Latest releases
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4,782 releases
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McGrath welcomes ruling on continuing healthcare
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath welcomes a High Court decision to quash the Department of Health's policy requiring people to fund their own care in nursing homes and similar settings. He calls on the department to bring in a fairer approach that secures suitable care for people, and says…
Health Issue: High Court quashes continuing healthcare policy for self-funded care Original release: McGrath welcomes ruling on continuing healthcare (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Back Dfi Roads Service Workers Strikers
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin backs Department for Infrastructure Roads Service workers on strike again over pay, saying they have his full solidarity. He accuses DfI officials of citing Stormont's collapse to claim they lack the means to act, and calls for the draconian bonus system to…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: DfI Roads Service workers strike over pay July 2023 Original release: Harkin: Back Dfi Roads Service Workers Strikers (opens in a new tab)
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SWELL boost for Carlingford Lough water quality – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard welcomes completion of the €35million cross-border SWELL scheme at Warrenpoint Wastewater Treatment Plant, calling it the perfect platform to restore Carlingford Lough's ecosystem. He says a new Omeath treatment plant will soon end untreated wastewater discharge.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: SWELL cross-border water quality scheme completion at Carlingford Lough Original release: SWELL boost for Carlingford Lough water quality – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Infrastructure budget paints grim picture, says Muir
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir says the finalised Department for Infrastructure budget paints a grim picture, citing cuts to road safety, cycling proficiency, Translink and NI Water, and calls on the Secretary of State to act to restore Stormont with a financial package.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for Infrastructure finalised budget allocation 2023 Original release: Infrastructure budget paints grim picture, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: DfI failure to resolve pay dispute impacting road safety
SDLP Fairer Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan expresses solidarity with striking road service workers at the Department for Infrastructure and says the department's budget cuts and pay dispute are compromising road safety. He calls for the pay dispute to be resolved as a matter of urgency.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: DfI Roads Service workers strike over pay July 2023 Original release: Durkan: DfI failure to resolve pay dispute impacting road safety (opens in a new tab)
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A5 upgrade must proceed to prevent further lives from being lost – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty TD calls on the government to honour its pledge to fund half the A5 road upgrade, ahead of a Dáil motion, citing more than 50 deaths on the route since 2006.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Dáil motion on funding the A5 road upgrade Original release: A5 upgrade must proceed to prevent further lives from being lost – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)
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Brett welcomes funding extension for ‘dial-a-lift’ service
DUP Infrastructure Spokesman Phillip Brett welcomes confirmation that community transport 'dial-a-lift' providers will receive a core funding extension for the full current financial year. He says the service provides around 200,000 journeys annually for rural and isolated communities.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Dial-a-lift community transport funding extension confirmed for current financial year Original release: Brett welcomes funding extension for ‘dial-a-lift’ service (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly slams British Parliament for wrongly prioritising Abortion Lessons above addressing the current Education Crisis
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly criticises Westminster for imposing abortion education on Northern Ireland schools without consultation, arguing that the North is treated as second class compared with England. She says the issue distracts from funding and wider crisis in the education system.
Education Issue: Westminster vote on NIO proposals for RSE in schools Original release: Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly slams British Parliament for wrongly prioritising Abortion Lessons above addressing the current Education Crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Finn urges progress on conversion therapy ban
SDLP councillor Doire Finn urges progress on banning conversion therapy in Northern Ireland, proposing a Newry, Mourne and Down council motion reaffirming opposition and asking Stormont departments to outline preparations for a ban once the Executive returns.
Disability and equality Local government Original release: Finn urges progress on conversion therapy ban (opens in a new tab)
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Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says cancer patients on waiting lists cannot wait, responding to Department of Health figures on cancer treatment waiting times. She calls for urgent action and the restoration of the Executive, and criticises the delay in the cancer strategy.
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer treatment waiting times figures June 2023 Original release: Patients on lists for life-saving cancer treatment cannot wait – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the Westminster vote on NIO proposals to bring abortion-promoting relationships and sex education into schools is a backward step for Northern Ireland. She argues the region's abortion laws should not be taught to children and calls for more life-affirming laws.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Westminster vote on NIO proposals for RSE in schools Original release: Backwards move to bring abortion into classrooms – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure
Alliance Balmoral Councillor Micky Murray says he is disappointed and frustrated that planned Belfast cycling infrastructure, including Lisburn Road and Malone Road routes, may be displaced by the Department for Infrastructure's new Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan. He questions the…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Belfast Cycle Network Plan displacement by Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan Original release: Murray disappointed and frustrated by risk posed to potential cycling infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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Mairéad Farrell TD says more scrutiny needed of new Construction Licencing Authority Bill
Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell says she has serious concerns about the Construction Licencing Authority Bill, citing over 180 government amendments and the waiving of pre-legislative scrutiny, and calls for thorough examination by both ministers.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Construction Licencing Authority Bill pre-legislative scrutiny waiver and amendments Original release: Mairéad Farrell TD says more scrutiny needed of new Construction Licencing Authority Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes resolution in QUB marking and assessment boycott
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, welcomes the deal reached between universities and unions that will see student papers marked and degrees classified before the end of summer, saying the certainty will aid those whose prospects were at risk.
Education Issue: QUB marking and assessment boycott resolution Original release: Dodds welcomes resolution in QUB marking and assessment boycott (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos
DUP Education spokesperson Diane Dodds, Upper Bann MLA, says a meeting with the Education Authority exposed the yearly chaos in Special Educational Needs placements, blaming education cuts and under‑funding and urging Treasury funding, transformational reform and immediate placement of vulnerable p‑
Education Disability and equality Issue: Annual chaos in Special Educational Needs allocations Original release: Dodds meets EA about annual SEN chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says a latest Climate Change Committee report shows the UK has lost climate leadership and Northern Ireland is behind on climate targets, calling for a Green New Deal and blaming the absence of an Executive for stalled action.
Environment and climate Issue: UK Climate Change Committee progress report on net zero emissions Original release: Latest climate change report demonstrates disgraceful lack of meaningful action, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Skills system needs to urgently align with the scale of climate challenge, says Eastwood
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood calls for the UK Government to publish an evidence-based net zero skills action plan, following a Climate Change Committee progress report that she says shows no progress in the past year.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: UK Climate Change Committee progress report on net zero emissions Original release: Skills system needs to urgently align with the scale of climate challenge, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin slams budget for higher education
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin objects to the Department for the Economy's proposed £14m cut to higher education in its draft 2023/24 budget. She says she will respond to the budget consultation and calls for a sustainable funding model to lift the Maximum Student Numbers cap.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for the Economy draft 2023/24 budget higher education cut Original release: McLaughlin slams budget for higher education (opens in a new tab)
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DUP’s blockade Executive will result in children going hungry this summer – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says the DUP's boycott of the Executive and Assembly will leave thousands of children without hot meals over the summer holidays, as holiday hunger payments are withheld. He calls for an Executive to be formed now to protect these payments.
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Withholding of summer holiday hunger payments due to no Executive Original release: DUP’s blockade Executive will result in children going hungry this summer – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges the Secretary of State to act now on underinvestment in Special Educational Needs provision, saying shortfalls in SEN places in special and mainstream schools are failing children and families, with no Executive or Assembly in place.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Robbie Butler Urges Secretary of State to Act Now to Address Underinvestment in Special Education Needs (opens in a new tab)