Latest releases
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4,968 releases
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Time for Clarity on City Deal project - Forsythe
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says £30 million agreed for a Mournes tourism project under the Belfast Region City Deal has disappeared from Department of Finance City Deal plans and progress reports. She calls for urgent clarity, blaming Newry, Mourne and Down Council for the collapse of the…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Mournes gondola project removal from City Deal plans Original release: Time for Clarity on City Deal project - Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Scrap Irish Sea border and save a Billion
TUV leader Jim Allister says roughly £1 billion is being wasted on the Irish Sea border, citing £192m for border posts, £531m for the Trader Support Service, £122m in DAERA border costs and 221 funded staff, and calls for it to be scrapped to fund Stormont's request for more money.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont Executive meeting with HMG seeking additional funding Original release: Scrap Irish Sea border and save a Billion (opens in a new tab)
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Audit report confirms Health estate is not fit for purpose – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Comptroller and Auditor General's report shows years of underinvestment and poor strategic planning in the Health estate, citing Holywell in Antrim. He says vacant buildings worth nearly £40 million have sat unused and calls on the Minister to bring forward a…
Health Issue: Comptroller and Auditor General report on Health estate Original release: Audit report confirms Health estate is not fit for purpose – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Crumbling health estate threat to patients and staff
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the crumbling health estate threatens patients and staff after an Audit Office report found just 40% of buildings in acceptable condition. He calls for a long-term strategy and blames successive Health Ministers and the Executive for…
Health Issue: Comptroller and Auditor General report on Health estate Original release: McGrath: Crumbling health estate threat to patients and staff (opens in a new tab)
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DoH must get to grips with ‘shocking’ breast cancer waiting times, says McAllister
Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls on the Department of Health to redouble efforts on breast cancer waiting times after new statistics showed only 8% of urgent suspected-cancer referrals were seen within the 14-day target. She urges the Minister to increase system capacity and…
Health Issue: Breast cancer urgent referral waiting times statistics 2026 Original release: DoH must get to grips with ‘shocking’ breast cancer waiting times, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray welcomes new Strategic Group to protect Mourne Mountains by DAERA Minister
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's establishment of a Strategic Group for the Mournes, chaired by the Minister with cross-departmental representatives and a Forever Mournes Partnership observer. He says a coordinated approach is needed to address parking…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA Strategic Group established for the Mournes Original release: McMurray welcomes new Strategic Group to protect Mourne Mountains by DAERA Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Ireland’s Presidency of the EU comes at defining time for Europe and for Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD sets out three priorities for Ireland's EU Council Presidency: preparing for Irish unity, standing up for workers and farmers, and defending military neutrality and peace. She urges the Government to open talks with European partners on constitutional change.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's EU Council Presidency commencement ceremony in Dublin Castle Original release: Ireland’s Presidency of the EU comes at defining time for Europe and for Ireland – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Northern Ireland must not be forgotten during EU Council Presidency
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP urges that Northern Ireland's place in Europe be considered during Ireland's EU Council Presidency, which began on Wednesday. She calls for outstanding Brexit issues to be addressed, European funding secured, and UK-Irish cooperation improved.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Ireland's EU Council Presidency commencement ceremony in Dublin Castle Original release: Hanna: Northern Ireland must not be forgotten during EU Council Presidency (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Families and children let down by Executive inaction
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA accuses the Executive of failing to establish a Regional Children and Families Authority, recommended by the 2023 children's social care review. He criticises the Health and Justice Ministers for shelving it and for announcing the decision…
Health Issue: Regional Children and Families Authority decision announced by Health and Justice Ministers Original release: McGrath: Families and children let down by Executive inaction (opens in a new tab)
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Donaldson Deal Continues to Damage Northern Ireland as New EU Rules Take Effect
TUV councillor and Newry and Armagh candidate Keith Ratcliffe says the DUP/Donaldson Deal is damaging Northern Ireland, citing new EU rules from 1 July: a €3 customs duty on low-value parcels, new steel movement arrangements and ferry emissions charges. He argues the Irish Sea Border remains in…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: New EU customs duty and ferry emissions charges from 1 July 2026 Original release: Donaldson Deal Continues to Damage Northern Ireland as New EU Rules Take Effect (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit Endorse Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham
