Latest releases
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3,532 releases
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Muir calls for urgent measures to cope with MOT backlog
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA calls for the Department for Infrastructure to reintroduce temporary exemption certificates for MOT tests to ease the backlog. He also asks for a longer reminder letter period so motorists are not left travelling long distances for test slots.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: MOT testing backlog at DVA centres Original release: Muir calls for urgent measures to cope with MOT backlog (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to improve access to GPs – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says people need greater GP access and calls for the Executive to be restored to invest an extra £1 billion in health. He is worried by a temporary freeze on patients moving GP practices in North Down, Ards and East Belfast, which he calls a short-term fix, and blames…
Health Issue: Temporary freeze on GP patient registrations in North Down, Ards and East Belfast Original release: Executive needed to improve access to GPs – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine welcomes progress on road projects
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine welcomes the Infrastructure Minister's decision to prioritise two Fermanagh and South Tyrone road schemes, the Enniskillen bypass on the A4 and the Cornamuck project on the A32, in 2022/23 ahead of procurement. She says they should have been prioritised far earlier.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister prioritises Enniskillen bypass and Cornamuck road schemes Original release: Erskine welcomes progress on road projects (opens in a new tab)
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2022 catalogue of attacks on Translink staff must stop - Buckley
DUP Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley voices support for Translink workers after a year of attacks on staff across Northern Ireland. He says attackers should face robust court action and severe punishment, and calls for zero tolerance.
Justice and policing Infrastructure and transport Original release: 2022 catalogue of attacks on Translink staff must stop - Buckley (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes dual-strain vaccines
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the UK approval of Moderna's dual-strain Covid-19 vaccine, which targets both the original variant and Omicron, and encourages take-up of the autumn booster.
Health Issue: UK approval of Moderna dual-strain Covid-19 vaccine Original release: Bradshaw welcomes dual-strain vaccines (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan seeks fairer policy on Maternity Allowance for Universal Credit claimants
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan calls for a review of how Maternity Allowance is treated under Universal Credit, where it is deducted from awards unlike Statutory Maternity Pay, and urges the Communities Minister to press Westminster on the policy.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Original release: Durkan seeks fairer policy on Maternity Allowance for Universal Credit claimants (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes secondary breast cancer audit for Northern Ireland
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes a secondary breast cancer audit funded by Cancer Focus NI with the Cancer Registry, which followed lobbying by the Seen to be Heard campaign. She says equal access to trials, drugs and treatment, plus more specialist nurses across Trusts, is…
Health Issue: Secondary breast cancer audit funded by Cancer Focus NI Original release: Bradshaw welcomes secondary breast cancer audit for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast International Airport a key economic driver in South Antrim – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says he met senior management at Belfast International Airport to hear about plans for future development, including new western and eastern air routes, enhanced site amenities and better public transport and rail links.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Belfast International Airport a key economic driver in South Antrim – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party welcomes the announcement of bank building reopening
Green councillor Áine Groogan welcomes the announcement that Primark will return to the historic Bank Buildings in Belfast later this year, following the 2018 fire, and praises its investment in the listed building. She calls for better protection of city centre built heritage and for greener…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Primark return to Bank Buildings Belfast announcement Original release: Green Party welcomes the announcement of bank building reopening (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw reinforces Alliance support for maternity strategy
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says her party backs the Royal College of Midwives' blueprint and calls for a Maternity Strategy with a regional maternity network, better data and consistent safety approaches, after meeting the RCM's Northern Ireland Director.
Health Original release: Bradshaw reinforces Alliance support for maternity strategy (opens in a new tab)
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‘Access to dental care must be a priority’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls for NHS dental access to be made the priority, responding to a BBC investigation finding that most practices in the north are not accepting new patients. He urges progress on urgent dental care for unregistered patients and an Oral Health strategy, and says the…
Health Issue: BBC investigation on adult NHS dentist registration in Northern Ireland Original release: ‘Access to dental care must be a priority’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Dental treatment "not just added extra" – Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says dental care should be central to health reform after a BBC investigation found most adults in Northern Ireland cannot register with an NHS dentist. She calls for urgent action to make dentists more accessible and to train more of them.
Health Issue: BBC investigation on adult NHS dentist registration in Northern Ireland Original release: Dental treatment "not just added extra" – Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Waiting list figures demonstrate need for health service reform
DUP MLA Pam Cameron says figures showing over 17,000 people on waiting lists died in Northern Ireland in three years are deeply disturbing and calls for reform of the health service. She says the problems predate Covid-19 and pledges to press Westminster for funding and a future Executive focused…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland waiting list deaths figures over three years Original release: Waiting list figures demonstrate need for health service reform (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent intervention needed for adult ADHD provision – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls on Health Minister Robin Swann to intervene urgently for adult ADHD services after a constituent was refused NHS medication following a private diagnosis and the Northern Trust reportedly refuses adult referrals.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Urgent intervention needed for adult ADHD provision – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed now to hire more doctors- Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says a possible closure of Priory GP surgery in County Down, due to a shortage of doctors, is troubling for patients. He calls on the Department of Health to step in and explore ways to keep the service open, and urges the restoration of the Executive to fund more GP…
Health Issue: Priory GP surgery possible closure in County Down Original release: Executive needed now to hire more doctors- Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart backs call for haulage taskforce
DUP MP Carla Lockhart joins cross-party MPs in urging the government to set up a haulage taskforce, citing fuel costs, a shortfall of about 11,000 lorry parking spaces and drivers' lack of safe rest facilities.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Lockhart backs call for haulage taskforce (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne alarmed at GP Surgery services being cut in North Down
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne says he is alarmed by the planned cessation of GP services at Priory Surgery in Holywood and Springhill Surgery in Bangor from 1 February 2023, has written to the Health Minister and asked for a meeting to secure new partners and maintain continuity for the 14,525 patients.
Health Issue: Holywood and Bangor GP surgery withdrawal of services from February 2023 Original release: Dunne alarmed at GP Surgery services being cut in North Down (opens in a new tab)
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No place for discrimination against children because of choice of sport – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane expresses dismay at attempts to stop children and young people playing Gaelic Games at Victoria Park in East Belfast. He calls for work on a playing surface there to continue, saying discrimination based on choice of sport has no place in society.
Disability and equality Issue: Victoria Park East Belfast Gaelic Games pitch works halted Original release: No place for discrimination against children because of choice of sport – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Muir: Potential closure of North Down surgery extremely worrying
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir says the announced withdrawal of GP services from February 2023 at two North Down surgeries, affecting over 14,000 patients, is causing serious concern. He calls on the Department of Health to give patients assurances and raise service standards, and says he has requested…
Health Issue: Holywood and Bangor GP surgery withdrawal of services from February 2023 Original release: Muir: Potential closure of North Down surgery extremely worrying (opens in a new tab)
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McCusker: Stormont failing vulnerable people in our communities
SDLP councillor Paul McCusker says the lack of a restored Stormont executive is harming vulnerable people facing homelessness, mental health and addiction problems. He criticises the DUP for blocking the SDLP's bid to elect a Speaker and calls for government-led intervention and health service…
Health Housing Issue: Failed attempt to elect Assembly Speaker, August 2022 Original release: McCusker: Stormont failing vulnerable people in our communities (opens in a new tab)