Latest releases
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2,606 releases
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Budget impasse a scandal which risks real term cuts to public services
UUP Finance Spokesperson Steve Aiken condemns the lack of an agreed Executive budget, saying departments face real-terms cuts under interim spending limits and health services, including staff pay awards and waiting list progress, are suffering.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Executive failure to pass multi-year budget Original release: Budget impasse a scandal which risks real term cuts to public services (opens in a new tab)
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There must be no more delays to delivering a mother and baby unit – McGuigan
SF MLA Philip McGuigan, chair of the Health Committee, welcomes progress on a perinatal mental health unit for mothers and babies in Belfast following a Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announcement. He says interim support has not been agreed and urges the minister to avoid further delays, secure…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt announcement on Belfast mother and baby unit Original release: There must be no more delays to delivering a mother and baby unit – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive must deal with wildfire causes
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath urges the Executive to address the root causes of wildfires after recent fires in the Mournes and elsewhere, saying previous plans lacked funding or were never implemented and calling an end to the repeated cycle.
Environment and climate Issue: Recent wildfires in the Mourne Mountains and other parts of the North Original release: McGrath: Executive must deal with wildfire causes (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie hits out at Justice Minister over policing funding crisis
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA hits back at Justice Minister Naomi Long after her Nolan Show appearance, saying the PSNI is underfunded and blaming the Justice Department and Alliance for failing to fight for policing funding.
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Issue: Justice Minister Naomi Long's Nolan Show comments on policing funding Original release: Beattie hits out at Justice Minister over policing funding crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Progress on Regional Mother and Baby Unit welcome but lack of interim measure disappointing, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes confirmation that the new Regional Mother and Baby Unit will be located at Belfast City Hospital, but says it is disappointing that no interim provision will be in place before the facility opens.
Health Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt announcement on Belfast mother and baby unit Original release: Progress on Regional Mother and Baby Unit welcome but lack of interim measure disappointing, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Delay in appointment of Climate Commissioner inexcusable, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA says the continued vacancy of the Climate Commissioner post, which legislation requires, is inexcusable, and accuses the DUP of deliberately stalling the appointment despite regulations being in place for over a year. She argues a commissioner would help deliver…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Delay in appointment of Climate Commissioner inexcusable, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party welcomes landmark public health reform as Tobacco and Vapes Act becomes law
UUP MP Robin Swann and Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcome Royal Assent for the Tobacco and Vapes Act, calling it a landmark for public health in Northern Ireland. Chambers says smoking causes over 2,000 deaths a year locally and credits the Assembly's Legislative Consent Motion request.
Health Issue: Tobacco and Vapes Act receives Royal Assent Original release: Ulster Unionist Party welcomes landmark public health reform as Tobacco and Vapes Act becomes law (opens in a new tab)
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Strategy without action is failing the Mournes – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls for political will to protect the Mournes from deliberate landscape fires, saying a new wildfire framework from the Environment Minister is welcome but must be matched by timely action. He urges tighter enforcement, including licensing and penalties, and more…
Environment and climate Issue: Environment Minister's wildfire strategy framework Original release: Strategy without action is failing the Mournes – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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SF soundbites won’t deliver A5 - Erskine
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine challenges Sinn Féin to back repeated A5 promises with action, blaming net zero climate targets for blocking projects and citing £150 million spent with no tarmac laid and £6.6 million returned for the A4 Enniskillen Bypass.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Original release: SF soundbites won’t deliver A5 - Erskine (opens in a new tab)
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Butler says better upland farming key to preventing Mourne wildfires
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, Agriculture Spokesperson and AERA Committee Chairman, reacts to Mourne Mountains wildfires with around 95 firefighters deployed, calling for better upland farming and gorse management to reduce fire risk and support grazing.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Mournes wildfires at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge Original release: Butler says better upland farming key to preventing Mourne wildfires (opens in a new tab)
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Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing Bill in the Assembly, saying it bans petroleum exploration and licensing and credits Fermanagh and Leitrim communities who campaigned against fracking. She argues new fossil fuel exploration would be reckless amid climate…
Environment and climate Issue: Petroleum Exploration and Licensing Bill Assembly debate Original release: Banning petroleum exploration and licensing ‘important step forward in protecting both people and the planet’ – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan backs the proposed Just Transition Commission, put forward by the Environment Minister, saying it would help make climate change actions fair and measured while remaining effective. She says it would give agriculture, energy and infrastructure representation as the…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed Just Transition Commission from the Environment Minister Original release: Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Independent Autism Reviewer's initial findings will help shape policy to improve services for autistic people, and says the report exposes a gap between policy and reality. He calls for the Assembly and Health Committee to keep scrutinising delivery and press…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Independent Autism Reviewer's report shows autism services in Northern Ireland are failing in practice despite years of commitments. He calls on the Health Minister to take ownership and drive cross-government coordination, clear…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality (opens in a new tab)
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Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly welcomes the first Annual Report of the Independent Autism Reviewer, Ema Cubitt, saying it must set a benchmark for services. He cites a finding that 90% of respondents felt unheard when seeking help and calls for findings to drive real improvements.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard praises fire crews tackling Mournes fires and urges public caution
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard thanks emergency services tackling two wildfires overnight in the Mournes at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge, and urges the public to stay away from affected areas and heed the yellow wildfire warning.
Environment and climate Issue: Mournes wildfires at Slievenaman Road and Bloody Bridge Original release: Hazzard praises fire crews tackling Mournes fires and urges public caution (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, in her Ard Fheis address, calls for an emergency budget with a substantial fuel excise cut, €400 electricity credits, a €500 disability payment and a permanent USC cut. She accuses Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of failing working families and says the British…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland cancer waiting times worst in UK
TUV leader Jim Allister says a Cancer Research UK report showing Northern Ireland has the worst cancer waits in the UK is further evidence Stormont must act now. He cites only about 31% of patients starting treatment within 62 days in 2025 and calls for more investment, lung screening and a lower…
Health Issue: Cancer Research UK Northern Ireland Overview 2026 cancer waiting times report Original release: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times worst in UK (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan comments on latest emergency care waiting time statistics
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says recent emergency care waiting figures point to sustained strain in emergency departments, citing only 40.2% of patients seen within four hours and a sharp rise in 12-hour waits. He urges the Health Minister to tackle hospital flow, delayed discharges and…
Health Issue: Emergency care waiting time statistics for the last three months Original release: McGuigan comments on latest emergency care waiting time statistics (opens in a new tab)
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Healthcare transformation essential to tackle alarming ED wait times, says Donnelly
Alliance spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls on the Health Minister to prioritise healthcare transformation after new Department of Health figures showed a rise of over 14 per cent in patients waiting more than 12 hours in Emergency Departments.
Health Issue: Emergency care waiting time statistics for the last three months Original release: Healthcare transformation essential to tackle alarming ED wait times, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)