Latest releases
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4,137 releases
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Statutory Guidance on School Uniforms Needed - Gemma Brolly
Aontú Education Spokesperson Gemma Brolly calls for statutory guidance on school uniform costs, saying the Education Minister's 20% rise in uniform grants does little for families outside the low-income eligibility criteria. She urges a simpler dress code specifying colours rather than brands or…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Recent uniform grant increase Original release: Statutory Guidance on School Uniforms Needed - Gemma Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin urges Translink to introduce Derry train link for All-Ireland semi-final
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says she has contacted Translink asking it to extend its special Belfast-to-Dublin train service for Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final so that it also runs from Derry. She argues a Derry service would make the match more accessible for local fans.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink Derry special train for All-Ireland semi-final departing from Belfast Original release: McLaughlin urges Translink to introduce Derry train link for All-Ireland semi-final (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: DUP blocking health service reform
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath accuses the DUP of blocking health reform by refusing to return to Stormont, saying the boycott leaves overdue changes stalled and will harm patients. He responds to Health Minister Robin Swann's warning on the health service's finances.
Health Issue: Health minister's warning on impact of Executive boycott Original release: McGrath: DUP blocking health service reform (opens in a new tab)
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Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry
People Before Profit councillor Maeve O'Neill says Translink's "special" train for the Derry v Galway semi-final, which would run from Belfast rather than Derry, is a deliberate insult to Derry. She calls for the issue to be addressed immediately and for a Derry-Dublin rail service.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink Derry special train for All-Ireland semi-final departing from Belfast Original release: Translink “Special” Train An Insult To Derry (opens in a new tab)
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‘Time to make school uniforms affordable’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls for an Executive to be in place to roll out Sinn Féin’s plan to make school uniforms affordable, urging further action beyond the recent uniform grant to ease cost pressures on workers and families.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Recent uniform grant increase Original release: ‘Time to make school uniforms affordable’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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‘Clarity needed on future of Engage schools programme’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the education minister to confirm the future of the Engage II schools programme, saying uncertainty is hindering schools' planning and leaving teachers unsure of jobs in September. He calls for funding to be identified from her own budget.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Engage II schools programme future funding uncertainty Original release: ‘Clarity needed on future of Engage schools programme’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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"Urgent Action for Children With Special Needs Awaiting Support or Assessment"
Aontú Education Spokesperson Gemma Brolly welcomes the Education Minister's Special Needs Provision announcement but urges similar urgent action for children awaiting support or assessment. She says the move only reaches pupils with statements, and calls for more staff to improve pupil-to-staff…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister's Special Needs Provision announcement for mainstream schools Original release: "Urgent Action for Children With Special Needs Awaiting Support or Assessment" (opens in a new tab)
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McKeown: Action needed now to tackle "mountains of waste"
SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown calls for firm action on fly-tipping in south Belfast, citing residents in Stranmillis, the Holylands and lower Lisburn Road. He has written to the council Chief Executive seeking a meeting on targeted investigation, enforcement and prosecution.
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McKeown: Action needed now to tackle "mountains of waste" (opens in a new tab)
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“Queen’s Jubilee School Books are a Waste of Money” - Gemma Brolly
Aontú's Gemma Brolly, MLA for East Derry, criticises the UK government's decision to send a free Queen's Jubilee commemorative book to every child in the North, claiming it wastes around £12 million that could fund health and education, and calls for an opt-in approach like Scotland and Wales.
