Latest releases
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4,971 releases
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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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Lockhart - SF over ‘self-indulgent’ border poll comments
DUP agri-food spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP says Sinn Fein should respect the political neutrality of farming organisations after MEP Chris MacManus urged them to engage in a border poll debate. She calls the proposal self-indulgent and irresponsible.
Constitutional affairs Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Sinn Fein call for farming organisations to engage in border poll debate Original release: Lockhart - SF over ‘self-indulgent’ border poll comments (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 Issue: DAERA misses deadline for first Environment Improvement Plan Original release: Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to address biggest crisis in NI in last 25 years, says Farry
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP says Northern Ireland faces its most serious situation since the Good Friday Agreement, after a cross-party meeting with the Head of the Civil Service. He calls for a financial package and an Executive to be formed, blaming the DUP for the governance vacuum.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Cross-party meeting with Head of the Civil Service on NI budget crisis Original release: Executive needed to address biggest crisis in NI in last 25 years, says Farry (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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Windsor whitewash exposed by House of Lords report
TUV party treasurer Councillor Timothy Gaston says a House of Lords committee report on the Windsor Framework undermines government claims, citing concerns on burdens for non-retail goods, green lane retail, medicines and the Stormont brake, and calls Windsor a whitewash.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: House of Lords committee report on the Windsor Framework Original release: Windsor whitewash exposed by House of Lords report (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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Voices of farming and Rural communities must be heard in Unity conversation – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus urges rural and farming representative bodies to join the discussion on Irish reunification, arguing agriculture could gain most and that Brexit has hit the agri-food sector hard. He spoke at the Erris Agricultural Show in Belmullet, County Mayo.
Constitutional affairs Agriculture and rural affairs Original release: Voices of farming and Rural communities must be heard in Unity conversation – MacManus (opens in a new tab)
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Report proves problems have not been settled by Windsor Framework
The DUP's Lord Dodds says a House of Lords sub-committee report on the Windsor Framework shows unresolved problems and that the framework leaves businesses worse off than under earlier arrangements. He cites red and green lane workability and groupage issues, and calls the framework a failure…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: House of Lords committee report on the Windsor Framework Original release: Report proves problems have not been settled by Windsor Framework (opens in a new tab)
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Doug Beattie MC MLA Comments on the Lords Report on the Windsor Framework
UUP MLA Doug Beattie says the Lords report confirms that boycotting Stormont has not altered the Protocol, criticises the Windsor Framework as a sub‑optimal starting point, urges Unionists to restore the Executive and challenge the Framework from within, and warns that without negotiations a move to
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: House of Lords committee report on the Windsor Framework Original release: Doug Beattie MC MLA Comments on the Lords Report on the Windsor Framework (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)
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Direct Action On Climate Change “Not A Crime”
People Before Profit says Greta Thunberg was fined by a Swedish court for blocking oil trucks bound for Malmo harbour, and argues governments, not activists, are the real criminals. It backs direct action, cites Ireland's government opposing a bill to keep fossil fuels in the ground, and calls for…
Environment and climate Issue: Greta Thunberg fined in Sweden over oil truck blockade Original release: Direct Action On Climate Change “Not A Crime” (opens in a new tab)
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Actions not words are needed: Sir Jeffrey
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson responds to the Secretary of State, saying trust was eroded by ignored unionist concerns and calling for concrete UK Government action rather than statements on the Windsor Framework, EU laws and the Protocol. He also says the Barnett formula must be replaced with…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Secretary of State comments on unionist trust and the Windsor Framework Original release: Actions not words are needed: Sir Jeffrey (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent need for Executive to tackle chronic hospital pressures – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says reports of patients waiting days in corridors at the Royal are deeply concerning and calls for an Executive to be formed now to fund and fix pressures in the health service.
Health Issue: Reports of patients waiting days in Royal Hospital corridors Original release: Urgent need for Executive to tackle chronic hospital pressures – Dillon (opens in a new tab)