Latest releases
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4,039 releases
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Save The South West Acute Hospital Now, Save Real Lives Now!’
People Before Profit's Carol Gallagher, Tyrone Branch, says threats to the South West Acute Hospital's emergency services will endanger lives by pushing patients beyond the golden hour. She calls for public protests across Fermanagh and Tyrone to oppose the cuts and the loss of jobs.
Health Issue: Threats to South West Acute Hospital services Original release: Save The South West Acute Hospital Now, Save Real Lives Now!’ (opens in a new tab)
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Safe staffing legislation should be consulted upon urgently, says Bradshaw
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA urges the Department of Health to prepare a consultation on staffing legislation for a future Health Minister to pursue. She argues it could curb agency spending on nursing cover and redirect funds to staff pay and conditions.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Safe staffing legislation consultation call for incoming Health Minister Original release: Safe staffing legislation should be consulted upon urgently, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan
Alliance MLAs Paula Bradshaw and Connie Egan welcome the Secretary of State's ringfenced funding and formal instruction to the Department of Health to commission reproductive health services, calling it a further step, while urging swift full provision locally.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Secretary of State instruction to Department of Health on abortion services commissioning Original release: Further confirmation of ringfenced funding for reproductive health services a welcome step, say Bradshaw and Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Matt Carthy TD slams former Fine Gael leader’s demonisation of border communities
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy calls on former Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes to withdraw and apologise for remarks on the RTÉ documentary Quinn Country that he says demonise border communities. He says the comments reflect attitudes within some sections of Fine Gael.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Alan Dukes remarks on border communities in RTÉ Quinn Country Original release: Matt Carthy TD slams former Fine Gael leader’s demonisation of border communities (opens in a new tab)
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‘Securing future of Shantallow GP practice must be priority’ – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson calls on the Department of Health and Western Trust to urgently secure the future of the Shantallow GP practice after reports that Racecourse Practice has handed back its contract, with six months remaining on it.
Health Issue: Racecourse Practice Shantallow GP contract handback Original release: ‘Securing future of Shantallow GP practice must be priority’ – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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The UCU Strikes
People Before Profit interviews Aisling O'Beirn, a UCU representative at Ulster University, on the picket line over the strike. She describes casualised contracts, rising workloads, staff shortages and cuts to pension benefits as the central issues.
Education Economy and employment Issue: UCU strike at Ulster University Original release: The UCU Strikes (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance MLAs mark World Aids Day and argue that we need to combat the stigma around HIV
Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl and Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA say the World AIDS Day event highlights the need to combat HIV stigma in Northern Ireland, urging a Sexual Health Strategy, comprehensive relationship and sex education in schools and wider access to PrEP and
Health Issue: World AIDS Day 2022 Original release: Alliance MLAs mark World Aids Day and argue that we need to combat the stigma around HIV (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP meets with Royal College of Nursing
SDLP health spokesperson Colin McGrath says the party backs nurses and other health staff in their fight for fair pay and safe conditions, after meeting the Royal College of Nursing ahead of planned strike action. He blames the British government for failing to address long-running concerns and…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Royal College of Nursing planned strike action later this month Original release: SDLP meets with Royal College of Nursing (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin urges progress on tackling sexual offences
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin says new PPS figures on sexual offences, showing prosecution rates rose from 23.6% to 31.6% in 2021/22, show the need for a violence against women and girls plan from a reformed Executive.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PPS annual report on sexual offence prosecutions 2021/22 Original release: McLaughlin urges progress on tackling sexual offences (opens in a new tab)
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Coroner and PSNI should investigate neurology deaths – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says a report into 44 deaths of patients treated by ex-neurologist Michael Watt poses more queries than answers, and calls on the PSNI and Coroner to investigate.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Neurology review of Dr Michael Watt patient deaths Original release: Coroner and PSNI should investigate neurology deaths – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Ruling on ‘collusive behaviour’ claims a positive first step
DUP Lead Policing Board representative Trevor Clarke MLA welcomes a High Court decision allowing retired police officers to challenge Police Ombudsman findings of 'collusive behaviour' against the RUC, saying the ruling is a first step toward defending officers' reputations. He criticises the…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: High Court permission for challenge to Police Ombudsman collusion findings Original release: Ruling on ‘collusive behaviour’ claims a positive first step (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald’s comments are an insult to the Irish People – Stewart
UUP East Antrim MLA John Stewart says Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald's television remarks that the right of the Irish people to fight British imperialism was justified insult the Irish people, arguing IRA atrocities were carried out without any mandate from them.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Mary Lou McDonald television remarks on IRA violence justification Original release: Mary Lou McDonald’s comments are an insult to the Irish People – Stewart (opens in a new tab)
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Dickson calls for a review of support mechanisms for staff experiencing domestic abuse
Alliance Economy Spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA calls on employers to review their policies and procedures so staff experiencing domestic abuse get the right support, citing the 16 days of activism campaign. He urges employers to consider paid leave for appointments, workplace security and…
Justice and policing Economy and employment Original release: Dickson calls for a review of support mechanisms for staff experiencing domestic abuse (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Increase in suicides highlights need for funded mental health strategy
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says tackling the mental health crisis is impossible without a functioning Stormont, calling for an Assembly and Executive to fund a robust mental health strategy after NISRA figures showed 237 suicide deaths last year.
