Latest releases
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3,343 releases
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Loss of European Social Fund will turn people’s lives upside down - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA warns that the loss of European Social Fund money, combined with the lack of a functioning Executive, could put lives at risk. He calls on the Secretary of State to step in immediately and urges the DUP to return to Stormont and form an Executive.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Loss of European Social Fund funding for community and voluntary services Original release: Loss of European Social Fund will turn people’s lives upside down - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance proposal for Council to participate in Pride blocked by DUP and UUP
Alliance Councillor Peter Lavery says a party motion to have Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council join other employers in Belfast Pride and explore a local Pride event was voted down by the DUP and UUP. He accuses the UUP of blocking it and pledges to keep pushing for inclusive council events.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Armagh Banbridge Craigavon council Pride motion defeated by DUP and UUP Original release: Alliance proposal for Council to participate in Pride blocked by DUP and UUP (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: More must be done to tackle violence against women
SDLP councillor Declan McAlinden says more must be done to combat violence against women as he prepares to table a motion at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council calling for better victim services, awareness campaigns, a modern anti‑harassment policy and training for councillors and
Justice and policing Local government Issue: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council motion on violence against women Original release: SDLP: More must be done to tackle violence against women (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says community transport services, including dial-a-lift, are left in limbo over funding and calls on the Department for Infrastructure to give a clear update and carry out an equality impact assessment before deciding their future.
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Original release: Durkan: Every effort must be made to protect community transport (opens in a new tab)
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Time to move forward as deal between EU and Britain is ratified – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, says it is time to move forward as the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee ratifies the EU-British deal, and calls for an Executive to be restored. She urges the British Government to end cuts and invest in public services.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee ratification of the Windsor Framework deal Original release: Time to move forward as deal between EU and Britain is ratified – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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MacManus raises farmers’ concerns with Irish processors
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus says he raised farmers' grievances over low prices set by Irish processors with an IBEC delegation in the European Parliament, also citing the EU-Mercosur deal and the Industrial Emissions Directive, and urges the government to clarify its Mercosur position.
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Original release: MacManus raises farmers’ concerns with Irish processors (opens in a new tab)
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Newry: Public Meeting On Cuts To Daisy Hill Hospital
People Before Profit reports on a public meeting over the Southern Trust's move of emergency general surgery from Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry to Craigavon, which it says was made without community consultation. It criticises the Trust's justifications and says the cuts will further weaken services.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital emergency general surgery move to Craigavon Original release: Newry: Public Meeting On Cuts To Daisy Hill Hospital (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill tells British government ‘serious investment required for sustainable public services’
First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill calls on the British government to make serious investment to stabilise Executive finances after meeting Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris at Hillsborough Castle. She says health services and youth, mental health and special needs provision are under…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Hillsborough Castle meeting with Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris on Executive restoration Original release: O’Neill tells British government ‘serious investment required for sustainable public services’ (opens in a new tab)
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Irish language signage not wanted
TUV council candidate Glenn Moore says new Irish language signs in Mill Park, Tobermore, are unwanted and will harm community relations. He accuses Mid Ulster Council of provoking unionists and wasting ratepayers' money.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Irish language signage erected at Mill Park, Tobermore Original release: Irish language signage not wanted (opens in a new tab)
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Sadness & anger as another woman loses her life: Rachel Woods
Green Party NI Cllr Rachel Woods expresses sadness at the murder of Alesia Nazarova, noting she is thought to be the 17th woman killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. She calls for a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, blaming the DUP's Assembly boycott for delay.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Alesia Nazarova in Northern Ireland Original release: Sadness & anger as another woman loses her life: Rachel Woods (opens in a new tab)
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Futile and punishing blockade should end and Executive restored immediately – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill calls for the DUP blockade to end and the Executive to be restored immediately, saying the public need support on health and the cost of living after the EU-UK negotiation concluded.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Stormont Executive restoration following conclusion of EU-UK Windsor Framework negotiations Original release: Futile and punishing blockade should end and Executive restored immediately – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to help patients who are suffering from cancer – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls for the Executive to be formed now so that cancer patients and their families get help, citing a cancer strategy shelved for a year and long waiting lists. She urges parties to prioritise health investment, hiring doctors and nurses, and tackling waiting lists.
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Harry’s Law must be introduced to end seclusion in schools, urges Egan
Alliance Education Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the Department of Health's regional policy limiting restrictive practices in health and social care, and calls for legislation banning seclusion in schools. She says interim Department of Education guidance is not enough and backs 'Harry's…
Education Health Issue: Department of Health regional policy on restrictive practices in health and social care Original release: Harry’s Law must be introduced to end seclusion in schools, urges Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Pressure on Ulster Hospital highlights need for MIU
TUV candidate for Bangor Central Peter Wilson says pressure at the Ulster Hospital Emergency Department, with 138 patients and 53 awaiting admission, shows the need to reopen Bangor's Minor Injuries Unit, which he says was closed permanently rather than reopened after Covid.
Health Issue: Ulster Hospital Emergency Department pressure and Bangor MIU closure Original release: Pressure on Ulster Hospital highlights need for MIU (opens in a new tab)
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Success of minimum unit pricing in Scotland shows need to make progress here in NI, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says a Lancet study showing minimum unit pricing has averted 156 deaths a year in Scotland shows Northern Ireland needs a similar policy, and calls for a functioning Executive and Assembly to make evidence-based decisions.
Health Issue: Lancet study on Scottish minimum unit pricing alcohol deaths Original release: Success of minimum unit pricing in Scotland shows need to make progress here in NI, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Vulnerable children and young people should not be paying the price for budgetary uncertainty, says Egan
Alliance Education Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA expresses disappointment that the Healthy Happy Minds primary school mental health programme is at risk of being scrapped due to Department of Education budget cuts, and calls for protection of vulnerable children and a restored Executive.
Education Health Issue: Healthy Happy Minds programme at risk of being scrapped Original release: Vulnerable children and young people should not be paying the price for budgetary uncertainty, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong, Chair of the All Party Group on Learning Disability, calls on the UK and Irish governments to fund a £40million rescue package to replace expiring European Social Fund money. She says it would keep 1700 community sector jobs and support 17000 people with disabilities…
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: End of European Social Fund money affecting community sector jobs Original release: Armstrong calls on Prime Minister and Taoiseach to create an emergency fund to save 1700 jobs in the Community Sector (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw calls for crackdown on assaults to emergency workers
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw calls for a crackdown on assaults against ambulance crews and other emergency workers, saying they must be protected from physical and sexual aggression and urging stronger consequences.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Petition to extend Harper's Law to Northern Ireland Original release: Bradshaw calls for crackdown on assaults to emergency workers (opens in a new tab)
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Health and social workers entitled to fair pay and safe working conditions – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says health and social care staff deserve a fair pay rise and safe conditions, praising their resolve after winter strike action. She calls on the British Government to engage with unions and invest more in health, and urges parties to return to the Executive.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health and social care pay strikes and Executive absence Original release: Health and social workers entitled to fair pay and safe working conditions – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to school counselling service will negatively impact young people – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan criticises reductions to the Happy Healthy Minds service that provides counselling in schools, warning it will harm children and remove mental health support, and says the party has told the Education Department more investment is needed.
Education Health Issue: Happy Healthy Minds school counselling service funding reduction Original release: Cuts to school counselling service will negatively impact young people – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)