Community relations and legacy Education Issue: UK government Queen's Jubilee book distribution to schools in Northern Ireland Original release: “Queen’s Jubilee School Books are a Waste of Money” - Gemma Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Public deserve accessible, timely and high standard of general surgery Gildernew
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Colm Gildernew MLA says the public deserve accessible, timely, high‑quality general surgery and urges the DUP to end its boycott of Stormont, calling for urgent action on backlogs, staff shortages and a £1 billion health investment.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Review of General Surgery in Northern Ireland report Original release: Public deserve accessible, timely and high standard of general surgery Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Paisley calls for continued support for hydrogen sector
DUP MP Ian Paisley calls for continued government support for the hydrogen sector, particularly to drive innovation and keep Northern Ireland ahead in the industry, after attending the Hydrogen for Life conference in London.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Paisley calls for continued support for hydrogen sector (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer waiting times highlight scale of challeges facing Health…
DUP East Belfast MLA David Brooks says published cancer waiting time figures show the scale of pressures on health services and argues that delays are a lingering effect of Covid-19 service cancellations. He says the Public Inquiry should examine the impact of halting routine checks on cancer…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times statistics publication June 2022 Original release: Cancer waiting times highlight scale of challeges facing Health… (opens in a new tab)
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Review cannot be a 'false dawn' for patients
DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron welcomes the Review of General Surgery in Northern Ireland, warning it must not be a false dawn for patients facing rising waiting lists. DUP Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine says the DUP will play an integral part in delivering its 24/7 surgical…
Health Issue: Review of General Surgery in Northern Ireland report Original release: Review cannot be a 'false dawn' for patients (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer patients cannot wait any longer for functioning Executive – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says cancer patients cannot wait for a functioning Executive and urges the DUP to end its boycott so an Executive can be formed today to invest £1 billion in health, cut waiting lists and fund cancer services.
Health Issue: DUP boycott of Stormont Executive Original release: Cancer patients cannot wait any longer for functioning Executive – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Parties must get behind Way Forward on General Surgery in NI – Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the Review of General Surgery in Northern Ireland and urges all parties to back the proposed way forward, saying it offers reforms to create a universal, responsive health service and tackle workforce challenges.
Health Issue: Review of General Surgery in Northern Ireland report Original release: Parties must get behind Way Forward on General Surgery in NI – Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Unacceptable we don't have facilities to perform full emission tests for vehicles, says Muir
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA says it is unacceptable that Northern Ireland still lacks facilities for full emissions tests on cars and light goods vehicles, citing public health and environmental impacts. He notes a new Hydebank test centre due early next year, but says 15…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Lack of full emissions testing for cars and light goods vehicles Original release: Unacceptable we don't have facilities to perform full emission tests for vehicles, says Muir (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Cancer patients failed by political stalemate
SDLP Health Spokesperson and South Down MLA Colin McGrath says cancer patients are being let down by the DUP's ongoing boycott of Stormont, after new Department of Health figures showed all key cancer waiting time targets were missed again. He urges the DUP to rejoin the Executive so the Assembly…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times statistics publication June 2022 Original release: McGrath: Cancer patients failed by political stalemate (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn deeply concerned at numbers of young people waiting on mental health appointments - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn expresses deep concern over the number of children waiting for mental health referrals, citing figures showing 557 young people awaiting referral in the Belfast Trust and two Trusts without records. She calls for urgent action and says an Executive must be formed…
Health Issue: Children and young people mental health referral waiting figures Original release: Flynn deeply concerned at numbers of young people waiting on mental health appointments - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes Trust securing Dromore and Trillick GP contract - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes confirmation that the Western Trust will provide a locum GP for Dromore and Trillick surgery from 1 July. He calls for a permanent GP contractor to secure the practice's future and urges a functioning Executive to invest an extra £1billion over three years in…
Health Issue: Western Trust locum GP cover for Dromore and Trillick surgery Original release: Gildernew welcomes Trust securing Dromore and Trillick GP contract - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)
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‘Neurology families must have access to the truth’ – Ní Chuilín - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says families of deceased patients affected by the neurology scandal must receive the truth, urging thorough, transparent investigations after a review of 44 cases and the tribunal’s erasure of Dr Michael Watt.
Health Issue: Medical Practitioners Tribunal erasure of Dr Michael Watt Original release: ‘Neurology families must have access to the truth’ – Ní Chuilín - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)