Latest releases
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3,442 releases
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Council inundated with complaints of vapes being sold to children, says Nelson
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Sam Nelson calls on vape shops in Belfast to take their responsibilities seriously and stop selling vapes to children. He says council test purchases found about 50% of child volunteers were able to buy one, and wants tougher regulation and education.
Health Local government Original release: Council inundated with complaints of vapes being sold to children, says Nelson (opens in a new tab)
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Outcomes welcome but serious questions remain over Urology Review, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says published outcomes from the recall of patients seen by a urology consultant are welcome, but calls for answers on serious questions and urgent reform, including an independent Patient Safety Commissioner.
Health Issue: Urology review patient recall outcomes publication Original release: Outcomes welcome but serious questions remain over Urology Review, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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RCN should clarify stance on united Ireland comments
DUP MP Gregory Campbell calls on the Royal College of Nursing to clarify whether it is appropriate for the college to take part in Northern Ireland's constitutional debate, after its General Secretary Pat Cullen reportedly said reunification was the NHS's only hope at a West Belfast event.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Pat Cullen reunification remarks at West Belfast event Original release: RCN should clarify stance on united Ireland comments (opens in a new tab)
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Egan calls for end to false information campaign on relationship and sex education
Alliance Education Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA urges an end to an online disinformation push about relationship and sex education in Northern Ireland, following a Department of Education letter to school principals on the subject. She says the Secretary of State's new RSE regulations for…
Education Issue: Department of Education letter to principals on RSE regulations Original release: Egan calls for end to false information campaign on relationship and sex education (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin write to Simon Harris regarding access of northern students to universities in the south – Delargy, Archibald, Finucane & Farrell
Sinn Féin MLAs Pádraig Delargy and Caoimhe Archibald, with John Finucane MP and TD Mairéad Farrell, have written to Minister Simon Harris calling for changes to how A Level results are converted in the CAO process, saying it makes university entry in the south hard for northern students.
Education Issue: CAO conversion of A Level results for northern students Original release: Sinn Féin write to Simon Harris regarding access of northern students to universities in the south – Delargy, Archibald, Finucane & Farrell (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer services spiralling into ever deeper crisis due to ongoing political impasse – Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA warns that cancer patients are being failed as the 10 year cancer plan stalls without an Executive, with reforms and investments paused. He calls for the Executive to reform immediately and fund cancer services.
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Health, housing and climate top agenda during Brisbane trip
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Matt Carthy, Finance and Foreign Affairs spokespeople, open a week-long Australian visit in Queensland, meeting the state's health minister and reviewing social housing, energy transition and jobs plans.
Housing Economy and employment Original release: Health, housing and climate top agenda during Brisbane trip (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes Enhancing Clinical Care Framework for care homes
Alliance health spokesperson and South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw welcomes the launch at Stormont of a framework for clinical care in care homes, praising its four pillars of prevention, early intervention, urgent care and palliative care. She calls for its principles to be extended to other areas…
Health Issue: Enhancing Clinical Care Framework launch for care homes at Stormont Original release: Bradshaw welcomes Enhancing Clinical Care Framework for care homes (opens in a new tab)
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SF & Alliance must give clarity on Puberty Blockers
The DUP calls on Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party to clarify their position on whether children should be able to undergo puberty blocker treatment without parental consent, after Sinn Fein reportedly called for access for under-18s. Health spokesman Paul Givan describes the proposal as reckless…
Health Issue: Sinn Fein call for under-18 access to puberty blockers Original release: SF & Alliance must give clarity on Puberty Blockers (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA rejects the current Health Budget, saying it is unfairly drawn up without ministers and calls for the Core Grants Funding Scheme to be maintained and expanded to tackle health inequalities.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: 2023 Health Budget rejection Original release: Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson urges HMT rethink on school uniform VAT
DUP East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson urges the UK Government to extend the zero VAT rate to older pupils' school uniforms or cap their prices, citing an average £378 post-primary cost and a Chancellor reply ruling out changes.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Chancellor response on VAT for school uniforms Original release: Wilson urges HMT rethink on school uniform VAT (opens in a new tab)
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Concerning increases in people presenting for alcohol treatment – Thomas Gould TD
Sinn Féin's addiction and wellbeing spokesperson Thomas Gould TD urges the government to fund a response to an 8% rise in problem alcohol use reported by the Health Research Board, noting services are at capacity, a postcode lottery exists, and key parts of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act remain un‑
Health Issue: Health Research Board data on rising problem alcohol use Original release: Concerning increases in people presenting for alcohol treatment – Thomas Gould TD (opens in a new tab)
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Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle
Alliance Alderman Lewis Boyle says he is dismayed that his motion to raise the Progress Pride flag from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council buildings each year on Belfast Pride day was defeated, with the UUP opposed and the SDLP abstaining. He accuses the UUP of empty rhetoric on LGBTQ+ issues.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Antrim and Newtownabbey council Progress Pride flag motion defeat Original release: Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle (opens in a new tab)
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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)