Latest releases
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3,482 releases
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Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives
Alliance Party’s John Blair MLA, agriculture and environment spokesperson, and Causeway councillor Peter McCully urge DAERA to clarify and accelerate investigations into blue‑green algae outbreaks, assess any pollution link and publish findings, citing health risks and tourism impacts.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue‑green algae outbreaks affecting NI beaches Original release: Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Disappointed in the BBC Irish League decision
TUV vice-chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says he is deeply disappointed the BBC has axed its Irish League show, after coverage was cut back year on year. He argues the decision is bizarre given rising interest and claims the BBC is diverting funding towards GAA.
Other Issue: BBC cancellation of Irish League football show Original release: Disappointed in the BBC Irish League decision (opens in a new tab)
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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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Sinn Féin remains resolute in opposition to Hightown Incinerator – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the party remains opposed to the proposed Hightown Incinerator after leading a cross-party delegation to Department for Infrastructure officials following a May court ruling. He says he will request a follow-up meeting with the Permanent Secretary.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Hightown Incinerator planning application returned to Department for Infrastructure after court ruling Original release: Sinn Féin remains resolute in opposition to Hightown Incinerator – Kearney (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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North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan
Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan says it is very worrying that several bathing sites across North Down have failed water quality tests, prompting warning signs and advice to stay out of the water. She welcomes a DAERA water pollution investigation and says she will press DAERA and the NI…
Environment and climate Issue: North Down bathing water quality test failures and swimming warnings Original release: North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan (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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Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister
Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth for Lisnasharragh condemns the Prime Minister's plan to allow 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences, saying it undermines Net Zero by 2050 and will not lower fuel bills. He calls for a renewable energy revolution with green jobs instead.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Prime Minister's approval of 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences Original release: Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson (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)
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Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Northern Ireland has again failed on its environmental commitments after DAERA missed the deadline for its first Environment Improvement Plan. He blames the lack of a functioning Executive and calls for Assembly scrutiny and a Minister to lead.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA misses deadline for first Environment Improvement Plan Original release: Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair (opens in a new tab)