Latest releases
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4,042 releases
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McGrath shows support for junior doctors
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath pledges full support for junior doctors taking strike action at the Ulster Hospital picket line, saying their pay and working conditions must be addressed. He urges the Health Minister to reach a fair settlement with them.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland junior doctors 24‑hour pay strike Original release: McGrath shows support for junior doctors (opens in a new tab)
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Smear test review must be concluded urgently – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins urges the Southern Health Trust to finish its review of around 11,000 cervical screening smear tests still awaiting re-checking as soon as possible. She says women's health services are not fit for purpose and calls on the Health Minister to act on a Women's Health…
Health Issue: Southern Health Trust smear test review backlog of around 11,000 tests Original release: Smear test review must be concluded urgently – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Brett thanks public for Hospice Petition support
DUP MLA Phillip Brett thanks those who signed his petition after handing it to the Speaker, which calls on the Department of Health for extra funding for the Children's Hospice to restore bed capacity. He urges the Health Minister to bring forward a funding bid.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Children's Hospice bed capacity reduction petition Original release: Brett thanks public for Hospice Petition support (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne presses the Infrastructure Minister for clarity on the future of the Concessionary Fares Scheme, noting no decision has followed the consultation that closed in August 2023. He welcomes the Minister's stated intention to keep the scheme in its current form and calls for…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Issue: Concessionary Fares Scheme consultation outcome and future of fare concessions Original release: Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister decision more ideological than practical
Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn criticises the Communities Minister's decision to end remote council meetings from 6 March, calling it short-sighted and ideological. He says remote attendance improves accessibility for councillors with caring or health needs and urges the minister to extend…
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister ending remote council meetings from 6 March Original release: Communities Minister decision more ideological than practical (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie welcomes NI inclusion in ground-breaking smoking and vaping legislation
UUP leader Doug Beattie MC MLA welcomes Health Minister Robin Swann's confirmation that Northern Ireland will be covered by Westminster's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would ban tobacco sales to anyone born from 2009 onward. He encourages MLAs to back the measure when it reaches the Assembly.
Health Issue: Health Minister confirms Northern Ireland inclusion in Tobacco and Vapes Bill Original release: Beattie welcomes NI inclusion in ground-breaking smoking and vaping legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes extension of Nexus contract
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes Department of Health confirmation that Nexus NI's counselling contract for victims of sexual abuse and violence will run for another year. She says she will keep working with the health minister and Nexus on a long-term plan for these services.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Department of Health extension of Nexus NI counselling contract Original release: Dillon welcomes extension of Nexus contract (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance dog whistle politics avoids the main issue
TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell accuses Alliance leader Naomi Long of using a sectarianism charge to deflect from Casement Park's cost, asking how the £300 million bill would be funded and whether the GAA funding deal bars chanting at the stadium.
Community relations and legacy Public finance and taxation Issue: Casement Park redevelopment funding and sectarianism accusation Original release: Alliance dog whistle politics avoids the main issue (opens in a new tab)
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Sheerin backs call for public enquiry into Sean Brown killing
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the coroner's decision to ask the UK Secretary of State for a public inquiry into the 1991 killing of Sean Brown, after the inquest was halted over withheld state material. She urges swift action and says the Legacy Act blocks families' access to justice.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Coroner seeks public inquiry into Sean Brown killing Original release: Sheerin backs call for public enquiry into Sean Brown killing (opens in a new tab)
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We must be driven by making NI the best it can be
DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson MP, speaking at East Antrim DUP Association, urges supporters to focus on making Northern Ireland work and warns against a border poll. He also criticises legacy measures from the 1998 Belfast Agreement as corrupting justice and calls for unionism to unite…
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Original release: We must be driven by making NI the best it can be (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: Public inquiry must be held into murder of Sean Brown
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone calls for a public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown after a coroner halted the inquest because material was being withheld. He says the Northern Ireland Secretary should order one promptly, and that the family has waited nearly three decades for answers.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Coroner seeks public inquiry into Sean Brown killing Original release: McGlone: Public inquiry must be held into murder of Sean Brown (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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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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TUV receive vacuous reply when pressing DUP Minister over commemoration of terrorism at Casement
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Communities Minister's written reply on Casement Park is legally empty, arguing that equality duties under sections 75 and 76 bind only public authorities and so cannot reach the GAA. He asks how the minister could be so poorly advised.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Casement Park redevelopment use and commemoration of terrorism reply Original release: TUV receive vacuous reply when pressing DUP Minister over commemoration of terrorism at Casement (opens in a new tab)
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Innocent victims have paid the highest price: Robinson
DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson MP says justice for victims of terrorism has been denied for 25 years and calls the legacy legislation an amnesty that was wrong. He accuses Sinn Fein of hypocrisy over early prisoner releases and "on the run" letters, and urges Dublin to investigate atrocities…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: High Court ruling on Legacy Act provisions under the Protocol Original release: Innocent victims have paid the highest price: Robinson (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)