Latest releases
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4,457 releases
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Dental treatment "not just added extra" – Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says dental care should be central to health reform after a BBC investigation found most adults in Northern Ireland cannot register with an NHS dentist. She calls for urgent action to make dentists more accessible and to train more of them.
Health Issue: BBC investigation on adult NHS dentist registration in Northern Ireland Original release: Dental treatment "not just added extra" – Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Waiting list figures demonstrate need for health service reform
DUP MLA Pam Cameron says figures showing over 17,000 people on waiting lists died in Northern Ireland in three years are deeply disturbing and calls for reform of the health service. She says the problems predate Covid-19 and pledges to press Westminster for funding and a future Executive focused…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland waiting list deaths figures over three years Original release: Waiting list figures demonstrate need for health service reform (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent intervention needed for adult ADHD provision – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls on Health Minister Robin Swann to intervene urgently for adult ADHD services after a constituent was refused NHS medication following a private diagnosis and the Northern Trust reportedly refuses adult referrals.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Urgent intervention needed for adult ADHD provision – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed now to hire more doctors- Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says a possible closure of Priory GP surgery in County Down, due to a shortage of doctors, is troubling for patients. He calls on the Department of Health to step in and explore ways to keep the service open, and urges the restoration of the Executive to fund more GP…
Health Issue: Priory GP surgery possible closure in County Down Original release: Executive needed now to hire more doctors- Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP welcomes new Councillor Simon Lee
SDLP welcomes new Councillor Simon Lee, saying he joins the party for its vision of economic and social justice and a new Ireland, and praising his work on local issues, public services and climate action.
Other Constitutional affairs Issue: Cllr Simon Lee departure from Green Party Original release: SDLP welcomes new Councillor Simon Lee (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne alarmed at GP Surgery services being cut in North Down
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne says he is alarmed by the planned cessation of GP services at Priory Surgery in Holywood and Springhill Surgery in Bangor from 1 February 2023, has written to the Health Minister and asked for a meeting to secure new partners and maintain continuity for the 14,525 patients.
Health Issue: Holywood and Bangor GP surgery withdrawal of services from February 2023 Original release: Dunne alarmed at GP Surgery services being cut in North Down (opens in a new tab)
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No place for discrimination against children because of choice of sport – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane expresses dismay at attempts to stop children and young people playing Gaelic Games at Victoria Park in East Belfast. He calls for work on a playing surface there to continue, saying discrimination based on choice of sport has no place in society.
Disability and equality Issue: Victoria Park East Belfast Gaelic Games pitch works halted Original release: No place for discrimination against children because of choice of sport – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Agri-food sector is not a ‘plaything’ for future Tory leader, says Blair
Alliance MLA John Blair says the agri‑food sector must not be used as a political toy by the future Conservative leader, warning that UK plans to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol would damage NI’s Single Market access, farm productivity and net‑zero goals.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: UK plans to override parts of the NI Protocol Original release: Agri-food sector is not a ‘plaything’ for future Tory leader, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Muir: Potential closure of North Down surgery extremely worrying
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir says the announced withdrawal of GP services from February 2023 at two North Down surgeries, affecting over 14,000 patients, is causing serious concern. He calls on the Department of Health to give patients assurances and raise service standards, and says he has requested…
Health Issue: Holywood and Bangor GP surgery withdrawal of services from February 2023 Original release: Muir: Potential closure of North Down surgery extremely worrying (opens in a new tab)
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McCusker: Stormont failing vulnerable people in our communities
SDLP councillor Paul McCusker says the lack of a restored Stormont executive is harming vulnerable people facing homelessness, mental health and addiction problems. He criticises the DUP for blocking the SDLP's bid to elect a Speaker and calls for government-led intervention and health service…
Health Housing Issue: Failed attempt to elect Assembly Speaker, August 2022 Original release: McCusker: Stormont failing vulnerable people in our communities (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill comments on IRA terror raise serious questions
