Latest releases
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3,708 releases
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Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says cancer patients on waiting lists cannot wait, responding to Department of Health figures on cancer treatment waiting times. She calls for urgent action and the restoration of the Executive, and criticises the delay in the cancer strategy.
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer treatment waiting times figures June 2023 Original release: Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Westminster vote on NIO proposals to bring abortion-promoting relationships and sex education into schools is a backward step for Northern Ireland. She argues the region's abortion laws should not be taught to children and calls for more life-affirming laws.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Westminster vote on NIO proposals for RSE in schools Original release: Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Court ruling will bring relief to asylum seekers looking to rebuild lives, says Nicholl
Alliance Migration spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA says the Court of Appeal’s decision that the UK’s Rwanda asylum scheme is unlawful will bring relief to Northern Ireland asylum seekers rebuilding their lives, and urges faster claim processing and safe routes.
Immigration International affairs Issue: Court of Appeal ruling on Rwanda asylum policy Original release: Court ruling will bring relief to asylum seekers looking to rebuild lives, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Micky Murray says he is disappointed and frustrated that planned Belfast cycling infrastructure, including Lisburn Road and Malone Road routes, may be displaced by the Department for Infrastructure's new Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan. He questions the…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Belfast Cycle Network Plan displacement by Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan Original release: Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, says a meeting with the Education Authority exposed the yearly chaos in Special Educational Needs placements, blaming education cuts and under‑funding and urging Treasury funding, transformational reform and immediate placement of vulnerable p‑
Education Disability and equality Issue: Annual chaos in Special Educational Needs allocations Original release: Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos (opens in a new tab)
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‘British Government should scrap damaging visa legislation’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says British Government plans requiring Electronic Travel Authorisation for Irish residents without an Irish passport and for visitors from the south to the North would devastate tourism, and calls for the proposals to be scrapped and the Irish government to oppose them.
Immigration Economy and employment Issue: British Government electronic travel authorisation rules for north-south travel Original release: ‘British Government should scrap damaging visa legislation’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges the Secretary of State to act now on underinvestment in Special Educational Needs provision, saying shortfalls in SEN places in special and mainstream schools are failing children and families, with no Executive or Assembly in place.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs (opens in a new tab)
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Paisley - "this attack does not represent North Antrim"
DUP MP Ian Paisley condemns an attack on the homes of several migrant families in Ballymena, saying racism and intolerance have no place in the town and that those responsible should be held accountable.
Community relations and legacy Immigration Issue: Ballymena attack on migrant families' homes Original release: Paisley - "this attack does not represent North Antrim" (opens in a new tab)
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The Alliance Party and transgenderism
TUV's North Down branch president Patrick J. Roche accuses the Alliance Party of full commitment to transgenderism, citing Naomi Long's handling of a 'what is a woman?' question and a drag story reading, and MLA Connie Eagan's planned bill on relationship and sex education. He also attacks deputy…
Disability and equality Education Issue: Alliance Party stance on transgender issues and Gender Recognition Reform Bill Original release: The Alliance Party and transgenderism (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan calls on the Education Authority to find school places for over 800 children with special educational needs still awaiting confirmation of a place for next year. He says families need immediate clarity and urges investment in resourcing schools and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: McCrossan: Education Authority must find places for SEN children (opens in a new tab)
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Fundamental review of children’s services ‘long overdue’ – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls for a fundamental review of children's services, citing an independent review finding over 4,000 children waiting for assessments and support from social care, and pointing to rising demand, staffing pressures and budget strain.
Health Issue: Independent review finding over 4,000 children waiting for social care assessments Original release: Fundamental review of children’s services ‘long overdue’ – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes confirmation that Arvalee Special School in Omagh will keep full-time hours for nursery pupils after an Education Authority cut to two and a half hours was reversed. She says discussions between the EA and the school must continue and blames Tory cuts and the…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts nursery hours at Arvalee Special School Original release: Confirmation Arvalee Special School will continue to have full-time ‘relief for parents and children’ – Brogan (opens in a new tab)
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Long term plan needed to secure Daisy Hill – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says new proposals to stabilise Daisy Hill Hospital services are a step forward but need much more work to restore staff and community confidence. She says the Southern Trust must move quickly on a long-term plan, and she will press its leadership at a meeting the next…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital services stabilisation proposals Original release: Long term plan needed to secure Daisy Hill – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Refugee Week an opportunity to demonstrate compassion and generosity to those who have been forced to flee their homes, says Nicholl
Alliance spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA, marking Refugee Week, says seeking asylum is a human right and calls for safe and legal routes for refugees. She also urges better access to healthcare, education and financial support for new arrivals in Northern Ireland, and criticises the UK government's…
Immigration International affairs Original release: Refugee Week an opportunity to demonstrate compassion and generosity to those who have been forced to flee their homes, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says it is unacceptable that families of children with additional needs are anxiously waiting to learn whether they will secure a nursery place. He calls for an end to the DUP's boycott of the Executive so parties can work together to support vulnerable children and young…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs nursery placement uncertainty and Executive impasse Original release: Executive needed to support vulnerable children and young people – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to drive forward reform of children’s social care services, say Alliance representatives
Naomi Long, Alliance leader and MLA, and health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, MLA, welcome the children’s social‑care review report and say an Executive is required to act on its 53 recommendations, warning that delays will worsen outcomes for thousands of waiting children.
Health Issue: Children’s social care services review report publication Original release: Executive needed to drive forward reform of children’s social care services, say Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says the Department for Communities budget allocations will reduce support for vulnerable people, including the homeless, people with disabilities, addiction service users and domestic abuse victims. She cites cuts to new homes and rising homelessness spending, and…
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Department for Communities budget allocations for the forthcoming financial year Original release: Communities budget will reduce support for most vulnerable, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA condemns reports that the Educational Authority is considering closing some special school nursery units to fund primary one places, calling it short-sighted and a failure of area planning. She urges the EA and Department of Education to commit to…
Education Disability and equality Issue: EA consideration of closing special school nursery units Original release: Cuts to special education nursery places would disadvantage the most vulnerable, warns Egan, echoing calls for SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill welcomes €56m Irish government investment in Magee and Shared Island projects
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, First Minister Designate, welcomes Irish government funding of €45m for a new Magee campus building in Derry, part of €56m from the Shared Island fund for all-island projects, and calls for the Executive to be restored.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish government €56m Shared Island funding for Magee and all-island projects Original release: O’Neill welcomes €56m Irish government investment in Magee and Shared Island projects (opens in a new tab)
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HRB report on addiction must be a wake-up call for government – Thomas Gould TD
Sinn Féin's Thomas Gould TD urges the government to address funding gaps in addiction and community services after an HRB report recorded over 12,000 people seeking support in 2022. He says Taskforces still face a €3 million shortfall against their 2010 budgets and calls the report a wake-up call.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Research Board report on addiction services in 2022 Original release: HRB report on addiction must be a wake-up call for government – Thomas Gould TD (opens in a new tab)