Latest releases
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5,775 releases
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SDLP makes history selecting Barr as next Mayor of Derry and Strabane
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood says he is proud the party has chosen Councillor Lilian Barr as its nominee for Mayor of Derry and Strabane, which would make her the first black Mayor in the North. Eastwood praises her community work with migrants and her role in the council.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Lilian Seenoi-Barr Derry Mayor appointment Original release: SDLP makes history selecting Barr as next Mayor of Derry and Strabane (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole challenges O’Neill on Sinn Féin’s ‘open borders’ dog whistle
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA challenges First Minister Michelle O'Neill to stand behind Sinn Féin's stated opposition to border openness, which he calls a far-right dog whistle. He says her answer in the Assembly offered only platitudes and that the party must clarify its…
Constitutional affairs Immigration Issue: Sinn Féin opposition to open borders comments in Assembly Original release: O’Toole challenges O’Neill on Sinn Féin’s ‘open borders’ dog whistle (opens in a new tab)
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Change starts here at the local and European elections – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Housing Health Original release: Change starts here at the local and European elections – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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‘Sinn Féin ready to lead Government of change north and south’ – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, Leas Uachtarán, tells activists in Dublin the party is ready to lead a positive change agenda in government north and south, pitching this at its Local and European election campaign launch. She cites a northern budget set against a decade of Tory cuts, and lists…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Sinn Féin Local and European elections campaign launch in Dublin Original release: ‘Sinn Féin ready to lead Government of change north and south’ – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Allister repudiates DUP attack on Ben Habib and its implementation of Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister, speaking in Dromore, accuses the DUP's Gavin Robinson of disparaging Ben Habib and Baroness Kate Hoey and claims the DUP has become a Protocol implementer. He calls for reunification of the UK and for TUV/Reform UK to stand against the DUP/Donaldson Deal at the General…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: DUP criticism of Ben Habib and Kate Hoey at Dromore event Original release: Allister repudiates DUP attack on Ben Habib and its implementation of Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney urges DAERA Minister to address the pressures on Lough Neagh’s fishing industry
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, has written to the DAERA Minister urging action on financial pressures facing Lough Neagh's commercial freshwater fishermen after last year's shortened eel season. He calls for contingency planning and a communication strategy before summer.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Kearney urges DAERA Minister to address the pressures on Lough Neagh’s fishing industry (opens in a new tab)
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‘Women must be supported and assured throughout smear test review’ – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins urges the Department of Health and relevant trusts to keep affected women informed and supported during the review of thousands of smear tests, and to clear the backlog quickly.
Health Issue: Review of thousands of cervical smear tests backlog Original release: ‘Women must be supported and assured throughout smear test review’ – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to ensure safe staffing levels for social work teams working with children – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the health minister to present a plan tackling children's social work staff shortages as social workers begin industrial action. She says the plan should boost recruitment, keep experienced staff and protect support for vulnerable families.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Children's social workers industrial action begins over staffing shortages Original release: Urgent action needed to ensure safe staffing levels for social work teams working with children – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie challenges Executive partners U-turn on Health commitment
UUP MLA Mr Beattie challenges Executive partners over a £184 million health cut, saying the party rejects the budget as presented over losses of almost 150 acute hospital beds, 1.1 million hours of domiciliary care and 500 care home beds. He calls for an urgent meeting of party leaders to resolve…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Northern Ireland Executive budget allocations 2024 Original release: Beattie challenges Executive partners U-turn on Health commitment (opens in a new tab)
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SEN children must be placed suitably and on time – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to ensure pupils with special educational needs are placed in suitable schools on time this September, after the Department warned schools of a shortfall in SEN places.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education warning on SEN places for September Original release: SEN children must be placed suitably and on time – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Time to deliver on potential of Maze Long Kesh site, says Alliance representatives
Alliance MLAs Sorcha Eastwood and David Honeyford call for no further delay on the Maze Long Kesh site, saying the development corporation has existed for over a decade without agreed plans. Eastwood welcomes groups using parts of the site and cross-party backing to act, and Honeyford says…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Stormont debate on the future of the Maze Long Kesh site Original release: Time to deliver on potential of Maze Long Kesh site, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Support for NI foster carers lagging behind: Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds calls on Health Minister Robin Swann to urgently increase foster carer allowances, ahead of an Assembly debate on a DUP motion on recruiting more foster carers. She says allowances lag behind other UK regions and the Republic, and do not cover the full cost of caring for a child.
