Latest releases
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2,485 releases
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Nicholl says investment in renewable energy would lead to cheaper bills for households
Alliance Economy spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA questions why the DUP, UUP and TUV want to roll back renewable energy targets, arguing investment would cut household bills. She calls on the Economy Minister to urgently deliver a plan to end reliance on fossil fuels ahead of an Alliance Assembly…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Alliance Assembly motion on renewable energy investment and fossil fuel reliance Original release: Nicholl says investment in renewable energy would lead to cheaper bills for households (opens in a new tab)
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Toothless Voluntary Contributions Scheme Lets Developers Off the Hook
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll criticises the Finance Minister's voluntary developer contributions scheme as toothless, arguing it lets developers off the hook while about 50,000 families wait for social housing blocked by infrastructure shortfalls. He calls for profitable property…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Finance Minister's voluntary developer contributions scheme for infrastructure Original release: Toothless Voluntary Contributions Scheme Lets Developers Off the Hook (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit Condemn Attack on Activist at St Patricks Day Event
People Before Profit condemns the verbal harassment and physical assault of activist Marc Mac Seáin in Newry, which happened while he was marching at the St Patrick's Day event alongside a local hospital campaign. The party calls the attack severe, says it was witnessed by children and others, and…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Attack on People Before Profit activist Marc Mac Seáin in Newry Original release: People Before Profit Condemn Attack on Activist at St Patricks Day Event (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must address ambulance waiting times – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to address pressures on the Ambulance Service after the Health Committee heard both Category 1 and Category 2 calls are missing target times. He urges improved patient flow through hospitals, timely handovers and support for frontline staff.
Health Issue: Health Committee briefing on Ambulance Service response times Original release: Health Minister must address ambulance waiting times – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Introduction of developer contributions will help unlock more new properties – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement of voluntary developer contributions, with the funds used to upgrade wastewater infrastructure where capacity shortages are blocking new builds. He says it will complement recent housing unlocks.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Infrastructure Minister announcement on developer contributions for wastewater upgrades Original release: Introduction of developer contributions will help unlock more new properties – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Minister’s tinkering won’t solve wastewater crisis
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA says Infrastructure Minister Kimmins's decision to make developer contributions to wastewater infrastructure voluntary is a piecemeal step that will not solve the wastewater crisis. He calls for mandatory contributions, which he says would help…
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Infrastructure Minister announcement on developer contributions for wastewater upgrades Original release: McNulty: Minister’s tinkering won’t solve wastewater crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Infrastructure Minister's policy is water charging through back door, says McMurray
Alliance infrastructure spokesperson Andrew McMurray MLA criticises the Infrastructure Minister's plan to collect developer contributions for wastewater systems, calling it "water charging through the back door" that would raise house prices and deter new builds.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Infrastructure Minister announcement on developer contributions for wastewater upgrades Original release: Infrastructure Minister's policy is water charging through back door, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to outline measures to manage the potential spread of meningitis
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, Chair of the Assembly's Health Committee, says he has written to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt asking what preparations and preventative measures will be put in place to manage possible spread of meningitis. The call follows a suspected case in a Belfast student and…
Health Issue: Suspected meningitis case in Belfast student and Britain outbreak Original release: McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to outline measures to manage the potential spread of meningitis (opens in a new tab)
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First and deputy First Minister can no longer ignore Covid Inquiry’s demand for institutional reform – Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, Executive Office spokesperson, says the First and deputy First Minister can no longer sidestep the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's findings on Executive dysfunction. She argues only institutional overhaul will prevent political deadlock from hampering future emergency health…
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: UK Covid-19 Inquiry recommendations on Executive dysfunction and institutional reform Original release: First and deputy First Minister can no longer ignore Covid Inquiry’s demand for institutional reform – Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard raises serious concerns over Downe Hospital service reductions
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has raised concerns with the South Eastern Health Trust over reduced services at Downe Hospital on St Patrick's Day, calling for adequate staffing and a holiday contingency strategy.
Health Issue: Downe Hospital service reductions on St Patrick's Day 2026 Original release: Hazzard raises serious concerns over Downe Hospital service reductions (opens in a new tab)
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Women deserve timely, high-quality care at every stage of their lives – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says women in the north are let down by a health system that dismisses their pain, citing long waits for breast and gynaecology services and endometriosis care. She welcomes an Assembly vote backing a Women's Health Strategy and says her party supports a fully resourced…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on a Women's Health Strategy passed Original release: Women deserve timely, high-quality care at every stage of their lives – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Mulholland welcomes purchase of NI buses by Greater Manchester Mayor
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland welcomes Greater Manchester's order of 55 more electric buses from Ballymena manufacturer Wrightbus, part of a £66 million investment, and calls it a vote of confidence in North Antrim's manufacturing workforce.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Greater Manchester order of 55 electric buses from Wrightbus Original release: Mulholland welcomes purchase of NI buses by Greater Manchester Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to commission a feasibility study into a bridge linking Portaferry and Strangford across Strangford Lough, arguing it would boost economic and social development. He also cites possible tidal energy and cycling lanes.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study (opens in a new tab)
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McIlveen: DUP Brings Common Sense to Debate on New Environment Quango
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA says the DUP alone applied common sense in an Assembly debate on a proposed independent Environmental Protection Agency, arguing it would add another unelected arm's length body and shift responsibility from DAERA's Minister. Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP…
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly debate on proposed independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: McIlveen: DUP Brings Common Sense to Debate on New Environment Quango (opens in a new tab)
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Gordon Lyons ‘heel dragging’ on purchasing temporary accommodation – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew accuses Communities Minister Gordon Lyons of dragging his heels on buying temporary accommodation, saying none of the 600 homes funded under the scheme have been purchased. He calls on the minister to speed up purchases so homes reach those who need them.
Housing Issue: Communities Department purchase of 600 temporary accommodation homes not progressed Original release: Gordon Lyons ‘heel dragging’ on purchasing temporary accommodation – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK
TUV MP Jim Allister calls on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to make abiraterone available to Northern Ireland men with prostate cancer that has not spread, as it is already offered in England, Scotland and Wales. The Minister says NI lacks a NICE equivalent and cites budget pressures.
Health Issue: Abiraterone prostate cancer drug availability in Northern Ireland Original release: Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK (opens in a new tab)
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McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen warns that extending the carbon market to shipping could raise freight costs by about £15 per trailer, pushing prices up for businesses and households. She criticises Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance for backing the measure and calls for the policy to be…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Assembly debate on extending UK carbon pricing to maritime transport Original release: McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for… (opens in a new tab)
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Time for NI to move away from fossil fuel dependency, says Bamford
Alliance councillor Jessica Bamford urges the Economy Minister to draft a plan for moving Northern Ireland away from fossil fuel reliance, via a council motion, citing rising home heating oil costs linked to Middle East instability.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Lisburn and Castlereagh council motion on fossil fuel dependency energy plan Original release: Time for NI to move away from fossil fuel dependency, says Bamford (opens in a new tab)
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SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls on Secretary of State Hilary Benn to step in and help establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency, which he says all main parties committed to in New Decade, New Approach. He accuses the DUP of blocking it at the Executive ahead…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Environmental Protection Agency establishment blocked at Executive Original release: SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services
TUV councillor Anna Henry, Mid and East Antrim, warns women face years of chronic pain awaiting first gynaecology specialist appointments, citing June 2025 figures showing over 14,000 waiting in the South Eastern Trust and wait times near two years, and calls for urgent investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health June 2025 gynaecology outpatient waiting list figures Original release: Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services (opens in a new tab)