Latest releases
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3,945 releases
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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 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 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.
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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 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.
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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 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.
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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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Delargy welcomes funding to help students study across Europe
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes the Irish Government's €2 million per year to help students from the north study and take up internships across Europe. He says it follows the loss of Erasmus funding after Brexit and calls for an Executive to be formed now.
Education International affairs Original release: Delargy welcomes funding to help students study across Europe (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 Original release: Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes funding for higher education students
SDLP Higher Education Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin, who is also Foyle MLA, welcomes Irish Government funding enabling northern students to study in Europe after Brexit threatened Erasmus+ access. She criticises the Department for the Economy's previous Minister for a hands-off approach.
Education International affairs Original release: McLaughlin welcomes funding for higher education students (opens in a new tab)
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Economy needs increase in skills funding not further cuts – Murphy
Sinn Féin Economy spokesperson Conor Murphy welcomes the Department for Economy's decision to deliver all-age apprenticeships this financial year despite budget cuts from the British Treasury. He says the scheme closes a funding gap for over-25s and calls for more long-term investment in skills.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Economy needs increase in skills funding not further cuts – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for an end to the differing approach to Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment across health trusts, after meeting Northern Trust management. He says the stalled pilot for validating private diagnoses must be expedited and that a resolution is needed.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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No reason why folic acid legislation cannot include NI
DUP peer Lord Dodds questions why Northern Ireland is excluded from folic acid fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour and calls on the UK Government to legislate to include it, to reduce neural tube defects in babies.
Health Original release: No reason why folic acid legislation cannot include NI (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes confirmation on All Age Apprenticeships
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood welcomes confirmation that All Age Apprenticeships will go ahead this financial year, with the Department for the Economy fully funding off-the-job training, but warns the budget outlook is untenable. She calls for the Assembly and Executive to be restored to oversee…
Education Economy and employment Original release: Eastwood welcomes confirmation on All Age Apprenticeships (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Stark RVH report cannot be ignored
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says a stark RQIA inspection report into the Royal Victoria Hospital emergency department should be a catalyst for change. He calls for transformation of health services and restored Stormont institutions to implement it before winter pressures worsen.
Health Original release: McGrath: Stark RVH report cannot be ignored (opens in a new tab)
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Egan concerned lack of Executive is impeding implementation of Fair Start Report
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says the lack of a functioning Executive and current budget situation will harm delivery of the Fair Start Report, after the fourth progress report found only £2.5 million allocated against £21m recommended for 2023/24.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: Egan concerned lack of Executive is impeding implementation of Fair Start Report (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Tackling educational underachievement requires funding
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan says tackling educational underachievement is impossible without significant funding, after a progress report on the 'A Fair Start' action plan showed £2.5m allocated against £21m recommended by its expert panel.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: McCrossan: Tackling educational underachievement requires funding (opens in a new tab)