TUV councillor Stephen Cooper criticises Sinn Féin leader Michelle O'Neill's remark that IRA violence had no viable substitute, saying it insults Claudy bombing victims. He warns unionists against backing her as First Minister.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Michelle O'Neill comments on IRA violence during the Troubles Original release: O’Neill comments on IRA terror raise serious questions (opens in a new tab)
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New research demonstrates that Protocol is working – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald says new NIESR research shows businesses are benefiting from the Protocol and calls for it to stay and be boosted by investment. She urges the British government to drop threats to override it and to stop backing DUP blocking of an Executive.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: NIESR research on Northern Ireland Protocol business benefits Original release: New research demonstrates that Protocol is working – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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We can form Executive today to deal with rising cost of living – O’Neill
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill calls for an Executive to be formed immediately, accusing the DUP of blocking it and pledging £1 billion over three years to cut waiting lists and improve health services.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Stormont Executive formation delay as 90 days pass after election Original release: We can form Executive today to deal with rising cost of living – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Politics will continue to be stuck in Groundhog Day unless reforms to institutions happen, say Alliance MLAs
Alliance MLAs Patrick Brown and Kate Nicholl say politics will stay stuck in a repeating cycle unless institutional reforms are made, after a failed attempt to elect an Assembly Speaker. Brown calls for reforms so the institutions cannot be held hostage when parties refuse to take part, and…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Failed attempt to elect Assembly Speaker, August 2022 Original release: Politics will continue to be stuck in Groundhog Day unless reforms to institutions happen, say Alliance MLAs (opens in a new tab)
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Sir Jeffrey - "we need less grandstanding and more focus on resolving…
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP says a recall of the Assembly, backed by pro-protocol parties, is a stunt showing disregard for unionists and power sharing. He argues it is about grandstanding rather than resolving problems with the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly recall petition supported by pro-protocol parties, August 2022 Original release: Sir Jeffrey - "we need less grandstanding and more focus on resolving… (opens in a new tab)
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Tories are bad for your health- Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls the Tory plans to penalise patients 'insulting' and says the Tories should stop backing the DUP in blocking an Executive that would invest an extra £1 billion in health. He urges the British government to act on the cost-of-living crisis.
Health Economy and employment Original release: Tories are bad for your health- Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister’s tribute to Lord Trimble in the Assembly and noting the political lessons to be learned in respect of the failed Belfast Agreement
TUV leader Jim Allister pays tribute to Lord Trimble, recalling him as a university lecturer and praising his family ties, while stating he disagreed with Trimble over the Belfast Agreement, which he calls built on prisoner releases and a process of ever-constant concessions.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Jim Allister’s tribute to Lord Trimble in the Assembly and noting the political lessons to be learned in respect of the failed Belfast Agreement (opens in a new tab)
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Ireland reaches target in Sinn Féin led EU campaign for global vaccine equity
Sinn Féin's David Cullinane TD, Colm Gildernew MLA and Chris MacManus MEP welcome Ireland meeting its national signature target for the European Citizens' Initiative on fair access to Covid-19 medicines, which closed on 1 August with 9,373 Irish signatures.
Health International affairs Issue: No Profit on Pandemic European Citizens' Initiative closes with Ireland meeting target Original release: Ireland reaches target in Sinn Féin led EU campaign for global vaccine equity (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole challenges DUP to get back to work
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA challenges the DUP to return to Stormont work as the Assembly is recalled from summer recess, arguing that the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill's passage removes its excuse for blocking cost of living support.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP Assembly recall petition as Northern Ireland Protocol Bill passes Commons third reading Original release: O’Toole challenges DUP to get back to work (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Trimble’s role in securing peace will not be forgotten
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says former UUP leader and First Minister David Trimble will be remembered for his vision and leadership in reaching the 1998 peace deal, and that his place in history is secure. He offers sympathy to the family ahead of Monday's funeral.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Original release: O’Toole: Trimble’s role in securing peace will not be forgotten (opens in a new tab)