Latest releases
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4,779 releases
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Translink commitment to Feasibility Study on Knockmore Line is great news says Honeyford
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA David Honeyford welcomes Translink's commitment to a feasibility assessment of reviving the Knockmore to Antrim railway, arguing it could boost growth by linking Lisburn, Ballinderry and Glenavy to the Eastern Economic Corridor.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink commitment to Knockmore Line feasibility study Original release: Translink commitment to Feasibility Study on Knockmore Line is great news says Honeyford (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: We must realise potential of dual market access
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP says Northern Ireland must capitalise on dual market access after questioning PM Rishi Sunak on the Protocol deal in the Commons. He calls for British government investment in infrastructure and higher education, and urges Stormont parties to restore functioning…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Sunak Protocol deal questioned in House of Commons Original release: Eastwood: We must realise potential of dual market access (opens in a new tab)
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Covid App Costing Public £440k a Month - Doyle
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle says the Department of Health is still spending around £440k a month on the Covid Certification Scheme, which cost £20.5m up to December 2022, though it has not been required for over a year. He calls for serious questions to be asked about the spending.
Public finance and taxation Health Original release: Covid App Costing Public £440k a Month - Doyle (opens in a new tab)
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Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA warns exhausted carers will face more pressure when Mencap's Employment Support Service for people with learning disabilities closes on 31 March 2023. She blames a lack of budget following the end of European Social Fund money and calls for…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Carers to face further stress with end of Learning Disability Support says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Parties need to explain rejection of enhanced, modernised Urgent Care Centre for local residents – Alliance
Alliance representatives in Strangford and North Down call on parties opposing an Urgent Care Centre at the Ulster Hospital to explain their stance, accusing them of retreating from Bengoa health transformation principles they previously endorsed.
Health Local government Issue: Council debate on proposed Urgent Care Centre at Ulster Hospital Original release: Parties need to explain rejection of enhanced, modernised Urgent Care Centre for local residents – Alliance (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party leader has welcomed that a deal in principle has been reached
Green Party leader Councillor Mal O'Hara welcomes the reported deal in principle between the UK and EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol, but says it was outside local influence. He urges the DUP to end its blockade of the Assembly so public services and climate action can move forward.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU-UK Windsor Framework deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Green Party leader has welcomed that a deal in principle has been reached (opens in a new tab)
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Wrong for patients to be treated like chess pieces in political Protocol game - Empey
UUP peer Lord Empey, a member of the Lords EU sub-Committee on the Northern Ireland Protocol, says medicine supply problems persist despite EU legislative changes and urges the Foreign Secretary to pursue a mutual recognition agreement with the Commission.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Lords committee letter to Foreign Secretary on Northern Ireland medicines supply Original release: Wrong for patients to be treated like chess pieces in political Protocol game - Empey (opens in a new tab)
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Long Waiting Lists for Red Flag Cancer Referrals a result of Political Instability, says Alliance MLAs
Alliance MLAs, through Health Spokesperson Ms Bradshaw, say long red flag cancer waiting lists in the Western Trust reflect political instability and call for an Executive and Health Minister to deliver long-term funding. Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly urges more Rapid Diagnosis Centres.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Western Trust red flag cancer referral waiting times figures Original release: Long Waiting Lists for Red Flag Cancer Referrals a result of Political Instability, says Alliance MLAs (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong calls for urgent clarity on budgets after Mencap NI issued 30-day redundancy notices to staff running its employment support services, citing a lack of funding information from Departments and the UK Government.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: Mencap NI employment services redundancy notices over funding uncertainty Original release: Urgent clarification needed on budgets, says Armstrong, after charity announces redundancy notices (opens in a new tab)
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Historic Downpatrick discovery needs urgent response – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls for an urgent response from government agencies to protect a potentially major Bronze Age site uncovered during work for the new Down High School in Downpatrick. He has asked authorities to set out how they will protect and examine the area.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Downpatrick Bronze Age site discovery during Down High School works Original release: Historic Downpatrick discovery needs urgent response – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Sunak Needs to Proceed without the DUP – Tóibín
Aontú's Peadar Tóibín, TD for Meath West, urges Rishi Sunak to push ahead with the Windsor Framework deal without DUP backing, blaming the DUP for Stormont's collapse and the strain on public services.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sunak EU Protocol deal and DUP opposition Original release: Sunak Needs to Proceed without the DUP – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Review of education presents major opportunity says Egan
Alliance education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA says the Independent Review of Education is a major opportunity to reform the system, after meeting the Review Panel. She raises concerns about Special Educational Needs provision and the statementing process, and calls for a single integrated system…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Independent Review of Education interim report and Review Panel meeting Original release: Independent Review of education presents major opportunity says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Pedestrian and cycle crossing for Sunnyside Street
SDLP calls for a pedestrian and cycle crossing to be provided on Sunnyside Street, according to the release's title. The release text contains no further detail on the location, timescale or responsible body.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Original release: Pedestrian and cycle crossing for Sunnyside Street (opens in a new tab)
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‘Dáithí’s Law will give hope to many waiting for transplants’ – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes the passing of Dáithí's Law at Westminster, which introduces an opt-out organ donation system, and praises the Donate4Dáithí campaign for securing it.
Health Issue: Dáithí's Law organ donation legislation passage at Westminster Original release: ‘Dáithí’s Law will give hope to many waiting for transplants’ – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Outcome of talks between UK Government and RCN must include NI health workers – Chambers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA calls for any outcome of UK Government and Royal College of Nursing talks to also apply to Northern Ireland health workers, and for the previous commitment to pay parity to be maintained.
Health Economy and employment Issue: UK Government and Royal College of Nursing talks on nurses' pay dispute Original release: Outcome of talks between UK Government and RCN must include NI health workers – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Fundamental review of education funding will be needed: Dodds
DUP education spokesperson Diane Dodds says education funding needs a fundamental overhaul, alongside a fair pay settlement for teachers, after meeting Department of Education officials. She points to rising pupil numbers, particularly SEN pupils, and per-pupil spending below the UK average.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: Fundamental review of education funding will be needed: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Erskine calls for action to sustain GP surgeries
DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine calls on the Department of Health and the Western Trust to act to stop GP surgeries closing in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, after the Brookeborough and Tempo practices handed back their contract. She says she will meet GPs, the department and the…
Health Issue: Brookeborough and Tempo surgery hands back GP services contract Original release: Erskine calls for action to sustain GP surgeries (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy calls on health department to protect Brookeborough and Tempo GP services
Sinn Féin MLA Aine Murphy urges the health department and Western Trust to act urgently to keep GP services running for around 8,000 patients in Brookeborough and Tempo after reports the surgery has returned its contract. She also argues rural GP provision must be protected and calls for a health…
Health Issue: Brookeborough and Tempo surgery hands back GP services contract Original release: Murphy calls on health department to protect Brookeborough and Tempo GP services (opens in a new tab)
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Teachers entitled to fair pay and working conditions – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan backs teachers preparing to strike over pay for the first time in five years, saying they deserve fair pay and conditions. He urges the Department of Education and employers to negotiate with unions to reach a fair pay deal, and calls on the DUP to return to the Executive.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Teachers' half-day strike on 21 February 2023 Original release: Teachers entitled to fair pay and working conditions – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Health workers and teachers deserve fair pay – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls on the British Government to end cuts to public services and agree a fair pay settlement for teachers and health workers taking strike action across the north. He also says an Executive must be formed to protect workers' rights.
Economy and employment Health Issue: February 2023 public sector strike wave and rallies across the North Original release: Health workers and teachers deserve fair pay – Kearney (opens in a new tab)