Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Disability and equality: remove filter
- Environment and climate: remove filter
- Health: remove filter
- Justice and policing: remove filter
5,212 releases
-
Dodds: New Health Minister faces enormous challenges
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says incoming Health Minister Robbie Butler has a heavy workload and urges him to act quickly on pay, morale, GP strain, cancer waiting times and the Muckamore report. She also asks whether he will continue Mike Nesbitt's approach or reset it.
Health Original release: Dodds: New Health Minister faces enormous challenges (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Council and Agencies Must Answer Over Lurgan Dog Deaths – Buckley
DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley says serious questions remain after two dead dogs were found at a Lurgan property and a 47-year-old man was charged. He has written to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council and Arbour Housing seeking answers on residents' concerns and will meet the PSNI urgently.
Local government Justice and policing Issue: Lurgan discovery of two dead dogs and man charged Original release: Council and Agencies Must Answer Over Lurgan Dog Deaths – Buckley (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Brett: Finucane must answer Kinahan visit questions
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett calls for clarity over reports that SDLP MP John Finucane visited Daniel Kinahan in Portlaoise Prison, saying Sinn Féin's statement that Finucane will not represent Kinahan at trial does not answer that question.
Justice and policing Issue: Reports of John Finucane visiting Daniel Kinahan in Portlaoise Prison Original release: Brett: Finucane must answer Kinahan visit questions (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Robbie Butler MLA appointed Minister of Health
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says he has nominated Robbie Butler MLA to become Northern Ireland’s next Minister of Health, pledging full confidence and urging swift, patient‑focused reforms to improve access to care.
Health Issue: Robbie Butler appointed Health Minister after Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: Robbie Butler MLA appointed Minister of Health (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 20 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Butler cannot be yet another caretaker Health Minister, says McAllister
Alliance spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA congratulates Robbie Butler on becoming Health Minister after Mike Nesbitt's departure, but says he must not be a stopgap, urging him to prioritise health service reform and difficult decisions.
Health Issue: Robbie Butler appointed Health Minister after Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: Butler cannot be yet another caretaker Health Minister, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Dissident groups must leave the stage immediately – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan condemns a claim by a dissident group, calling itself ÓNH, that it had threatened to kill a loyalist in west Belfast. He says threats to kill are unacceptable, that these groups have no support, and calls on them to exit immediately.
Justice and policing Issue: ÓNH dissident group claim of threats against a west Belfast loyalist Original release: Dissident groups must leave the stage immediately – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Carroll: Health service "fraying at the seams" while unionism turns in on itself
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll says the UUP's turmoil over Mike Nesbitt's resignation reflects wider disarray in unionism while the health service is under strain. He criticises the Health Minister's reliance on for-profit healthcare and calls for a properly funded health service.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: Carroll: Health service "fraying at the seams" while unionism turns in on itself (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 31 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
McGuigan convenes urgent meeting of Health committee
Sinn Féin health spokesperson and Health committee Chair Philip McGuigan is convening an urgent Health committee meeting after the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. He says the committee will ask the Department of Health's Permanent Secretary to attend to understand the impact on health…
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: McGuigan convenes urgent meeting of Health committee (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Statement from Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows
UUP leader Jon Burrows thanks Mike Nesbitt for his service as Health Minister after his resignation, says the party will nominate a successor soon, and calls for reform to be engaged with communities, citing concerns around Causeway.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: Statement from Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 17 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Allister urges Minister to reject Trust proposals for Causeway Hospital
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, has written to the health minister urging him to reject the Northern Trust's plan to move emergency general surgery from Causeway Hospital to Antrim Area Hospital. He calls for the Trust to publish the data behind its decision, citing claimed…
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency surgery removal UUP leader comments Original release: Allister urges Minister to reject Trust proposals for Causeway Hospital (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
UUP cannot maintain fiction that there is a separation of party and policy on future of Causeway Hospital
North Antrim MP Jim Allister calls on UUP leader Jon Burrows to clarify whether his party backs his stated position on the future of Causeway Hospital, and whether Health Minister Mike Nesbitt is committed to the Causeway. He says the UUP cannot separate party and policy on the issue.
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital future and UUP party position Original release: UUP cannot maintain fiction that there is a separation of party and policy on future of Causeway Hospital (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Sodium Valproate families deserve recognition, support and redress – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says families affected by sodium valproate deserve recognition, support and redress. She calls on the British Government to clarify its response to the Cumberlege Review and Hughes Report, and on the Northern Ireland Department of Health to gather data on those harmed.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Sodium Valproate families deserve recognition, support and redress – Flynn (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt shows the Executive lacks a serious approach to government, and calls it an insult to healthcare workers and patients. He links it to the failure to agree a Budget and to internal party disputes.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Leadership means more than making speeches: Bradley
DUP East Londonderry MLA Maurice Bradley says the UUP must show its opposition to ending emergency surgery at Causeway Hospital is more than rhetoric. He challenges UUP leader Jon Burrows to use his leadership influence, and asks why the UUP health minister remains in post if Burrows lacks…
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency surgery removal UUP leader comments Original release: Leadership means more than making speeches: Bradley (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 18 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Attack on Israeli journalists in Belfast deeply concerning – Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP condemns reported assault on an Israeli television crew filming in Belfast, saying a cameraman was hit with a glass after their nationality became known. He says the PSNI must fully investigate the incident and its motivation, and that he will raise it with police.
Justice and policing International affairs Issue: Assault on Israeli television crew in Belfast Original release: Attack on Israeli journalists in Belfast deeply concerning – Robinson (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes HSC Chief Executives' plans to speed up cutting agency staffing in the health service. He calls on the Health Minister and Executive to sustain the progress and plan permanent workforce recruitment and retention to avoid a return to…
Health Economy and employment Issue: HSC Chief Executives plan to accelerate reduction of agency staffing Original release: McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Where are the arrests following Londonderry bonfires of hate?
TUV chairman Councillor Allister Kyle asks whether the PSNI will take a similar approach to arrests and bail opposition as after the Moygashel bonfire, following a Londonderry bonfire where Loyal Order collarettes, flags and poppy wreaths were burned. He accuses republicans of hatred and says…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Londonderry republican bonfire scenes and reported sectarian calls Original release: Where are the arrests following Londonderry bonfires of hate? (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Campbell condemns scenes at republican bonfire in Londonderry
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell condemns scenes at a republican bonfire in Londonderry, including poppy wreaths taken from the city's war memorial and flags placed on the pyre. He points to reported calls from its edges for the killing of Protestants and police officers and urges…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Londonderry republican bonfire scenes and reported sectarian calls Original release: Campbell condemns scenes at republican bonfire in Londonderry (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Parker delighted to see progress on car removal from River Lagan
Alliance Lisburn Councillor Nicola Parker welcomes progress on removing a long-stranded car from the River Lagan, after she liaised between council and the Community Rescue Service, which carried out a partial removal operation today.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Dumped car in River Lagan near Lisburn council chamber Original release: Parker delighted to see progress on car removal from River Lagan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Egan condemns racist graffiti in Holywood
Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan condemns racist graffiti found in the Seapark area of Holywood, saying there is no place for hatred or racism in the community. She says Alliance will engage with police to have the graffiti removed and those responsible held to account.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist graffiti found in Seapark area of Holywood Original release: Egan condemns racist graffiti in Holywood (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)