Latest releases
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2,485 releases
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MLAs Pay Rise: Immoral, Unjustified, and an Insult to Every Worker and Vulnerable Child
Aontú calls the proposed 27% MLA pay rise immoral and unjustifiable, contrasting it with 3–5% increases for teachers, nurses and other public sector workers. It also demands the rise be stopped immediately, citing SEND and EA transport cuts.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: MLAs Pay Rise: Immoral, Unjustified, and an Insult to Every Worker and Vulnerable Child (opens in a new tab)
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Government recklessly rushing to pass International Protection Bill despite glaring gaps – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Matt Carthy TD criticises the Government for guillotining the International Protection Bill in the Dáil next week, saying it denies TDs scrutiny of gaps in the legislation and opposition amendments, including a community impact assessment for IPAS centres and a cap on…
Immigration International affairs Issue: Guillotine of International Protection Bill in the Dáil Original release: Government recklessly rushing to pass International Protection Bill despite glaring gaps – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Step change in flooding interventions for Six Mile Water required – Kearney
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls for a strategic step change in flood interventions for homes near Antrim's Six Mile Water after Storm Chandra. He urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to speed up the Flood Risk Feasibility Study and to order a NI Water review of…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Storm Chandra flooding in Antrim Town Six Mile Water Original release: Step change in flooding interventions for Six Mile Water required – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole says the party has tabled an amendment to an omnibus bill to create an independent environmental protection agency, citing Lough Neagh pollution and DUP blocking at Executive level. The amendment seeks an Assembly debate and vote, with the Speaker deciding whether it…
Environment and climate Issue: SDLP amendment seeking independent environmental protection agency Original release: SDLP proposes amendment to establish independent EPA (opens in a new tab)
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New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the new Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care, due to start on 1 April, but says only a statutory duty of candour will guarantee the openness and transparency the service needs.
Health Issue: Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care publication Original release: New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds says Health Minister's position on the puberty blocker trial defies logic, accusing the Ulster Unionist Party of reversing its support within 24 hours. She calls for the trial to be permanently ended, not just paused.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently… (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the First Minister's reply to her Question Time question on veterans was dismissive and offensive. She calls for devolved services such as housing, health and employment support to better recognise the barriers veterans and their families face from repeated deployments and…
Health Issue: First Minister's Question Time reply on veterans support Original release: Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support (opens in a new tab)
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Brett: First Minister’s Rhetoric Cannot Hide Costly Climate…
DUP MLA Phillip Brett criticises First Minister Michelle O'Neill for not justifying the £1 million annual cost of a proposed Climate Change Commissioner. He says the work is already done at UK level and that NI accounts for 0.04% of world emissions.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed Northern Ireland Climate Change Commissioner cost Original release: Brett: First Minister’s Rhetoric Cannot Hide Costly Climate… (opens in a new tab)
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Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says the lack of accurate, consistent mental‑health data in the north hampers service planning and delivery, and calls for a single, standardised data system to help health trusts better plan and support those in need.
Health Issue: Sinn Féin motion for single mental health data system Original release: Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers
TUV equality spokeswoman Ann McClure welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's reversal on Northern Ireland's role in the puberty blocker trial but says he must explain how the decision was made and reversed. Party colleague Timothy Gaston is seeking an urgent Assembly answer from the Minister, and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, criticises the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026, saying its carbon charges on Great Britain–Northern Ireland ferries will raise travel and goods costs. He accuses the SDLP and Alliance of…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme maritime extension order 2026 Original release: Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin bill removes barriers to accessing social housing – Eoin Ó Broin TD
Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, with Louise O'Reilly and Mark Ward, has introduced the Social Housing Passport Bill 2026 in the Dáil. It would let people move between local authority housing lists and keep their years on the list in cases such as domestic violence, employment or medical needs, and…
Housing Local government Issue: Social Housing Passport Bill 2026 introduced in the Dáil Original release: Sinn Féin bill removes barriers to accessing social housing – Eoin Ó Broin TD (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh councillor Adam Gannon says it is unacceptable that Fermanagh patients face up to 90-minute emergency journeys to Altnagelvin, citing an Assembly answer from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt showing a 2025 average of 1 hour 26 minutes. He calls for immediate local provision…
Health Issue: South West Acute Hospital emergency general surgery removal patient journey times Original release: Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds welcomes the ADHD Needs Assessment Report and its proposals for a commissioned ADHD service across Northern Ireland. He calls on the Minister to act on the recommendations and deliver the support people with the condition need.
Health Disability and equality Issue: ADHD Needs Assessment Report publication and commissioned service proposals Original release: Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart calls for urgent delivery on cancer services after the Secretary of State's response in the Commons, citing about 30 per cent of patients treated within expected timeframes. She demands ring-fenced Barnett consequentials for cancer diagnostics, radiotherapy and…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times and outcomes in the Commons Original release: Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances (opens in a new tab)
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Ferguson welcomes plan to improve management of drainage and wastewater in Derry
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes a new Living with Water in Derry plan, launched by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, covering river flood alleviation, wastewater treatment upgrades, sewer improvements and natural drainage measures. She says it builds on earlier news on wastewater…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Living with Water in Derry drainage and wastewater plan launch Original release: Ferguson welcomes plan to improve management of drainage and wastewater in Derry (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance must stop stamping its feet and start building consensus -…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA responds to Alliance Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir's comments on proposals for a new Environmental Protection Agency, calling on him to seek consensus and bring forward realistic proposals that balance environmental protection with the economy and…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Minister Andrew Muir comments on proposed Environmental Protection Agency Original release: Alliance must stop stamping its feet and start building consensus -… (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes latest example of Northern Ireland health service innovation
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes confirmation that the Royal Victoria Hospital is the first in the UK to trial the Volt Pulsed Field Ablation system for atrial fibrillation. He credits Belfast clinical teams and says the approach allows up to three patients per day and frees…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital Volt Pulsed Field Ablation UK-first trial Original release: Chambers welcomes latest example of Northern Ireland health service innovation (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Raises Serious Concerns Over Puberty Blocker Trials
DUP MLA Diane Dodds, who sits on the Assembly Health Committee, warns children should not be used as test subjects after it was announced Northern Ireland children will join a clinical trial of puberty-blocking drugs. She says children cannot give informed consent and raises concerns about the…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland participation in puberty blocker clinical trial Original release: Dodds Raises Serious Concerns Over Puberty Blocker Trials (opens in a new tab)
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EU must continue direct funding of Peace Projects in Ireland – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy presses the SEUPB on post-2027 funding for Peace Plus, warning no future money has been ringfenced from Brussels and urging the EU to keep the three-pillar model. He also calls for smaller grassroots groups to receive support.
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Peace Plus funding beyond current programme period after EU extension proposal Original release: EU must continue direct funding of Peace Projects in Ireland – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)