Latest releases
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3,934 releases
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Erskine raises concerns about latest cracks found in MOT centre lifts
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, raises serious concerns after 14 MOT lifts were found to have hairline cracks, asking the Minister to outline steps to address the situation. She says lessons from 2019 should have been learnt and will press DVA for updates at…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Hairline cracks found in MaHa MOT testing lifts Original release: Erskine raises concerns about latest cracks found in MOT centre lifts (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter welcomes decision to extend Nexus counselling contract
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Health Minister's decision to extend the Nexus counselling contract for sexual abuse victims by a year after the department ended it without a replacement. She calls for a long-term approach ensuring free counselling access.
Health Issue: Department of Health extension of Nexus NI counselling contract Original release: Hunter welcomes decision to extend Nexus counselling contract (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Sinn Féin, DUP and TUV team up to block Assembly reform
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says Sinn Féin, the DUP and TUV have blocked Assembly reform to end the petition of concern, criticising the First Minister for opposing it and for not responding to a debate.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Assembly reform motion to end petition of concern blocked Original release: O’Toole: Sinn Féin, DUP and TUV team up to block Assembly reform (opens in a new tab)
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Grief must not become taboo as we mark our collective loss on Day of Reflection, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says the Day of Reflection on Sunday should honour pandemic dead while focusing on better support for bereaved people still struggling. She urges practical help and memorials for those still grieving.
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Deeply concerning Department of Health has ended Nexus NI contract – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says it is alarming that the Department of Health has ended Nexus NI's specialist counselling contract for victims of sexual abuse and violence. She calls on the Health Minister to review the decision, arguing GP referrals are not an adequate substitute.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Department of Health ends Nexus NI specialist counselling contract Original release: Deeply concerning Department of Health has ended Nexus NI contract – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister calls for urgent review of decision to stop providing specialist counselling for sexual abuse victims
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister calls for an urgent review of the Department of Health's decision to end Nexus NI's specialist counselling contract for sexual abuse victims, after the group confirmed no other provider had been contracted. She has asked the Health Minister to update MLAs.
Health Issue: Department of Health ends Nexus NI specialist counselling contract Original release: McAllister calls for urgent review of decision to stop providing specialist counselling for sexual abuse victims (opens in a new tab)
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Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says newly published Rivers Trust data showing no Northern Ireland river stretches at good overall status is disappointing but not surprising. He links the decline to agricultural run-off, sewage, invasive species and underinvestment, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Rivers Trust State of Our Rivers 2024 report on Northern Ireland waters Original release: Rivers Trust report on state of NI waters disappointing but not surprising, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Life should be valued: Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All Party Pro-Life Group, says society should focus on protecting life and improving palliative care rather than advancing assisted dying, following a Health and Social Care Committee report.
Health Issue: Health and Social Care Committee report on assisted dying Original release: Life should be valued: Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan reaffirms his commitment to transform the Special Educational Needs system in Northern Ireland, following a visit to Fleming Fulton School. He says children with SEN do not always achieve the same outcomes as peers and will press Executive colleagues for…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Transformation of Special Educational Needs essential – Givan (opens in a new tab)
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Children and young people across the island deserve better access to mental services – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for better children's mental health access across the island, citing a Dáil bill by Mark Ward TD on youth mental health services in the south. She urges north-south ministerial cooperation and calls on the Health Minister to bring forward a plan to increase…
Health Issue: Mark Ward TD youth mental health legislation in the Dáil Original release: Children and young people across the island deserve better access to mental services – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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More help needed to support carers – Dillon
SF MLA Linda Dillon says more help is needed for carers, especially women forced to cut hours or leave jobs, reacting to a Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report. She calls for investment in social care, stronger workers' rights and better childcare, and welcomes the Economy Minister's…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report on female carers Original release: More help needed to support carers – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine - Audit Office Lessons for Infrastructure
Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP MLA Deborah Erskine calls for an honest review of how major infrastructure is planned and delivered, following a Northern Ireland Audit Office report. She cites the A5, York Street Interchange and planning delays, and says funding must be found to implement the…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on major infrastructure delivery Original release: Erskine - Audit Office Lessons for Infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA expresses concern over a Translink-commissioned report on projected sea level rise threatening rail locations, saying 7 are at high risk by 2040. He calls for urgent consultation with the Department for Infrastructure on moving and re-routing the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Translink report on sea level rise impacts to rail infrastructure Original release: Stewart expresses concerns on the impact of projected sea level rises on rail infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Career or Care report lays bare the failure to support our unpaid carers, says Eastwood
Alliance's Sorcha Eastwood MLA says carers need far more support, citing a Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report finding nearly 60% of unpaid carers are women. She backs its recommendations, including paid carer's leave, and says she has asked the Economy Minister to include it in a…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI and Women's Regional Consortium report on female carers Original release: Career or Care report lays bare the failure to support our unpaid carers, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must outline transformation plans, says McAllister
Alliance Health Spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister says the Health Minister must set out his plans for reforming local health services after a speech that listed problems without follow-up proposals. She urges him to implement the Bengoa reforms and bring constructive proposals to…
Health Issue: Health Minister speech on current health service problems Original release: Health Minister must outline transformation plans, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly backs SDLP Opposition’s rail plan
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan welcomes Assembly backing for a motion urging a fully costed plan to implement the All Island Strategic Rail Review by the end of 2024. He urges the Executive and Infrastructure Minister O'Dowd to work with Irish and British governments, and wants…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Assembly motion on All Island Strategic Rail Review implementation plan Original release: Assembly backs SDLP Opposition’s rail plan (opens in a new tab)
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GAA being unreasonable on Casement
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell says it is unreasonable for the GAA to refuse further contributions to the cost of Casement Park, which he says has risen while the GAA's share stayed static. He calls for the GAA to increase its contribution and for further government funding to be conditional on…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: GAA refusal to increase contribution to Casement Park costs Original release: GAA being unreasonable on Casement (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes progress towards agreed pay settlement for health workers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes progress towards 2023/24 pay settlements for health workers, noting a proposal restoring pay parity with England for Agenda for Change staff. He hopes further announcements on doctors' and dentists' pay will follow soon.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health and social care 2023/24 pay settlement proposal Original release: Chambers welcomes progress towards agreed pay settlement for health workers (opens in a new tab)
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Opposition calls on Minister to progress rail plan
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Opposition calls on Minister to progress rail plan (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister needs to prioritise and invest in special educational needs and disabilities, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly debate
Alliance's Nick Mathison MLA, Chair of the Assembly's Education Committee, urges the Education Minister to direct any extra SEND funding to pupils and the workforce ahead of a Monday Assembly debate. He says the current support system has failed pupils, parents and schools and warns against a…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly debate on special educational needs and disabilities provision Original release: Education Minister needs to prioritise and invest in special educational needs and disabilities, says Mathison, ahead of Assembly debate (opens in a new tab)