Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says an eight-week minimum wait for diagnostic clinic investigation of a red flag breast cancer referral is extremely concerning and far exceeds the 14-day target. She has written to the Health Minister and calls on him to act now to reduce waits.
Health Issue: Red flag breast cancer referral waiting times at diagnostic clinics Original release: Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey condemns sectarian and racist signage at Highfield bonfire
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey condemns offensive sectarian and racist material displayed on and near a bonfire in Highfield on the Shankill. He calls on political unionism to speak out and demand its removal, and says he has reported it as a hate crime to the PSNI.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Highfield bonfire sectarian and racist signage in Shankill Original release: Maskey condemns sectarian and racist signage at Highfield bonfire (opens in a new tab)
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‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says serious public safety concerns remain over a bonfire site in south Belfast's Village area after more asbestos was reportedly found there. He calls for a factual assessment of the asbestos and questions why the PSNI decided not to intervene.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: ‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Twelfth isn’t for BBC and others to define, but ours to celebrate
TUV press officer Samuel Morrison argues the BBC's coverage of the Twelfth is negative and selective, citing Sandy Row road closures, Kilkeel's Eleventh Night and a republican rap group. He calls for the Twelfth to be celebrated on its own terms.
Community relations and legacy Original release: Twelfth isn’t for BBC and others to define, but ours to celebrate (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew condemns burning of Moygashel racist bonfire
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns the burning of a bonfire in Moygashel that included a racist effigy of refugees in a small boat and other racist displays. He welcomes police treating it as a hate incident and calls for those responsible to be held accountable.
Community relations and legacy Immigration Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: Gildernew condemns burning of Moygashel racist bonfire (opens in a new tab)
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Bonfire decision
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell welcomes the PSNI's decision not to move in against the South Belfast bonfire, but blames Belfast City Council's governance for the process, saying the SP&R committee vote was not based on advice from statutory bodies. He also praises the bonfire builders…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: PSNI decision not to intervene against South Belfast bonfire Original release: Bonfire decision (opens in a new tab)
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Loyalist paramilitaries causing fear and division - Gerry Carroll MLA
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the Donegal Road bonfire in south Belfast's Village area shows the threat of loyalist violence and intimidation persists around the Twelfth. He claims loyalist paramilitaries still hold a tight grip on local communities, cites asbestos and safety…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Loyalist paramilitaries causing fear and division - Gerry Carroll MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls for political and community leaders, including unionists, to act to stop a planned hazardous bonfire in the Village in West Belfast, and urges the PSNI to take immediate action. He warns it threatens hospital power supplies and could release asbestos.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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McDonough-Brown calls for responsible political leadership regarding South Belfast bonfire site
Alliance Botanic Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown urges everyone to step back and focus on safety after police judged that a bonfire near Donegall Road can proceed more safely than removing it with contractors. He calls for responsible political leadership and strong mitigations to protect public…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: PSNI decision not to intervene against South Belfast bonfire Original release: McDonough-Brown calls for responsible political leadership regarding South Belfast bonfire site (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's Reset Plan lacks detail and needs direct action on waiting lists, staff pay and community services. He criticises proposed charges and budget cuts made without public consultation.
Health Issue: Health Minister's Reset Plan publication Original release: McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans
SDLP councillor Adam Gannon, Group Leader on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, calls for extra public meetings in the region during the consultation on removing emergency surgery from Enniskillen's hospital, noting the Enniskillen event filled within two days. He also asks Health Minister Mike…
Health Issue: Western Trust consultation on removing Emergency General Surgery at SWAH Original release: Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan describes a bonfire in south Belfast's Village area as extremely concerning, citing nearby asbestos and risks to power supply at City and Royal Victoria Hospitals. He calls for urgent action and says Sinn Féin would support removing bonfire materials if safeguards cannot…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED
Aontú, speaking at a public protest against Government-backed plans to redevelop the GPO for mixed use, says the building must not be destroyed. Speakers including TD Brian Stanley and Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín call for a united effort to stop the proposals.
Infrastructure and transport Constitutional affairs Issue: Government backing for GPO redevelopment plans Original release: NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED (opens in a new tab)
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‘Vile’ racist effigies and posters must be removed – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns an effigy of refugees in a boat placed atop a bonfire in Moygashel, alongside 'Stop the Boats' posters, and calls for it to be removed immediately and for local political leaders to call for removal.
Immigration Disability and equality Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: ‘Vile’ racist effigies and posters must be removed – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Greens deliver sale of the Assembly rooms
Green Party Councillor Aine Groogan welcomes Belfast City Council's agreement to seek completion of the sale of the Assembly rooms, which she says would bring the building back into public ownership. She credits Green campaigning on the Cathedral Quarter regeneration and Castlebrook for helping…
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council offer to acquire Assembly Rooms building Original release: Greens deliver sale of the Assembly rooms (opens in a new tab)
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Roofe calls for the immediate removal of racist display on County Tyrone bonfire, describing it as despicable
Alliance Councillor Eddie Roofe calls for the immediate removal of a model refugee boat placed on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, which he says is racist and must not be excused as cultural celebration.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: Roofe calls for the immediate removal of racist display on County Tyrone bonfire, describing it as despicable (opens in a new tab)
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McDonough-Brown welcomes agreement on BCC acquisition of Assembly Rooms building
Alliance Botanic Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown welcomes agreement at Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on an offer to acquire the listed Assembly Rooms building. He says restoring the 1769 city-centre building would help preserve heritage and support regeneration…
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council offer to acquire Assembly Rooms building Original release: McDonough-Brown welcomes agreement on BCC acquisition of Assembly Rooms building (opens in a new tab)
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We cannot risk bonfire damaging substation powering nearby hospitals, says Maghie, following new NIE information
Alliance Belfast councillor Jenna Maghie says new Northern Ireland Electricity information shows a bonfire near a South Belfast substation, close to hospitals, must not be allowed to cause damage. She welcomes the passing of an Alliance motion asking the council to explore hiring firms to remove…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: South Belfast substation bonfire risk near hospitals Original release: We cannot risk bonfire damaging substation powering nearby hospitals, says Maghie, following new NIE information (opens in a new tab)
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Needless road deaths a tragedy, say Armstrong and Egan, following deadly collisions in Ards and North Down
Alliance MLAs Kellie Armstrong and Connie Egan describe the overnight deaths of two young pedestrians, aged 12 and 16, in Portaferry and Bangor as senseless tragedies. Armstrong says she will keep engaging with police and urges witnesses to come forward.
Infrastructure and transport Justice and policing Issue: Overnight fatal pedestrian collisions in Portaferry and Bangor Original release: Needless road deaths a tragedy, say Armstrong and Egan, following deadly collisions in Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Leadership failure on bonfires letting communities down
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a lack of leadership on bonfire issues is failing communities, citing a South Belfast bonfire beside asbestos and a substation and an effigy of refugees in Moygashel. She calls for immediate action from authorities and elected leaders.
Community relations and legacy Issue: South Belfast substation bonfire risk near hospitals Original release: Hanna: Leadership failure on bonfires letting communities down (opens in a new tab)