts hampered Northern Ireland's pandemic preparedness, following the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's first report. He calls on the DUP and Sinn Féin to commit to not collapsing the institutions again and urges the Executive to act…
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry Report findings on Northern Ireland's pandemic response Original release: McGrath: Political fallouts hampered pandemic response (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone calls for publication of Lough Neagh Action Plan
SDLP AERA spokesperson Patsy McGlone calls for the Executive to publish its Lough Neagh action plan, after reports it was agreed, and asks for details, timeframes and funding to be made public.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive agreement on Lough Neagh action plan Original release: McGlone calls for publication of Lough Neagh Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Labour's first King's speech lacks ambition to be bold - Senator O'Hara
Green Party NI leader Senator Mal O'Hara says the King's speech lacks the bold action needed on the NHS, public services, and the climate and nature emergencies. He welcomes the planned scrapping of the Legacy Act but says there is no commitment on votes at 16, AI regulation, or banning extraction.
Environment and climate Issue: King's Speech state opening of the new Parliament 2024 Original release: Labour's first King's speech lacks ambition to be bold - Senator O'Hara (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable 120 pupils with SEN have no confirmed place for new school year, says Nicholl
Alliance spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA says it is unacceptable that 120 children with SEN statements lack a confirmed September school place, after an EA briefing could not guarantee placements. She calls on the Education Minister to prioritise SEN reform and investment.
Education Disability and equality Issue: EA briefing on unplaced SEN pupils for September 2024 Original release: Unacceptable 120 pupils with SEN have no confirmed place for new school year, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane urges department to protect local waterways
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says he has written to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir seeking an urgent on-site meeting and an action plan over blue-green algae found in Wolfhill Dam, Ligoneil, and urges swift action to stop its spread to nearby waterways.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue-green algae discovery in Wolfhill Dam, Ligoneil Original release: Finucane urges department to protect local waterways (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray welcomes proposed actions by Minister Muir to address odour concerns in Warrenpoint
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes proposed actions by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to tackle odour concerns in Warrenpoint, including expanded water quality testing and a multi-agency response led by DAERA. He also asks residents to document issues and send them to a designated address.
Environment and climate Issue: Warrenpoint odour concerns meeting with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Original release: McMurray welcomes proposed actions by Minister Muir to address odour concerns in Warrenpoint (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins welcome announcement of Live Better health programme
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes the new Live Better initiative aimed at improving health and wellbeing in communities. She calls for it to also improve patient health services and expand preventative and early intervention, and says community and voluntary groups have a key role in delivering it.
Health Issue: Live Better health and wellbeing initiative announcement Original release: Kimmins welcome announcement of Live Better health programme (opens in a new tab)
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EU threat to dentistry in Northern Ireland grows
TUV leader Jim Allister MP warns that an amended EU regulation banning dental amalgam, due from 1 January 2025, could threaten NHS dentistry in Northern Ireland, and calls for urgent reassurance from Stormont and Westminster to the profession.
Health International affairs Issue: EU mercury regulation ban on dental amalgam publication in Official Journal Original release: EU threat to dentistry in Northern Ireland grows (opens in a new tab)
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‘Cancer strategy must be implemented without delay’ – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says newly released cancer waiting times figures for the north show the need to implement the cancer strategy without delay. She calls for action to cut waiting lists and says families cannot wait any longer.
Health Issue: Cancer waiting time statistics for July 2024 Original release: ‘Cancer strategy must be implemented without delay’ – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance welcomes Professor Bengoa return for Autumn Conference on Health Transformation
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the announced return of Professor Rafael Bengoa to Northern Ireland in the autumn for a conference on health reform. She urges faster implementation of the Bengoa Report recommendations and asks for the Health Minister's three-year…
Health Issue: Professor Bengoa autumn return and health conference announcement Original release: Alliance welcomes Professor Bengoa return for Autumn Conference on Health Transformation (opens in a new tab)
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McConville-Walker welcomes decision to overturn Maghery landfill extension plans
Sinn Féin councillor Clare McConville-Walker welcomes the reversal of a planning approval for a landfill extension at Maghery, saying key details were missing from the application. She says the community and Lough Neagh will continue to be defended.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Maghery landfill extension planning decision overturned Original release: McConville-Walker welcomes decision to overturn Maghery landfill extension plans (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer waiting times reinforce need for health service reform: Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds says latest cancer waiting time statistics underline the need for urgent health service reform, noting fewer than 30% of patients begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral. She calls on the Health Minister to bring forward long-promised reform…
Health Issue: Cancer waiting time statistics for July 2024 Original release: Cancer waiting times reinforce need for health service reform: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly has expressed concern at latest cancer figures
Alliance Health Spokesperson Danny Donnelly expresses concern at Department of Health figures showing only 34.1% of urgent suspected breast cancer referrals seen within 14 days in January to March 2023. He welcomes Minister Nesbitt's inclusion of cancer as a priority but calls for transformation…
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer waiting times statistics January to March 2023 Original release: Donnelly has expressed concern at latest cancer figures (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Executive failure to agree Lough Neagh Action Plan not sustainable
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone warns the Executive that its continued failure to agree the Lough Neagh Action Plan is not sustainable, saying it will condemn the Lough to further decline. He calls for a united Executive approach covering wastewater investment, enforcement review…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh Action Plan Executive agreement delay Original release: McGlone: Executive failure to agree Lough Neagh Action Plan not sustainable (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan comments on audit office waste report
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan says accurate waste data is crucial to cutting waste and meeting climate targets, citing councils' results in the Audit Office report on waste management. She says NIEA is not required to track landfill capacity and urges the DAERA Minister to set a firm timeline for…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Audit Office report on waste management Original release: Brogan comments on audit office waste report (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP meets Labour Secretary of State
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says he and Claire Hanna MP held a constructive first meeting with new Secretary of State Hilary Benn, pressing for emergency health funding, repeal of the Legacy Act and questions on Casement Park investment.
Health Issue: SDLP meeting with new Labour Secretary of State Hilary Benn Original release: SDLP meets Labour Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
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Robust police action needed to end racist and sectarian intimidation – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls for robust police operations and prosecutions to end racist and sectarian intimidation in Antrim Town, including targeting of ethnic minority families in Ballycraigy and flags placed across the town centre.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Racist and sectarian intimidation in Antrim Town Ballycraigy estate Original release: Robust police action needed to end racist and sectarian intimidation – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan welcomes Lough Neagh action plan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes a report setting out plans to tackle blue-green algae in Lough Neagh, and the announced action plan and £1.5 million funding from the Finance Minister. She says she will keep engaging with other parties and local communities to protect the lough.
Environment and climate Issue: Lough Neagh blue-green algae action plan and £1.5 million funding Original release: Brogan welcomes Lough Neagh action plan (opens in a new tab)
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Hughes welcomes A1 safety upgrade progression
Sinn Féin’s Dáire Hughes welcomes the Infrastructure Minister’s plan to start safety upgrades on the A1 Newry Bypass, saying the work will save lives and boost all‑island business, retail and tourism, and pledges to keep working for Newry and Armagh.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister announces A1 Newry Bypass safety upgrades Original release: Hughes welcomes A1 safety upgrade progression (opens in a new tab)