Latest releases
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2,120 releases
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New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the new Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care, due to start on 1 April, but says only a statutory duty of candour will guarantee the openness and transparency the service needs.
Health Issue: Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care publication Original release: New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Sadness following death of bus driver
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty expresses deep sadness at the death of a bus driver in a crash that was carrying St Paul's High School pupils from Bessbrook. He says the children escaped with minor injuries and calls for them to receive support.
Other Issue: Bessbrook St Paul's High School bus crash driver death Original release: McNulty: Sadness following death of bus driver (opens in a new tab)
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Jesse Jackson was a Champion of Civil Rights and a true Friend of Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD says she is deeply saddened by the passing of US civil‑rights champion Jesse Jackson, praising his lifelong fight for justice, his support for Irish self‑determination and his friendship with Sinn Féin, and offers condolences to his family.
Other International affairs Issue: Death of US civil‑rights leader Jesse Jackson Original release: Jesse Jackson was a Champion of Civil Rights and a true Friend of Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Death of Jesse Jackson – Gerry Adams
Former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams expresses a deep sense of loss at the death of American civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson, recalling meeting him in the USA and Ireland and praising his support for the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.
Other International affairs Original release: Death of Jesse Jackson – Gerry Adams (opens in a new tab)
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Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds says Health Minister's position on the puberty blocker trial defies logic, accusing the Ulster Unionist Party of reversing its support within 24 hours. She calls for the trial to be permanently ended, not just paused.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently… (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the First Minister's reply to her Question Time question on veterans was dismissive and offensive. She calls for devolved services such as housing, health and employment support to better recognise the barriers veterans and their families face from repeated deployments and…
Health Issue: First Minister's Question Time reply on veterans support Original release: Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support (opens in a new tab)
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Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says the lack of accurate, consistent mental‑health data in the north hampers service planning and delivery, and calls for a single, standardised data system to help health trusts better plan and support those in need.
Health Issue: Sinn Féin motion for single mental health data system Original release: Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers
TUV equality spokeswoman Ann McClure welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's reversal on Northern Ireland's role in the puberty blocker trial but says he must explain how the decision was made and reversed. Party colleague Timothy Gaston is seeking an urgent Assembly answer from the Minister, and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers (opens in a new tab)
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Campbell Welcomes Government Move to Strengthen Donation Laws
DUP MP Gregory Campbell welcomes proposed government reforms to political donation rules, calling them overdue and necessary, and says Northern Ireland's long-standing funding imbalances favour Sinn Féin. He wants any new provisions to apply consistently across the whole UK.
Other Issue: Government proposed reforms to political donation rules Original release: Campbell Welcomes Government Move to Strengthen Donation Laws (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston Demands Answers After “Dash of Cyanide” Line Appears in NIPSA Election Booklet
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston has written to NIPSA's General Secretary demanding answers over a line reading "add a dash of cyanide" in an election address in the union's 2026 General Council booklet. He asks about editorial oversight, why it was published unremoved, what steps will follow, and whether…
Other Issue: NIPSA General Council election booklet cyanide remark Original release: Gaston Demands Answers After “Dash of Cyanide” Line Appears in NIPSA Election Booklet (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh councillor Adam Gannon says it is unacceptable that Fermanagh patients face up to 90-minute emergency journeys to Altnagelvin, citing an Assembly answer from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt showing a 2025 average of 1 hour 26 minutes. He calls for immediate local provision…
Health Issue: South West Acute Hospital emergency general surgery removal patient journey times Original release: Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds welcomes the ADHD Needs Assessment Report and its proposals for a commissioned ADHD service across Northern Ireland. He calls on the Minister to act on the recommendations and deliver the support people with the condition need.
Health Disability and equality Issue: ADHD Needs Assessment Report publication and commissioned service proposals Original release: Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart calls for urgent delivery on cancer services after the Secretary of State's response in the Commons, citing about 30 per cent of patients treated within expected timeframes. She demands ring-fenced Barnett consequentials for cancer diagnostics, radiotherapy and…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times and outcomes in the Commons Original release: Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes latest example of Northern Ireland health service innovation
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes confirmation that the Royal Victoria Hospital is the first in the UK to trial the Volt Pulsed Field Ablation system for atrial fibrillation. He credits Belfast clinical teams and says the approach allows up to three patients per day and frees…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital Volt Pulsed Field Ablation UK-first trial Original release: Chambers welcomes latest example of Northern Ireland health service innovation (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Raises Serious Concerns Over Puberty Blocker Trials
DUP MLA Diane Dodds, who sits on the Assembly Health Committee, warns children should not be used as test subjects after it was announced Northern Ireland children will join a clinical trial of puberty-blocking drugs. She says children cannot give informed consent and raises concerns about the…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland participation in puberty blocker clinical trial Original release: Dodds Raises Serious Concerns Over Puberty Blocker Trials (opens in a new tab)
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EU must continue direct funding of Peace Projects in Ireland – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy presses the SEUPB on post-2027 funding for Peace Plus, warning no future money has been ringfenced from Brussels and urging the EU to keep the three-pillar model. He also calls for smaller grassroots groups to receive support.
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Peace Plus funding beyond current programme period after EU extension proposal Original release: EU must continue direct funding of Peace Projects in Ireland – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney calls for improved GP services in South Antrim
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says GP services across South Antrim are inconsistent and access is near impossible in some urban areas, calling on the Health Minister for considerable investment and targeted support. He links poor access to pressure on Antrim Area Hospital's emergency department.
Health Original release: Kearney calls for improved GP services in South Antrim (opens in a new tab)
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A full-time thrombectomy service will help stroke patients in North – McGuigan
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson and North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to introduce a 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service, noting it is still only available 8am to 5pm despite a 2022 Stroke Action Plan target of end-2024.
Health Issue: Assembly debate on 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service in the North Original release: A full-time thrombectomy service will help stroke patients in North – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: 24/7 cross-border Thrombectomy Service would save lives
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath calls on the Health Minister to explore a co-funded 24/7 cross-border thrombectomy service in Belfast and set a realistic timeline, after a 2024 deadline was missed.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly debate on 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service in the North Original release: McGrath: 24/7 cross-border Thrombectomy Service would save lives (opens in a new tab)
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The Window of Opportunity for Minimum Unit Pricing Legislation Is Closing
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says minimum unit pricing for alcohol is in jeopardy because DUP Executive ministers are blocking the proposal from reaching an Assembly debate. He cites the Health Minister's warning that he may have to explain to the Assembly why legislation before 6…
Health Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt's minimum unit pricing legislation Executive blockage Original release: The Window of Opportunity for Minimum Unit Pricing Legislation Is Closing (opens in a new tab)