Latest releases
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5,778 releases
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Poor satisfaction ratings reinforce need for improved staff conditions at SWAH and elsewhere
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says Northern Ireland hospitals ranking near the bottom of a GMC trainee satisfaction survey, including the South West Acute Hospital, reinforces the need for safe staffing legislation and a functioning Assembly and Health Committee.
Health Issue: GMC trainee satisfaction survey ranking of Northern Ireland hospitals Original release: Poor satisfaction ratings reinforce need for improved staff conditions at SWAH and elsewhere (opens in a new tab)
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Varadkar all-Ireland comments show how he views Protocol
TUV leader Jim Allister says former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's all-Ireland remarks reveal his view of the Protocol, arguing it creates a stepping stone towards Irish unity and calling on unionists to resist it.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Varadkar all-Ireland comments on Protocol and Windsor Framework Original release: Varadkar all-Ireland comments show how he views Protocol (opens in a new tab)
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Denial of street lighting to Aylesbury and Blackrock residents is untenable
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls for an immediate fix to street lighting failures in the Aylesbury and Blackrock developments in South Antrim, which he says a developer has not maintained. He is requesting a site meeting with senior Department for Infrastructure officials and assurances that…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Denial of street lighting to Aylesbury and Blackrock residents is untenable (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers challenges Eastwood comments on NHS
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA responds to SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood's remark that Northern Ireland's health service would embarrass a third world country, calling it insulting to health staff. He calls for financial clarity and multi-year funding to tackle waiting lists and pay parity.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Colum Eastwood's Westminster remarks on Northern Ireland health service Original release: Chambers challenges Eastwood comments on NHS (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart voices concerns over MOT and driving test price hikes.
UUP Infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA voices concerns over announced rises in MOT fees and practical driving test costs, citing booking delays and pressure on struggling motorists. He says he will seek clarification on the reasoning behind the increases.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: MOT and practical driving test fee increases announced Original release: Stewart voices concerns over MOT and driving test price hikes. (opens in a new tab)
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Muir concerned about risk of for further pollution due to funding gaps in wastewater treatment
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says funding for wastewater treatment remains uncertain after recent pollution incidents, citing a letter from the department's former permanent secretary warning of a £112m gap and that living within budget could mean halting treatment. He…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Department for Infrastructure wastewater treatment funding gap warning Original release: Muir concerned about risk of for further pollution due to funding gaps in wastewater treatment (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of budget for school crossing patrol at Holy Rosary Primary School highlights need for restoration of Executive, says Alliance representatives
Alliance South Belfast MLAs Kate Nicholl and Paula Bradshaw say the lack of budget to recruit a school crossing patrol at Holy Rosary Primary School, after the Education Authority confirmed a recruitment pause continues, shows the Executive must be restored, and they call on the DUP to rejoin…
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Education Authority school crossing patrol recruitment pause continues Original release: Lack of budget for school crossing patrol at Holy Rosary Primary School highlights need for restoration of Executive, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Everyone has a part to play in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland, says Egan
Alliance MLA Connie Egan urges wider public response to the Executive Office's Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls, now out to consultation, after two research reports on violence against women and girls. She calls for improved Relationship and Sex Education as prevention.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: NI Executive Office violence against women and girls research reports launch Original release: Everyone has a part to play in tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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It’s about much more than NI to GB trade
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Protocol issues go well beyond Northern Ireland to Great Britain trade, arguing that GB to Northern Ireland trade is key because ceding control to the EU created the Irish Sea Border. He says underwriting NI to GB trade would not solve the problem, which he calls…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Secretary of State comments on Protocol trade in response to Hilary Benn Original release: It’s about much more than NI to GB trade (opens in a new tab)
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Cross-community consent the foundation of political progress
