Latest releases
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3,054 releases
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Access to PrEP key to ending HIV stigma, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says broader access to PrEP and PEP would help end HIV stigma, following 76 new cases recorded in 2021. She calls for more work to change attitudes and make treatments more widely available.
Health Issue: 76 new HIV cases recorded in 2021 Original release: Access to PrEP key to ending HIV stigma, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance MLAs endorse “Never Cross the Line” campaign
Alliance MLAs endorse Ulster GAA's "Never Cross the Line" campaign on violence against women, which aims to teach young people about consent. Sports Spokesperson David Honeyford calls for similar campaigns across other sports, and Connie Egan urges sporting bodies to host workshops.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Alliance MLAs endorse “Never Cross the Line” campaign (opens in a new tab)
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‘DUP talking out of both sides of their mouth on Protocol’ – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane accuses the DUP of inconsistency on the Protocol, citing MLA Edwin Poots lobbying to amend the Protocol Bill to protect farm benefits, and calls for an end to the Executive boycott.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: ‘DUP talking out of both sides of their mouth on Protocol’ – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to invest in health services – Gildernew
Sinn Féin spokesperson for health Colm Gildernew says an Executive is needed to tackle growing pressures in health and social care and invest in services, responding to remarks by Health Permanent Secretary Peter May. He points to a three-year budget proposed by Conor Murphy with an extra £1…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Permanent Secretary Peter May comments on health system pressures Original release: Executive needed to invest in health services – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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A sad day for rights of the disabled – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart, who chairs the All-Party Pro-Life Group at Westminster, says the Court of Appeal's rejection of Heidi Crowter's challenge to allow abortion up to birth for babies with Down's syndrome is a sad day for disabled people's rights. She hopes Crowter will take the case to the…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Court of Appeal rejects Heidi Crowter challenge on Down's syndrome abortion law Original release: A sad day for rights of the disabled – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Education Authority proposes huge unnecessary expense on Irish – but includes no costings
TUV leader Jim Allister urges the public to respond to the Education Authority's interim Irish-language services policy, arguing its proposals, such as Irish voicemail options and translator meetings, carry vast unCosted expense amid budget pressures.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Education Authority interim policy on Irish-language services consultation Original release: Education Authority proposes huge unnecessary expense on Irish – but includes no costings (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Rachel Woods reiterates calls for Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
Green Party Councillor Rachel Woods calls for a Northern Ireland Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, saying the lack of an Executive has stalled delivery despite promises, and urges mandatory relationship and sexuality education alongside recent abuse legislation.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Original release: Cllr Rachel Woods reiterates calls for Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Termination of Ballymena GPs contracts a sad state of affairs and indicates need for institutional reform, says O’Lynn
Alliance North Antrim MLA Patricia O'Lynn says she is saddened by the termination of two Ballymena GP practice contracts, which could close services for over 7,000 patients, and blames the DUP's boycott of the institutions for stalling health decision-making and calling for institutional reform.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Ballymena GP practices terminating contracts and potential closure Original release: Termination of Ballymena GPs contracts a sad state of affairs and indicates need for institutional reform, says O’Lynn (opens in a new tab)
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Violence against women and girls must be eliminated from our society, says Egan
Alliance Spokesperson for Violence Against Women & Girls Connie Egan MLA says targeted gender-based violence must be eliminated, citing 32,000 PSNI domestic abuse incidents in 2021 and calling for the stalled Executive Office VAWG strategy to move forward without ministerial sign-off.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Violence against women and girls must be eliminated from our society, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson echoes calls for justice for communities at the frontline of the climate emergency
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson, speaking as COP27 closed with a deal on loss and damage funding for vulnerable nations, says wealthy industrialised countries bear disproportionate blame for climate harm and calls for justice for affected communities. He welcomes the new fund and points to Alliance's…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: COP27 agreement on damage and loss financial assistance Original release: Tennyson echoes calls for justice for communities at the frontline of the climate emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Reid expresses concern over GP surgery closures
SDLP councillor Eugene Reid expresses concern over two Ballymena GP surgeries handing back their contracts, affecting around 7,000 patients. He calls on the Department of Health to find doctors to take over the practices and links the situation to GP workforce planning shortfalls.