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly debate on DUP motion on foster carer recruitment Original release: Support for NI foster carers lagging behind: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor Brian Smyth has voiced his concerns over the language used by DAREA Minister
Green Party Councillor for Lisnasharragh Brian Smyth says he is worried DAREA Minister Andrew Muir is shifting responsibility for Lough Neagh by citing possible lack of funds. He calls for stronger action against polluters and an independent environmental protection agency.
Environment and climate Issue: DAREA Minister Andrew Muir's Lough Neagh recovery plan funding remarks Original release: Councillor Brian Smyth has voiced his concerns over the language used by DAREA Minister (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Disappointment for health staff and patients as Assembly backs free parking delay
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says health staff and patients will be very disappointed after the Assembly approved a two‑year delay to free hospital parking, and urges the Health Minister to introduce the scheme as soon as possible.
Health Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: McGrath: Disappointment for health staff and patients as Assembly backs free parking delay (opens in a new tab)
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Blair commends disposable vape ban on Earth Day 2024
Alliance's environment spokesperson John Blair MLA backs the DAERA Minister's proposed ban on disposable vapes on Earth Day, arguing they add plastic waste that litters streets and harms oceans and wildlife.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA proposed ban on disposable vapes in Northern Ireland Original release: Blair commends disposable vape ban on Earth Day 2024 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Opposition proposes amendment to expedite free hospital car parking
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has tabled an amendment to cut the Executive's proposed two-year delay to free hospital car parking to one year. He says the system could be in place by autumn and urges the Health Minister to commit to free staff parking without delay.
Health Issue: Assembly legislation delaying abolition of hospital parking charges Original release: SDLP Opposition proposes amendment to expedite free hospital car parking (opens in a new tab)
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This must be decision week for the Budget – Beattie
UUP Leader Doug Beattie says the Executive must make decisions this week on a new 2024/25 Budget, warning that continued delay is destabilising and damaging core services such as health. He urges the Finance Minister's paper to move to the Executive table and money to be allocated urgently.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Executive 2024/25 Budget agreement delay Original release: This must be decision week for the Budget – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Parties need to be clear on “gender-affirming healthcare”
DUP MP Carla Lockhart calls on parties to state their position on gender-affirming healthcare and asks the Health Minister to clarify the Department of Health's approach following the Cass Report. She accuses Alliance and Sinn Féin of silence since its publication.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Cass Report publication on gender-affirming healthcare Original release: Parties need to be clear on “gender-affirming healthcare” (opens in a new tab)
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TUV councillors welcome Freedom of Causeway Coast and Glens to health and care workers
TUV councillors Allister Kyle and Jonathan McCauley welcome Causeway Coast and Glens Council's decision to award its Freedom to the NHS and health and care workers in recognition of their work during the COVID pandemic.
Health Local government Issue: Causeway Coast and Glens Council Freedom award to NHS health and care workers Original release: TUV councillors welcome Freedom of Causeway Coast and Glens to health and care workers (opens in a new tab)
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Lagan Valley TUV looking forward to Dromore rally
Lagan Valley TUV branch chairman Stewart Ferris previews a public rally in Dromore on Friday 26 April, featuring Ann Widdecombe, Ben Habib, Kate Hoey and Jim Allister, which he says is the first major TUV and Reform UK event since their Memorandum of Understanding. He says it will press the…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Reform UK and TUV anti-Protocol rally in Dromore Original release: Lagan Valley TUV looking forward to Dromore rally (opens in a new tab)