Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Environment and climate: remove filter
- Infrastructure and transport: remove filter
- Constitutional affairs: remove filter
- Health: remove filter
- Disability and equality: remove filter
5,795 releases
-
Time for Belfast Trust to take responsibility for hospital…
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds welcomes majority MLA support for a full independent inquiry into the new Royal Victoria regional maternity and children's hospital in Belfast. She says the Health Minister gave no real answers and only learned of the latest problems that morning, including gas…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly debate on independent inquiry into Belfast regional maternity hospital Original release: Time for Belfast Trust to take responsibility for hospital… (opens in a new tab)
-
‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart
DUP MLA Carla Lockhart argues that the 'dignity' language used by assisted suicide campaigners, such as Dignity in Dying, is a misleading framing. She says legalising assisted suicide would lower the perceived worth of disabled, poor and homeless people, citing a Canadian poll on MAID eligibility.
Disability and equality Health Original release: ‘No Dignity in Lying’: Carla Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
-
Full independent inquiry needed into hospital scandal – Dodds
The DUP's Diane Dodds MLA will bring an Assembly motion calling on the Health Minister to order a full independent inquiry into the Belfast regional maternity and children's hospital project, citing a delay of over ten years and costs more than £400 million above original estimates.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Full independent inquiry needed into hospital scandal – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
-
Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives
Education Disability and equality Original release: Disappointment at lack of details on SEN End to End Review, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath calls for independent inquiry into Maternity and Children’s Hospital
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA backs calls for a full independent inquiry into the Belfast Maternity and Children's Hospital, citing doubled costs, delays and possible opening beyond 2030. He says the Executive cannot be trusted to investigate itself.
Health Issue: Assembly debate on independent inquiry into Belfast regional maternity hospital Original release: McGrath calls for independent inquiry into Maternity and Children’s Hospital (opens in a new tab)
-
Sheehan welcomes funding for ‘life-saving’ defibrillators in schools
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the announcement that 600 schools will receive defibrillators, saying they will protect students, staff and the wider community. He calls for an emphasis on training and awareness and says the party will work to make the rollout quick and efficient.
Education Health Issue: Education Minister announcement on defibrillators for every school Original release: Sheehan welcomes funding for ‘life-saving’ defibrillators in schools (opens in a new tab)
-
A Life-Saving Investment: Defibrillators to be provided to all…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces over £700,000 to fund and roll out defibrillators to around 600 schools across Northern Ireland, with all to be installed before the end of the academic year. The release cites a survey finding fewer than half of schools have one on site.
Education Health Issue: Defibrillator funding rollout for Northern Ireland schools Original release: A Life-Saving Investment: Defibrillators to be provided to all… (opens in a new tab)
-
Providing defibrillators to schools will save lives: Martin
DUP MLA Peter Martin welcomes the Education Minister's announcement that defibrillators will be funded and rolled out to every school in Northern Ireland, noting over 600 schools still need them and that maintenance and replacement will also be funded.
Education Health Issue: Education Minister announcement on defibrillators for every school Original release: Providing defibrillators to schools will save lives: Martin (opens in a new tab)
-
Allister defends Ulster Banner display at Commonwealth Games
TUV leader Jim Allister has written to Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland chief executive Conal Heatley criticising comments about changing the Ulster Banner's use at the Games. He says the remarks politicise CWGNI, cites the Flags, Identity, Culture and Traditions Report, and argues athletes…
Community relations and legacy Constitutional affairs Issue: Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland proposal to change Ulster Banner use Original release: Allister defends Ulster Banner display at Commonwealth Games (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Anyone contaminating waterways must face full extent of the law’ – Kearney
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney says he is deeply concerned that no one will be prosecuted over the 2023 Crumlin River pollution that killed fish, and calls for anyone polluting waterways to face the law fully, plus legislative change and stronger enforcement, urging DAERA to…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Crumlin River pollution incident 2023 no prosecutions Original release: ‘Anyone contaminating waterways must face full extent of the law’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
-
Only a Sinn Féin government will drive forward plans for a United Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald says a Sinn Féin-led administration alone would push forward reunification plans, pledging to begin preparations and seek border polls by the end of the decade. Her plan includes a Green Paper, a reunification unit and a minister for reunification.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Only a Sinn Féin government will drive forward plans for a United Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald (opens in a new tab)
-
Hargey expresses concern at plan to close south Belfast out of hours GP service
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey raises concern over the Belfast Trust's plan to close the out-of-hours GP provision at Knockbreda Health and Wellbeing Centre, calling it vital for local people. She says she will write to the trust about the lack of consultation with the community.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust plan to close Knockbreda out-of-hours GP service Original release: Hargey expresses concern at plan to close south Belfast out of hours GP service (opens in a new tab)
-
Infrastructure Minister burying his head in the sand over NI Water funding, says McMurray.