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says restoring cross-community consent is essential for devolved government, arguing the Protocol has undermined consent and urging the SDLP to recognise the Irish Sea border's impact on trade and identity. She also rejects the idea that a restored Executive will solve public…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Colum Eastwood evidence to Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on local political institutions Original release: Cross-community consent the foundation of political progress (opens in a new tab)
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Molloy raises management of Lough Neagh with British Secretary of State
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy says he has raised with the British Secretary of State the case for public ownership of Lough Neagh, citing blue-green algae blooms harming wildlife and fishing stocks. He invited the minister to visit and calls for a community partnership to manage the lough.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh blue-green algae blooms and management responsibility Original release: Molloy raises management of Lough Neagh with British Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
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No perinatal inpatient care for mothers and babies on the island of Ireland – Mark Ward TD & Órlaithí Flynn MLA
Sinn Féin's Mark Ward TD and Órlaithí Flynn MLA say there is a lack of urgency on an inpatient perinatal mental health unit on the island of Ireland, after Departments of Health gave no definitive date. Ward cites a planned 10-bed unit at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin and calls on…
Health Issue: Departments of Health responses on inpatient perinatal unit timeframe Original release: No perinatal inpatient care for mothers and babies on the island of Ireland – Mark Ward TD & Órlaithí Flynn MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says she met NICCY's chief executive to discuss special educational needs (SEND) shortfalls, citing waiting lists, cuts to mental health funding and failure to implement earlier reports. NICCY reportedly agreed to pass the concerns on and arrange a meeting with the…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly Meets Commissioner for Children and Young People over Special Education Needs Shortfalls (opens in a new tab)
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A “united Ireland”? Not in my lifetime – or yours.
Former DUP leader Peter Robinson, writing online, argues a united Ireland is not inevitable, urging unionists to win over the 'Third Block' of neutral voters and the 'Fourth Block' of abstainers, mainly from unionist areas, to keep the Union.
Constitutional affairs Original release: A “united Ireland”? Not in my lifetime – or yours. (opens in a new tab)
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Properly funded Executive needed – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy calls for a fully funded Executive to be restored immediately so it can set Northern Ireland's own budget. He warns that the UK Treasury's budget will hit public services and households hard, and urges a new fiscal framework with a funding floor and tax powers.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Government budget impact on Northern Ireland public services Original release: Properly funded Executive needed – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures
UUP education spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA marks the new school year by praising classroom assistants who support children with special educational needs. He blames the lack of an Executive for vacant posts and funding gaps, and says a returned Assembly will push for a review of their pay and…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Butler Praises Commitment of Classroom Assistants and Highlights Continued Stormont Failures (opens in a new tab)
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Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion
Alliance Knockagh Councillor Aaron Skinner welcomes the passing of his motion at Mid and East Antrim Council to set up a disability lived experience group as a subcommittee. He says the group would give disabled people a formal route to advise councillors on accessibility, infrastructure and…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Mid and East Antrim Council disability lived experience group motion Original release: Essential those with disabilities have permanent seat at decision-making table, says Skinner, following passing of motion (opens in a new tab)
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Restored Executive must move quickly on regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a restored Executive must act quickly to keep Northern Ireland in step with England and Scotland on licensing non-surgical cosmetic procedures. She cites a UK consultation launched for England and calls for a similar scheme and a possible…
Health Issue: UK consultation on licensing non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England Original release: Restored Executive must move quickly on regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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NÍ Chuilín comments on neurology review update
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says MLAs questioned the Neurology Review Team on governance and Duty of Candour in future HSC neurology plans. She calls for new structures to be embedded from the outset, and says she will press the Belfast Trust and Department for Health on governance and budgets…
Health Issue: Neurology Review Team update to MLAs Original release: NÍ Chuilín comments on neurology review update (opens in a new tab)
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Weir presses government to prioritise early diagnosis to improve…
DUP peer Lord Weir of Ballyholme presses the UK Government in the Lords on dementia services, calling for more public messaging to encourage diagnosis, subtype information with every diagnosis, and integrated post-diagnosis support ahead of new Alzheimer's treatments.