Latest releases
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5,195 releases
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Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell urges the public to respond to the DfI consultation on changes to concessionary fares for over-60s, and calls on the Department to protect the scheme, citing Translink figures showing over nine million senior journeys in 2022.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DFI consultation on raising free bus pass eligibility age Original release: Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Cuts to specialist GP services will pile more pressure on health service – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says cuts to the GP Elective Care Service will add pressure to the health service and lengthen waiting lists for dermatology, gynaecology and minor surgery. She has written to the Department of Health about the impact on patients and urges the Executive to be restored.
Health Issue: GP Elective Care Service funding cut Original release: Cuts to specialist GP services will pile more pressure on health service – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride
Alliance's Kate Nicholl MLA, who speaks on diversity and migration, wishes attendees a safe Pride ahead of Belfast Pride's parade and says hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are rising, urging these attitudes be challenged early.
Disability and equality Original release: We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Northern Ireland has again failed on its environmental commitments after DAERA missed the deadline for its first Environment Improvement Plan. He blames the lack of a functioning Executive and calls for Assembly scrutiny and a Minister to lead.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA misses deadline for first Environment Improvement Plan Original release: Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to address biggest crisis in NI in last 25 years, says Farry
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP says Northern Ireland faces its most serious situation since the Good Friday Agreement, after a cross-party meeting with the Head of the Civil Service. He calls for a financial package and an Executive to be formed, blaming the DUP for the governance vacuum.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Cross-party meeting with Head of the Civil Service on NI budget crisis Original release: Executive needed to address biggest crisis in NI in last 25 years, says Farry (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes funding for higher education students
SDLP Higher Education Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin, who is also Foyle MLA, welcomes Irish Government funding enabling northern students to study in Europe after Brexit threatened Erasmus+ access. She criticises the Department for the Economy's previous Minister for a hands-off approach.
Education International affairs Issue: Irish Government €2 million per year funding for students studying across Europe Original release: McLaughlin welcomes funding for higher education students (opens in a new tab)
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Economy needs increase in skills funding not further cuts – Murphy
Sinn Féin Economy spokesperson Conor Murphy welcomes the Department for Economy's decision to deliver all-age apprenticeships this financial year despite budget cuts from the British Treasury. He says the scheme closes a funding gap for over-25s and calls for more long-term investment in skills.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Department for Economy all-age apprenticeships funding decision Original release: Economy needs increase in skills funding not further cuts – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for an end to the differing approach to Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment across health trusts, after meeting Northern Trust management. He says the stalled pilot for validating private diagnoses must be expedited and that a resolution is needed.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Trust Adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment provision meeting Original release: Appropriate adult mental health services must be a priority for a restored Executive – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Heavy on infrastructure ideas but light on delivery
DUP infrastructure spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett says the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and Union Connectivity Review offer useful vision but lack practical follow-through. He cites the York Street Interchange, funded in 2017 yet still not started, and says the party will…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Heavy on infrastructure ideas but light on delivery (opens in a new tab)
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No reason why folic acid legislation cannot include NI
DUP peer Lord Dodds questions why Northern Ireland is excluded from folic acid fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour and calls on the UK Government to legislate to include it, to reduce neural tube defects in babies.
Health Original release: No reason why folic acid legislation cannot include NI (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood welcomes confirmation on All Age Apprenticeships
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood welcomes confirmation that All Age Apprenticeships will go ahead this financial year, with the Department for the Economy fully funding off-the-job training, but warns the budget outlook is untenable. She calls for the Assembly and Executive to be restored to oversee…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Department for Economy all-age apprenticeships funding decision Original release: Eastwood welcomes confirmation on All Age Apprenticeships (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Stark RVH report cannot be ignored
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says a stark RQIA inspection report into the Royal Victoria Hospital emergency department should be a catalyst for change. He calls for transformation of health services and restored Stormont institutions to implement it before winter pressures worsen.
Health Issue: RQIA inspection report on Royal Victoria Hospital emergency department Original release: McGrath: Stark RVH report cannot be ignored (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must act and invest as called for in All Island Strategic Rail Review – MacManus
Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus calls on the Transport Minister to invest in rail after the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, welcoming the proposed Western Rail Corridor restoration and hourly services between major cities. He criticises the lack of investment north of Claremorris and says Donegal…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Minister must act and invest as called for in All Island Strategic Rail Review – MacManus (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to publish all-Ireland rail review – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan urges that an Executive be formed without delay so the draft all-Ireland rail review can be fully published and its recommendations weighed. He welcomes the draft's release as a step forward and calls for more investment in northern rail, particularly in the north-west.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Executive needed to publish all-Ireland rail review – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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All Island Rail Review shows government must now step up to grow Ireland’s rail networks – Martin Kenny TD
Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Martin Kenny TD welcomes the draft All Island Rail Review and urges the government to produce a timed action plan to invest in rail, citing planned frequency, decarbonisation and freight capacity gains. He also calls for progress on the Western Rail Corridor and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: All Island Rail Review shows government must now step up to grow Ireland’s rail networks – Martin Kenny TD (opens in a new tab)
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Egan concerned lack of Executive is impeding implementation of Fair Start Report
Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says the lack of a functioning Executive and current budget situation will harm delivery of the Fair Start Report, after the fourth progress report found only £2.5 million allocated against £21m recommended for 2023/24.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Fair Start Report fourth progress report publication Original release: Egan concerned lack of Executive is impeding implementation of Fair Start Report (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Once in a generation opportunity to restore rail infrastructure
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP says the All Island Strategic Rail Review offers a rare chance to rebuild rail across the North before its draft is published. He highlights a £30bn plan and a recommended Letterkenny–Derry–Portadown route.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: All Island Rail Review draft publication Original release: Eastwood: Once in a generation opportunity to restore rail infrastructure (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Tackling educational underachievement requires funding
SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan says tackling educational underachievement is impossible without significant funding, after a progress report on the 'A Fair Start' action plan showed £2.5m allocated against £21m recommended by its expert panel.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Fair Start Report fourth progress report publication Original release: McCrossan: Tackling educational underachievement requires funding (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government working with local universities train more health professionals positive news- Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the Irish Government’s decision to fund student places for health‑care training in the north, including 50 new slots for physiotherapy, occupational and speech‑language therapy, plus additional places for nursing and midwifery, calling it a vital boost for the a‑s
Health Education Issue: Irish Government funds health professional training places in the north Original release: Irish Government working with local universities train more health professionals positive news- Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Press Release: Pulis – 45% Pay Hike For King Charles Grotesque Amid Hardship Crisis
People Before Profit Waterside representative Davina Pulis condemns the government's plan to raise the sovereign grant to King Charles by 45% from 2025, calling it grotesque while families struggle. She calls for the King to pay the inheritance tax he avoided instead.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: British government 45% sovereign grant increase for King Charles Original release: Press Release: Pulis – 45% Pay Hike For King Charles Grotesque Amid Hardship Crisis (opens in a new tab)