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andy McMurray says the Infrastructure Minister is ignoring the crisis in NI Water’s funding, dismisses the minister’s claim the model works and urges adoption of Alliance’s mutualised funding blueprint to sustain water and wastewater investment.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: John O'Dowd comments on NI Water funding model Original release: Infrastructure Minister burying his head in the sand over NI Water funding, says McMurray. (opens in a new tab)
-
Our parks must be accessible and inclusive for all, says Ashe, welcoming agreement on communication board motion.
Alliance Comber Councillor Rachel Ashe welcomes Ards and North Down Borough Council's agreement to install communication boards in Tier 1 play parks, after the feasibility report on her motion was approved. Ashe says the boards will help children with speech, language or autism-related…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Ards and North Down communication boards in Tier 1 play parks Original release: Our parks must be accessible and inclusive for all, says Ashe, welcoming agreement on communication board motion. (opens in a new tab)
-
Improving mental health services must be a priority – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for more to be done on mental health services and suicide prevention after the Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report showed an increase in suicide deaths. She says she intends to bring legislation requiring suicide prevention training for all frontline public…
Health Issue: Registrar General's 2023 Annual Report on suicide deaths increase Original release: Improving mental health services must be a priority – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
-
Dodds welcomes NI Select Committee in Lords
Lord Dodds of Duncairn welcomes the House of Lords’ approval of a newly formed Northern Ireland Select Committee to examine EU legislation and the Protocol/Windsor Framework, noting it will spotlight rules that currently lack input from NI elected representatives.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: House of Lords approves NI Select Committee on EU legislation Original release: Dodds welcomes NI Select Committee in Lords (opens in a new tab)
-
Environmental governance review is encouraging news for Lough Neagh, says Blair
Alliance environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the DAERA Minister's launch of an independent panel to review environmental governance, praising its Lough Neagh focus and backing a possible Independent Environmental Protection Agency. He expects the panel's report next summer.
Environment and climate Issue: Minister Andrew Muir review of environmental governance announcement Original release: Environmental governance review is encouraging news for Lough Neagh, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
-
McReynolds calls for improved road safety to boost active travel, following publication of inquiry
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds, Chair of the Assembly All-Party Group for Active Travel, calls for road safety improvements to encourage more cycling and ease congestion, following publication of a cycling inquiry with Cycling UK Northern Ireland. He says the inquiry has been shared with the…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Assembly All-Party Group for Active Travel cycling inquiry publication Original release: McReynolds calls for improved road safety to boost active travel, following publication of inquiry (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Executive dysfunction leaves hospitals facing very difficult winter
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says Executive dysfunction will leave hospitals facing a very difficult winter after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced proposed budget cuts. He calls for the Executive to take responsibility for its decisions, arguing the Health Service's…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt announces proposed cuts from Executive budget allocation Original release: McGrath: Executive dysfunction leaves hospitals facing very difficult winter (opens in a new tab)
-
Allister Bill published
TUV North Antrim MP Jim Allister says his private members' Bill would restore UK law-making sovereignty and replace the Irish Sea customs border with a mutual enforcement arrangement, removing the need for fixed border posts. It would also require cross-community support for any Stormont vote on…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Jim Allister private members' Bill on Protocol and mutual enforcement published Original release: Allister Bill published (opens in a new tab)