People Before Profit endorses Sharon Graham in the Unite general secretary election, citing her record on disputes and workplace organising, while criticising her stance on war, climate and Gaza. It urges members to back her over Simon Dubbins, whom it says would revive Unite's ties with Labour.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Unite general secretary election ballot Original release: People Before Profit Endorse Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive managing collapse of health service
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Executive is simply managing decline in health services, pointing to resident doctors' industrial action, high waiting lists and difficulty recruiting and keeping staff, and calls on the Executive and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to…
Health Issue: Resident doctors' industrial action and Health questions in the Assembly Original release: McGrath: Executive managing collapse of health service (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA cautiously welcomes the revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation, but says delivery now rests with Minister Muir. He calls for the economic impact assessment to be published in full and says Northern Ireland Water, wastewater and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Revised Nutrients Action Programme published for consultation Original release: Farmers were right on NAP, the hard work of delivery now falls to Muir (opens in a new tab)
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‘The Light of a New Republic’ – Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald calls for a united 32‑County Republic and an end to British rule, urging investment in housing, health, equality and community support, in her address at the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown Original release: ‘The Light of a New Republic’ – Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Wolfe Tone Commemoration at Bodenstown (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Donaldson verdict must be a watershed moment
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says revelations after Jeffrey Donaldson's conviction should mark a watershed moment, questioning senior DUP figures' past vetoes on rights and education and their handling of Donaldson's private life. She calls for accountability and reforms including healthy…
Justice and policing Constitutional affairs Issue: BBC Spotlight programme on Jeffrey Donaldson allegations Original release: Hanna: Donaldson verdict must be a watershed moment (opens in a new tab)
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Building the A5 ‘an absolute priority’ for Sinn Féin – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley, speaking from the Court of Appeal, says building the A5 remains a key priority and that delay is costing lives. She points to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins pursuing an appeal against the most recent High Court ruling, supported by Tyrone GAA's campaign.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A5 road appeal against the latest High Court ruling Original release: Building the A5 ‘an absolute priority’ for Sinn Féin – Begley (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston Slams Growing Gender Identity Service as Officials Confirm Funding Will Increase
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston criticises the funding for the lifespan gender identity service after Department of Health officials told the health committee the initial £806,000 is recurrent and will increase. He expresses concern for vulnerable young people and calls the spending astonishing given…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health lifespan gender identity service funding briefing to health committee Original release: Gaston Slams Growing Gender Identity Service as Officials Confirm Funding Will Increase (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Councillor Shares Breast Cancer Diagnosis to Raise Awareness and Urge Early Detection
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall shares her breast cancer diagnosis to raise awareness of symptoms and urge women to seek prompt GP advice. She also says she waited six weeks for imaging and over 80 days for a treatment plan, and calls for more open conversations about breast health.
Health Issue: Councillor Lauren Kendall's breast cancer diagnosis Original release: Green Party Councillor Shares Breast Cancer Diagnosis to Raise Awareness and Urge Early Detection (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP speech Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP, speaking at a future of these islands event, argues political leaders must shape change rather than react to it and says the SDLP wants a New and agreed Ireland. She calls for cross-party working and principles to plan for a New Ireland, and invites unionist…
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: SDLP "Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change" event at The MAC Original release: SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP speech Future of these Islands: Preparing for Change (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath offers solidarity to striking doctors
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the party stands with striking specialist doctors and consultants, blaming the Executive’s failure to deliver promised pay parity and urging the Health Minister to engage unions and end the dispute to protect patients and waiting lists.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Specialist doctors strike over pay parity Original release: McGrath offers solidarity to striking doctors (opens in a new tab)