Latest releases
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4,215 releases
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Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA rejects the current Health Budget, saying it is unfairly drawn up without ministers and calls for the Core Grants Funding Scheme to be maintained and expanded to tackle health inequalities.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: 2023 Health Budget rejection Original release: Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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John Stewart MLA Calls for Action on MoT Waiting Lists
UUP MLA John Stewart calls for action on the MoT backlog, urging the re‑introduction of a Temporary Exemption Certificate to clear delays and allow fines to be appealed after motorists were told the next test date is November 2023.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: MoT testing backlog November 2023 next available date Original release: John Stewart MLA Calls for Action on MoT Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)
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A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood
Lagan Valley MLA Sorcha Eastwood says the DUP's boycott of the Executive is stalling phase two of A1 safety works between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland, which need Ministerial sign-off. She is writing to the Permanent Secretary and will raise it with the Secretary of State.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A1 Hillsborough to Loughbrickland safety improvements stalled by ministerial sign-off Original release: A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Concerning increases in people presenting for alcohol treatment – Thomas Gould TD
Sinn Féin's addiction and wellbeing spokesperson Thomas Gould TD urges the government to fund a response to an 8% rise in problem alcohol use reported by the Health Research Board, noting services are at capacity, a postcode lottery exists, and key parts of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act remain un‑
Health Issue: Health Research Board data on rising problem alcohol use Original release: Concerning increases in people presenting for alcohol treatment – Thomas Gould TD (opens in a new tab)
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Mike Nesbitt MLA Calls for Duty Free Anomaly to be Rectified.
UUP economy spokesperson Mike Nesbitt MLA calls for urgent action to let Northern Ireland's three airports reinstate duty free shopping on flights to the EU, saying the absence drives travellers to Republic of Ireland airports. He argues the current regime under the Windsor Framework is an anomaly…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Mike Nesbitt MLA Calls for Duty Free Anomaly to be Rectified. (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 Issue: Belfast City Council test purchases showing illegal vape sales to under-18s 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.
Health Issue: Unfilled GP training places in Northern Ireland Original release: Executive needed to start fixing problems in health service – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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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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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.
Health Issue: Breastival #MoreThanMilk photo exhibition at Stormont Original release: Visibility and support crucial for increasing breastfeeding rates, says Nicholl, marking World Breastfeeding Week (opens in a new tab)
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Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell urges the public to respond to the DfI consultation on changes to concessionary fares for over-60s, and calls on the Department to protect the scheme, citing Translink figures showing over nine million senior journeys in 2022.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DFI consultation on raising free bus pass eligibility age Original release: Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme (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.
Health Issue: GP Elective Care Service funding cut Original release: Cuts to specialist GP services will pile more pressure on health service – Dillon (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 Issue: Northern Trust Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment provision meeting 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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Heavy on infrastructure ideas but light on delivery
DUP infrastructure spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett says the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and Union Connectivity Review offer useful vision but lack practical follow-through. He cites the York Street Interchange, funded in 2017 yet still not started, and says the party will…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Heavy on infrastructure ideas but light on delivery (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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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 Issue: RQIA inspection report on Royal Victoria Hospital emergency department Original release: McGrath: Stark RVH report cannot be ignored (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must act and invest as called for in All Island Strategic Rail Review – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus calls on the Transport Minister to invest in rail after the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, welcoming the proposed Western Rail Corridor restoration and hourly services between major cities. He criticises the lack of investment north of Claremorris and says Donegal…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Minister must act and invest as called for in All Island Strategic Rail Review – MacManus (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to publish all-Ireland rail review – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan urges that an Executive be formed without delay so the draft all-Ireland rail review can be fully published and its recommendations weighed. He welcomes the draft's release as a step forward and calls for more investment in northern rail, particularly in the north-west.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Executive needed to publish all-Ireland rail review – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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All Island Rail Review shows government must now step up to grow Ireland’s rail networks – Martin Kenny TD
Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Martin Kenny TD welcomes the draft All Island Rail Review and urges the government to produce a timed action plan to invest in rail, citing planned frequency, decarbonisation and freight capacity gains. He also calls for progress on the Western Rail Corridor and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: All Island Rail Review shows government must now step up to grow Ireland’s rail networks – Martin Kenny TD (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Once in a generation opportunity to restore rail infrastructure
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the All Island Strategic Rail Review offers a rare chance to rebuild rail across the North before its draft is published. He highlights a £30bn plan and a recommended Letterkenny–Derry–Portadown route.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Eastwood: Once in a generation opportunity to restore rail infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government working with local universities train more health professionals positive news- Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the Irish Government’s decision to fund student places for health‑care training in the north, including 50 new slots for physiotherapy, occupational and speech‑language therapy, plus additional places for nursing and midwifery, calling it a vital boost for the a‑s
Health Education Issue: Irish Government funds health professional training places in the north Original release: Irish Government working with local universities train more health professionals positive news- Dillon (opens in a new tab)