Latest releases
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43 releases
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Pressure must stay on the Southern Trust and the Health Minister to save Daisy Hill maternity services – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes calls for the Southern Trust and Health Minister to reinstate Daisy Hill maternity services after the Trust's decision to approve temporary relocation.
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services suspension Original release: Pressure must stay on the Southern Trust and the Health Minister to save Daisy Hill maternity services – Hughes
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Education Minister must ensure RSE is age appropriate and evidence based – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason calls on the Education Minister to ensure Relationships and Sex Education is age‑appropriate, evidence‑based and tailored to young people’s development, after yesterday’s Assembly debate.
Education Issue: Assembly debate on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Original release: Education Minister must ensure RSE is age appropriate and evidence based – Mason
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Draft agreement between EU and British government ‘further evidence of failed Brexit project’ – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes a draft agreement between the EU and the British government on food and plant products, calling it further evidence that Brexit was a failed political project. She says she met the British Cabinet Office Windsor Framework team about the announcement.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK food and plant products agreement Original release: Draft agreement between EU and British government ‘further evidence of failed Brexit project’ – Ferguson
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BROLLY: “Safeguarding must not be used as an excuse to sideline parents”
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly, ahead of an Assembly debate on the Education Committee's RSE report, says safeguarding must not sideline parents and calls for parental withdrawal rights, school ethos and transparency to be protected in future reforms.
Education Issue: Assembly debate on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Original release: BROLLY: “Safeguarding must not be used as an excuse to sideline parents”
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Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken welcomes the draft UK‑EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement on food checks, but warns that Northern Ireland will stay split from the rest of the UK on many regulations and that the new EU customs code will increase trade divergence.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK food and plant products agreement Original release: Aiken: Food checks deal welcome, but Irish Sea border is far from gone
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TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA says Paul Givan’s TransformED is steering education the wrong way, warning it would increase high‑stakes exams, cut coursework, narrow the curriculum and add pressure on teachers while ignoring academic selection, and urges the Minister to listen to ‑
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
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Belfast to bid for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes Belfast City Council’s decision to launch a bid to bring the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Belfast in 2028, praising the 2023 event’s impact and urging everyone to support the bid for another historic year.
Local government Issue: Belfast City Council bid to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 Original release: Belfast to bid for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2028 – Maskey
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Burrows calls for end to private fireworks sales
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA calls for a ban on private fireworks sales in Northern Ireland, limiting them to organised public displays and low‑noise options, and urging tougher penalties for illegal supply, citing animal distress.
Justice and policing Issue: Fireworks law reform call by party leader Jon Burrows MLA Original release: Burrows calls for end to private fireworks sales
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Flynn welcomes investment in Endometriosis services and new surgical technology
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes the new gynaecological surgical robot in Belfast and the £1.95 million Health Minister announced for regional endometriosis centres, calling for improved diagnosis, treatment, all‑island cooperation and sustained investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Introduction of new gynaecological surgical robot in Belfast Original release: Flynn welcomes investment in Endometriosis services and new surgical technology
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Allen welcomes opening of new Harland & Wolff fabrication hall
UUP MLA Andy Allen welcomes the opening of Harland & Wolff’s new Resurgent Hall, saying the £100 million investment creates over 900 skilled jobs and apprenticeships, supports Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and boosts Belfast’s shipbuilding future, and urges more work for local workers.
Economy and employment Issue: Harland & Wolff £100 million investment announcement Original release: Allen welcomes opening of new Harland & Wolff fabrication hall
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Butler Announces £1.95m Investment in Endometriosis Services
UUP statement reports Health Minister Robbie Butler announcing £1.95 million for endometriosis services, including £700,000 for the Belfast and Western Trusts' Regional Endometriosis Centres and £1.25 million across the five Trusts for a new regional pathway.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Butler Announces £1.95m Investment in Endometriosis Services
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Michelle O’Neill pays tribute to Ciara Mageean
Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill offers condolences to the family of athlete Ciara Mageean, who has died after a battle with cancer, praising her sporting achievements and character.
Other Original release: Michelle O’Neill pays tribute to Ciara Mageean
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Sinn Féin will oppose any attempt to place British state forces beyond reach of accountability – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says the British government must drop proposals to give the British Attorney General final authority over conflict‑related prosecutions, calling the move a threat to the independence of the prosecution service and to accountability for state forces, and pledges to stand by
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: British government proposals to give Attorney General final say on conflict-related prosecutions Original release: Sinn Féin will oppose any attempt to place British state forces beyond reach of accountability – Finucane
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Health Minister: 'Let’s work together to protect our Health Service this winter'
Health Minister Robbie Butler urges the public to help protect health services this winter, as the six HSC Trusts and the PHA publish their Winter Surge plans, and asks people to get vaccinated and seek early care locally.
Health Issue: Winter Surge plans publication Original release: Health Minister: 'Let’s work together to protect our Health Service this winter'
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You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
The party Leader Jon Burrows criticises DUP's decision to exclude Northern Ireland from an economic forum, saying it punishes Northern Ireland and undermines the Union. He suggests Health Minister Robbie Butler should attend instead.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP's decision to exclude Northern Ireland from Economic Forum in Glasgow Original release: You cannot champion the Union by leaving Northern Ireland's chair empty
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Burrows: rule of law must apply without fear or favour
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says the High Court judgment confirms Portadown District’s legal right to parade and condemns the protest that sought to block it, urging reforms to bar offending office‑holders and calling for on‑the‑spot super‑fines and prosecutions for parade law breaches.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parade ban High Court judgment Original release: Burrows: rule of law must apply without fear or favour
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Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong criticises Labour's Family Farm Tax and red diesel changes. She says these policies are causing stress and financial difficulties for farmers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Labour's Family Farm Tax implementation and red diesel duty changes Original release: Armstrong: Labour’s red hand strikes farmers again
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Swann responds to Budget
UUP MP Robin Swann welcomes £7.5 million for cyber and AI research in Belfast and £1 million for a Northern Ireland Investment Summit, but says the Budget's £270 million Barnett consequentials are spread over four years and fall short. He calls for clarity on allocation this financial year and…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Swann responds to Budget
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Ebrington Hotel device put families at risk, says Alderman Guy
UUP Alderman Darren Guy condemns those responsible after the PSNI confirmed a viable explosive device was left at the Ebrington Hotel in Derry, saying the act put families at risk during the Halloween funfair and endangers staff and guests.
Justice and policing Original release: Ebrington Hotel device put families at risk, says Alderman Guy
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Common sense prevails as Queen’s lifts Remembrance collarette ban
Young Unionist chairman Jay Basra welcomes Queen's University Belfast's decision to lift the ban on Orange collarettes at its Remembrance Sunday service on 8 November, saying it respects participants' identity and urging the university to consult students before future changes.
Community relations and legacy Education Original release: Common sense prevails as Queen’s lifts Remembrance collarette ban