Latest releases
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3,801 releases
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Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA says Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is not giving public transport enough priority, after Translink warned of possible bus and rail service cuts and reduced concessionary fares. He blames years of underfunding and calls on the Minister to work…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín welcomes further progress on public inquiry into Mother and Baby institutions
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes progress on the Mother and Baby Institutions Bill in the Assembly, saying it will provide a framework for a public inquiry into institutions where women and girls were held. She says victims' priority is exposing the abuse they endured and criticises…
Disability and equality Issue: Mother and Baby Institutions Bill progress in the Assembly Original release: Ní Chuilín welcomes further progress on public inquiry into Mother and Baby institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Meaningful engagement needed between Health Minister and BMA – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to urgently hold meaningful negotiations with the BMA to avert planned hospital doctor strikes, citing the 3.5% pay offer rejection and warning of added pressure on emergency services.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: Meaningful engagement needed between Health Minister and BMA – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Changes to how new drivers obtain licenses will improve road safety – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes progress on Graduated Driver Licensing, with changes to how new drivers obtain licences expected by October and new tests beginning in April 2027. She says the reforms aim to reduce serious road traffic accidents involving new and young drivers.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Graduated Driver Licensing progress following Infrastructure Committee meeting Original release: Changes to how new drivers obtain licenses will improve road safety – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive must prevent doctors’ strike
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Executive must take responsibility for deteriorating relations with healthcare workers and calls on the Health Minister to engage with staff representatives to prevent BMA-announced strike action by doctors.
Health Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: McGrath: Executive must prevent doctors’ strike (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA blames an Executive failure to properly fund Translink for possible service cuts and fare discount removals. He says students, disabled and elderly people and rural communities would be hit, and calls for expanded public transport…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers: Doctors have a genuine ally in Health Minister Nesbitt
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA expresses disappointment at the BMA in Northern Ireland balloting members for industrial action, and urges doctors to recognise Health Minister Mike Nesbitt as an ally committed to delivering their pay award once an Executive budget is agreed.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: Chambers: Doctors have a genuine ally in Health Minister Nesbitt (opens in a new tab)
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Rising prices mean door to home ownership slammed shut for many families, says Mulholland
Alliance Communities Spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA says rising house prices are shutting young people and families out of home ownership, citing the latest House Price Index showing an average near £200,000. She calls on the Communities Minister to set out a plan to boost supply and support…
Housing Issue: Latest House Price Index showing Northern Ireland average near £200,000 Original release: Rising prices mean door to home ownership slammed shut for many families, says Mulholland (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road…
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to reassess the department's roadside grass cutting approach, citing poor sight lines at junctions and on key routes after a wet, mild spell. He says the current twice-yearly cut is a safety concern and asks for more…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road… (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Health and Education Ministers to deliver for children with complex and additional needs – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Health and Education Ministers to cooperate on drafting a bill in the next mandate that would improve support for young people with complex and additional needs, urging them to act without delay.
Disability and equality Health Original release: Time for Health and Education Ministers to deliver for children with complex and additional needs – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive must agree Budget to fund 24/7 thrombectomy services
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes the Health Minister's pledge to fund a dedicated 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service once his department's Budget is confirmed. He argues progress has been too slow and blames the lack of an agreed Executive budget, and repeats the call…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister commitment to 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service Original release: McGrath: Executive must agree Budget to fund 24/7 thrombectomy services (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter welcomes Assembly backing for post-19 SEN reform
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA welcomes Assembly backing for her party's Opposition Day motion, urging the Executive to legislate for legal entitlements and consistent, high-quality post-school support for young people with special educational needs up to age 25.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly Opposition Day motion on post-19 special educational needs provision Original release: Hunter welcomes Assembly backing for post-19 SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart welcomes Belfast Harbour expansion plans but warns barriers must be removed
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA welcomes Belfast Harbour's Horizons masterplan as a vote of confidence in the regional economy, but says planning constraints and the ONS classification of Trust Ports still hamper delivery. He urges the Department to keep to the timeline for the…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Belfast Harbour Horizons masterplan announcement Original release: Stewart welcomes Belfast Harbour expansion plans but warns barriers must be removed (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to hold Endometriosis event
Sinn Féin announces an endometriosis awareness event at Shaftesbury Community & Recreation Centre on 23 May, highlighting diagnosis wait times of almost 10 years and calling on the Health Minister to act on faster referrals and specialist care.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Sinn Féin to hold Endometriosis event (opens in a new tab)
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Victims of domestic violence must be properly supported when applying for social housing – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says domestic abuse victims need proper backing when applying for social housing via the Housing Selection Scheme, and questioned the Communities Minister in the Assembly on what steps are being taken.
Housing Justice and policing Original release: Victims of domestic violence must be properly supported when applying for social housing – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP launches integrated 111 service plan to reduce pressure on health service
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath unveils a policy proposal for an integrated 111 service across Northern Ireland, modelled on a Greater Manchester system that triages patients online and by phone. He says it would ease pressure on emergency departments and urgent care, and will be put to the Health Minister.
Health Issue: SDLP integrated 111 service policy proposal launch Original release: SDLP launches integrated 111 service plan to reduce pressure on health service (opens in a new tab)
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The Case for an Integrated 111 Service
SDLP calls for a single, integrated 111 urgent care service for Northern Ireland, offering 24/7 access, clinical triage and direct booking, to ease pressure on emergency departments and support the Department of Health's 'shift left' approach.
Health Original release: The Case for an Integrated 111 Service (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan requests urgent oral on advanced heart conditions recall
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan requests an urgent oral question on the advanced heart conditions recall, after the Belfast Health Trust identified over 160 patients may have undergone unnecessary procedures, and says he has written to the Minister to seek reassurance and answers.
Health Issue: Belfast Health Trust advanced heart conditions recall Original release: McGuigan requests urgent oral on advanced heart conditions recall (opens in a new tab)
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Strangford Lough bridge would drive economic and social development across East Down – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard welcomes a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, where he pressed for a study into a permanent crossing between Portaferry and Strangford. He says it could improve year-round transport, support growth across the Ards Peninsula and Lecale, and explore tidal…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Strangford Lough fixed link proposal meeting with Infrastructure Minister Original release: Strangford Lough bridge would drive economic and social development across East Down – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Dillon pays tribute to cervical screening campaigners
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon pays tribute to women who campaigned to uncover failings in the north's cervical screening service, and calls for every recommendation from the recent independent review and earlier reviews to be fully implemented and independently monitored to rebuild public confidence.
Health Issue: Atherton Report and decision against a statutory cervical screening inquiry Original release: Dillon pays tribute to cervical screening campaigners (opens in a new tab)