Health Issue: Ballymena GP practices terminating contracts and potential closure Original release: Reid expresses concern over GP surgery closures (opens in a new tab)
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Immediate funding needed to tackle delays in discharging patients – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín calls for immediate additional funding for social care to tackle delays in discharging patients from hospitals, and for mileage costs to be met for domiciliary care workers in rural areas. She also urges the DUP to end its boycott so an Executive can be formed.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Meeting between five main parties and Department of Health Permanent Secretary on discharge delays Original release: Immediate funding needed to tackle delays in discharging patients – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Tory budget highlights the cost of DUP boycott – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy says the DUP's refusal to let the Executive set a budget will hurt hospital waiting lists and businesses, after the British Government's one-year budget left out extra business rates relief.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: British Government one-year budget for Northern Ireland, November 2022 Original release: Tory budget highlights the cost of DUP boycott – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Unpaid carers among the hardest hit groups by the cost of living crisis in NI, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says unpaid carers are among those worst affected by rising living costs, citing higher energy, heating, food and transport bills. She points to new figures showing 27% of carers struggling to make ends meet and 23% cutting back on essentials, and blames the DUP's…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI cost of living statistics on carers' financial struggles Original release: Unpaid carers among the hardest hit groups by the cost of living crisis in NI, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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It is vital a maternity unit is kept at Causeway
The DUP's representatives for East Londonderry and North Antrim, including MPs Ian Paisley and Gregory Campbell and MLAs Alan Robinson, Paul Frew and Maurice Bradley, say a maternity unit must be kept at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. They oppose a Trust option to move maternity services to a new…
Health Issue: Northern Trust maternity services reconfiguration consultation Original release: It is vital a maternity unit is kept at Causeway (opens in a new tab)
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"Aontú calls for urgent help for unpaid carers."
Aontú's Kieran Mc Causland, Upper Bann representative, calls for urgent funding and reliable respite breaks for unpaid carers, citing the £69.70 weekly carer's allowance and the loss of entitlement for those earning above £132.
Social security and welfare Health Original release: "Aontú calls for urgent help for unpaid carers." (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes new air route announcement
Alliance South Antrim MLA John Blair welcomes plans by Fly Atlantic to launch a transatlantic route from Belfast International Airport from summer 2024. He calls on the UK Government to protect connectivity for outlying parts of the UK while cutting aviation's carbon footprint.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Fly Atlantic proposed transatlantic and European routes from Belfast International Airport Original release: Blair welcomes new air route announcement (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of Minister to lead on maternity services reconfiguration frustrating, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA warns that reconfiguring maternity and other services during a crisis, without a Health Minister or Committee able to scrutinise, will see services crumble, as the Northern Trust begins consulting on maternity reconfiguration.
Health Issue: Northern Trust maternity services reconfiguration consultation Original release: Lack of Minister to lead on maternity services reconfiguration frustrating, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Collapse of services is not transformation – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says the recent withdrawal of emergency surgery at South West Acute Hospital is a service collapse, not reform, and urges the Western Trust to publish its plans for recruiting surgeons. He also calls on the DUP to end its boycott and allow an Executive to be formed.
Health Issue: Potential loss of emergency surgical services at South West Acute Hospital Original release: Collapse of services is not transformation – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Lisnaskea GP practice pressures reinforce need for MLAs to get to work on reform, says Bradshaw
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw says the Stormont deadlock is worsening pressures on GPs after the Maple Healthcare practice in Lisnaskea signalled it may hand back its contract. She calls for MLAs to restore the Executive and pursue health reform, and accuses the DUP of using health services as…
Health Issue: Maple Healthcare Lisnaskea GP practice contract hand-back Original release: Lisnaskea GP practice pressures reinforce need for MLAs to get to work on reform, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)