Latest releases
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11,735 releases
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Alliance Belfast Councillors bring blood donation motion to Council, highlighting importance of donating
Alliance Councillor Tara Brooks is giving blood at Belfast City Hall to encourage donations, and has tabled a council motion on blood donation inspired by her father's treatment for a rare blood cancer. She thanks the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service.
Health Local government Original release: Alliance Belfast Councillors bring blood donation motion to Council, highlighting importance of donating (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Maternity hospital delay totally unacceptable
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says a 28-month delay to opening the new Belfast maternity hospital is unacceptable and welcomes the Health Minister's plan to appoint an independent expert to scrutinise the Belfast Trust's options.
Health Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: McGrath: Maternity hospital delay totally unacceptable (opens in a new tab)
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Executive’s lack of ambition won’t tackle poverty
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan criticises the Communities Minister's handling of the Anti-Poverty Strategy, saying the final document lacks co-design with academics, charities and people with lived experience. He says the strategy falls far short and that the whole Executive must take responsibility if it…
Social security and welfare Issue: Anti-Poverty Strategy final document published without co-design Original release: Executive’s lack of ambition won’t tackle poverty (opens in a new tab)
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Finn: Executive must deliver support for Arts sector
SDLP Arts Spokesperson Councillor Doire Finn welcomes Assembly support for an Opposition Day motion on the arts, which asks the Executive to publish a funding plan spanning several years by October 2025. She says the Executive has neglected the sector and urges it to deliver.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly Opposition Day motion on arts funding and delivery plan Original release: Finn: Executive must deliver support for Arts sector (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Speaker’s rebuke underlines importance of constructive Opposition
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA endorses the Speaker's rebuke of MLAs over the standard of Assembly debate, accusing Executive parties of treating the Chamber as an inconvenience. He points to Sinn Féin and other parties failing to vote or attend at an Opposition Day.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Speaker Edwin Poots rebuke to MLAs over Assembly debate standards Original release: O’Toole: Speaker’s rebuke underlines importance of constructive Opposition (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Derry disorder threatens young people’s future
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood condemns a second night of disorder around Nailor's Row in Derry, saying it endangered residents and distressed elderly people in Alexander House. He urges parents to talk with children about the violence and calls for investment in community outreach projects.
Justice and policing Issue: Nailor's Row Derry disorder second night June 2025 Original release: Eastwood: Derry disorder threatens young people’s future (opens in a new tab)
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Further delay to maternity hospital ‘deeply disappointing’ – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says he is alarmed that the Health Minister has confirmed a further 28-month delay to the new Belfast maternity hospital, a project already years behind and costing almost £100 million. He urges the minister to act urgently to resolve the problems.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: Further delay to maternity hospital ‘deeply disappointing’ – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds calls for answers over fire safety issues at RVH
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says the Health Minister has confirmed fire safety concerns at the Royal Victoria Hospital, including beds blocking emergency exits, and questions why Belfast Trust leaders denied other concerns at committee. She asks when the Department was aware, what…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital fire safety concerns raised by NIFRS Original release: Dodds calls for answers over fire safety issues at RVH (opens in a new tab)
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Finance Minster’s tone-deaf comments deny reality of policing…
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne urges Finance Minister John O'Dowd to respect PSNI funding needs after the Spending Review, calling his answer on the recovery plan dismissive and asking him to work with the Justice Minister.
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Issue: PSNI recovery plan funding after UK Spending Review Original release: Finance Minster’s tone-deaf comments deny reality of policing… (opens in a new tab)
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Police Ombudsman statement doesn’t end saga: Clarke
DUP Policing Board member and South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke says the Police Ombudsman's announcement of a temporary leave of absence came late, after an investigation ongoing since 2023. He claims public confidence in the office has been damaged and says uncertainty continues.
Justice and policing Issue: Police Ombudsman temporary leave of absence announcement Original release: Police Ombudsman statement doesn’t end saga: Clarke (opens in a new tab)
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Anti-Poverty Strategy ‘weak in ambition and substance’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy, published by the Communities Minister in the Assembly, lacks ambition and substance and omits key recommendations from frontline organisations. He calls on the minister to listen to families with lived experience of poverty.
Social security and welfare Issue: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy publication in the Assembly Original release: Anti-Poverty Strategy ‘weak in ambition and substance’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Tollymore Centre review must explore national opportunities – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls on the Sports Council to explore every possible opportunity in the strategic review of Tollymore Outdoor Centre, which has been closed since Storm Éowyn, including new partnerships across Ireland. He says he will raise the matter with the Taoiseach and Newry…
Local government Issue: Tollymore Outdoor Centre strategic review by Sports Council Original release: Tollymore Centre review must explore national opportunities – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence
Alliance education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA calls on the Department of Education to allocate extra resources to the Education Authority and schools to support children affected by recent racial violence across Northern Ireland. She says newcomer children have been absent from school and asks…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Racial violence impact on school children and newcomer absences Original release: Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence (opens in a new tab)
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Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy a mediocre first attempt that lacks ambition, says Mulholland
Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA says the draft anti-poverty strategy from the Communities Minister is a weak first attempt lacking targets, an action plan and independent monitoring, and urges consultation responses.
Social security and welfare Issue: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy publication in the Assembly Original release: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy a mediocre first attempt that lacks ambition, says Mulholland (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly condemns continued delays as Minister confirms 28 month wait and millions more needed for maternity unit
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA raises concerns in the Assembly after the Health Minister said the Belfast Trust Maternity Hospital will not open for at least 28 more months, needing millions in extra safety and infrastructure work. He calls for a decision on the best way forward.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: Donnelly condemns continued delays as Minister confirms 28 month wait and millions more needed for maternity unit (opens in a new tab)
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Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the interim report of the Independent Panel on Environmental Governance, backing its recommendation for an independent Environmental Protection Agency. He urges Executive parties to fully support the final recommendations expected this…
Environment and climate Issue: Independent Panel on Environmental Governance interim report publication Original release: Independent EPA key to strengthening environmental governance, says Blair, following publication of report (opens in a new tab)
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Recent homelessness figures highlight growing crisis, says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA says the latest Department for Communities homelessness figures show prevention strategies are failing, with 5,200 households in temporary accommodation. She calls for a joined-up action plan alongside the Housing Supply Strategy to cut…
Housing Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department for Communities homelessness figures June 2025 Original release: Recent homelessness figures highlight growing crisis, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Finance Minister John O'Dowd refuses to acknowledge a funding crisis at NI Water, despite Fiscal Council warnings, and calls for a funding plan, citing Lough Neagh pollution and social housing targets.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: NI Water funding crisis and Finance Minister's refusal to acknowledge it Original release: O’Dowd ignoring crumbling water infrastructure: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive is letting down young people with special educational needs, arguing the Economy Minister's new post-school support proposals fall well short and calling for joined-up, fully resourced help.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Economy Minister's post-school proposals for pupils with additional needs Original release: Durkan: Executive failing young people with SEN (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Sinn Féin show contempt for housing crisis
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan accuses Sinn Féin of contempt for housing crisis victims after its MLAs did not vote on the SDLP's Opposition Day motion on Executive housing targets. He also says Sinn Féin ministers lack a plan for wastewater infrastructure needed for new homes.
Housing Issue: SDLP Opposition Day motion on Executive housing targets Original release: Durkan: Sinn Féin show contempt for housing crisis (opens in a new tab)