Health Issue: NISRA suicide statistics showing 237 deaths last year Original release: McGrath: Increase in suicides highlights need for funded mental health strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon welcomes campaign to raise awareness of the signs of all types of domestic abuse
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the PSNI's Tis' the Season Christmas campaign on domestic abuse, citing holiday-period call and crime figures, and calls for the Executive to be restored so parties can take forward violence-against-women measures.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI Tis' the Season Christmas domestic abuse awareness campaign Original release: Dillon welcomes campaign to raise awareness of the signs of all types of domestic abuse (opens in a new tab)
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Orange hall attack “another example of hatred and sectarianism”: Irwin
DUP Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin condemns sectarian graffiti sprayed over Crosskeys Orange Hall in County Armagh, calling the attack sickening and urging the perpetrators to desist and face the courts. He also calls on Sinn Fein leadership to challenge its glorification of the IRA and asks…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Attack on Crosskeys Orange Hall Original release: Orange hall attack “another example of hatred and sectarianism”: Irwin (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill challenges governments’ inaction on restoring the Executive
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill asks the British Secretary of State to set out what steps he is taking to restore the Executive, and urges Chris Heaton-Harris to confirm when energy support payments will reach workers and families.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: O’Neill challenges governments’ inaction on restoring the Executive (opens in a new tab)
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Victims of Michael Watt must be focus following report
DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron calls the RQIA expert review of 44 deceased patients treated by former neurologist Michael Watt harrowing, says victims need bespoke wraparound care, and will urge Trusts and the Department of Health to provide it. DUP North Belfast MLA Brian Kingston calls for a…
Health Issue: Neurology review of Dr Michael Watt patient deaths Original release: Victims of Michael Watt must be focus following report (opens in a new tab)
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Ratcliffe condemns over-night attack on Crosskeys Orange Hall and calls out Republican leadership
TUV spokesperson Keith Ratcliffe condemns overnight spray-painting of sectarian and IRA slogans on the Crosskeys Orange Hall in South Armagh. He blames Sinn Féin for glorifying the IRA and calls for Republicans to be challenged more clearly, and urges police to act.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Attack on Crosskeys Orange Hall Original release: Ratcliffe condemns over-night attack on Crosskeys Orange Hall and calls out Republican leadership (opens in a new tab)
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“British Court of Appeal Permits Abortion Up Until Birth on Grounds of Down Syndrome For North of Ireland” – Cllr Doyle
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle criticises a British Court of Appeal ruling that allows abortion on grounds of Down syndrome up to birth, saying it will apply in Northern Ireland. He calls on Stormont to oppose abortion in the North and accuses Sinn Féin and the SDLP of supporting the change.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Court of Appeal rejects Heidi Crowter challenge on Down's syndrome abortion law Original release: “British Court of Appeal Permits Abortion Up Until Birth on Grounds of Down Syndrome For North of Ireland” – Cllr Doyle (opens in a new tab)