Latest releases
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4,983 releases
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“British Court of Appeal Permits Abortion Up Until Birth on Grounds of Down Syndrome For North of Ireland” – Cllr Doyle
Aontú Cllr Emmet Doyle criticises a British Court of Appeal ruling that allows abortion on grounds of Down syndrome up to birth, saying it will apply in Northern Ireland. He calls on Stormont to oppose abortion in the North and accuses Sinn Féin and the SDLP of supporting the change.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Court of Appeal rejects Heidi Crowter challenge on Down's syndrome abortion law Original release: “British Court of Appeal Permits Abortion Up Until Birth on Grounds of Down Syndrome For North of Ireland” – Cllr Doyle (opens in a new tab)
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Neurology review still leaves questions unanswered for huge numbers of people, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a review of 44 patient deaths under Dr Michael Watt leaves huge numbers of people with unanswered questions. She calls for wider access to services for bereaved families and survivors, and says she is meeting the Royal College of Physicians.
Health Issue: Neurology review of Dr Michael Watt patient deaths Original release: Neurology review still leaves questions unanswered for huge numbers of people, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP MPs seek to amend Executive Formation bill
SDLP MPs have tabled amendments to the Executive Formation Bill that would cut MLAs' pay to zero if they vote against every candidate for Speaker, and require consultation with the Irish Government and First Ministers designate on decisions taken without an Executive. Claire Hanna MP accuses DUP…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive Formation Bill amendments on MLA pay and Irish Government consultation Original release: SDLP MPs seek to amend Executive Formation bill (opens in a new tab)
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New economic strategy needed for the north to improve productivity – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald calls for a new economic strategy for the north, covering skills, small businesses and the all-island economy, after ESRI research showed a widening productivity gap with the south. She blames the DUP's long tenure of the economy department.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: ESRI research on north-south productivity gap Original release: New economic strategy needed for the north to improve productivity – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to support women struggling with mental health conditions post pregnancy – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín calls for an Executive to fund a specialised mother and baby unit for women with mental health conditions after pregnancy, citing around 70 annual hospitalisations for post-partum psychosis. She also urges the DUP to engage so a three-year health budget can be set.
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Celebrate Agreement’s anniversary by replacing Protocol: Brett
North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett says that if the Northern Ireland Protocol is not swapped for arrangements backed by all communities, the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement will pass without a functioning Stormont government, power‑sharing Assembly or active North‑South bodies, urging an im‑
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement Original release: Celebrate Agreement’s anniversary by replacing Protocol: Brett (opens in a new tab)
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Secretary of State should intervene immediately on workload and workforce pressures affecting GPs
Alliance calls on the Secretary of State to act urgently on GP workload and staffing pressures in Northern Ireland, following a meeting with the British Medical Association. Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says the Secretary of State should use his new budgetary powers to ease these pressures…
Health Issue: Alliance meeting with British Medical Association on GP pressures Original release: Secretary of State should intervene immediately on workload and workforce pressures affecting GPs (opens in a new tab)
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Access to PrEP key to ending HIV stigma, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw says broader access to PrEP and PEP would help end HIV stigma, following 76 new cases recorded in 2021. She calls for more work to change attitudes and make treatments more widely available.
Health Issue: 76 new HIV cases recorded in 2021 Original release: Access to PrEP key to ending HIV stigma, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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‘DUP talking out of both sides of their mouth on Protocol’ – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane accuses the DUP of inconsistency on the Protocol, citing MLA Edwin Poots lobbying to amend the Protocol Bill to protect farm benefits, and calls for an end to the Executive boycott.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: ‘DUP talking out of both sides of their mouth on Protocol’ – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard discusses Newry Rail Services with Translink Chief
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says he met Translink CEO Chris Conway about rail services in Newry and asked Translink to work with Iarnród Éireann to expand Dublin connections. He calls for at least two direct morning trains reaching Belfast before 9am.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Hazzard discusses Newry Rail Services with Translink Chief (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to invest in health services – Gildernew
Sinn Féin spokesperson for health Colm Gildernew says an Executive is needed to tackle growing pressures in health and social care and invest in services, responding to remarks by Health Permanent Secretary Peter May. He points to a three-year budget proposed by Conor Murphy with an extra £1…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Permanent Secretary Peter May comments on health system pressures Original release: Executive needed to invest in health services – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Termination of Ballymena GPs contracts a sad state of affairs and indicates need for institutional reform, says O’Lynn
Alliance North Antrim MLA Patricia O'Lynn says she is saddened by the termination of two Ballymena GP practice contracts, which could close services for over 7,000 patients, and blames the DUP's boycott of the institutions for stalling health decision-making and calling for institutional reform.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Ballymena GP practices terminating contracts and potential closure Original release: Termination of Ballymena GPs contracts a sad state of affairs and indicates need for institutional reform, says O’Lynn (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson echoes calls for justice for communities at the frontline of the climate emergency
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson, speaking as COP27 closed with a deal on loss and damage funding for vulnerable nations, says wealthy industrialised countries bear disproportionate blame for climate harm and calls for justice for affected communities. He welcomes the new fund and points to Alliance's…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: COP27 agreement on damage and loss financial assistance Original release: Tennyson echoes calls for justice for communities at the frontline of the climate emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Reid expresses concern over GP surgery closures
SDLP councillor Eugene Reid expresses concern over two Ballymena GP surgeries handing back their contracts, affecting around 7,000 patients. He calls on the Department of Health to find doctors to take over the practices and links the situation to GP workforce planning shortfalls.
Health Issue: Ballymena GP practices terminating contracts and potential closure Original release: Reid expresses concern over GP surgery closures (opens in a new tab)
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Former Finance Minister’s failures laid bare: Forsythe
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says Finance Minister Conor Murphy failed to set a budget and manage Northern Ireland expenditure, criticising the budget's impact on public services and households. She also accuses Michelle O'Neill of misleading claims and says the Secretary of State should…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Secretary of State sets Northern Ireland budget for executive departments Original release: Former Finance Minister’s failures laid bare: Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Immediate funding needed to tackle delays in discharging patients – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín calls for immediate additional funding for social care to tackle delays in discharging patients from hospitals, and for mileage costs to be met for domiciliary care workers in rural areas. She also urges the DUP to end its boycott so an Executive can be formed.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Meeting between five main parties and Department of Health Permanent Secretary on discharge delays Original release: Immediate funding needed to tackle delays in discharging patients – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Tory budget highlights the cost of DUP boycott – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy says the DUP's refusal to let the Executive set a budget will hurt hospital waiting lists and businesses, after the British Government's one-year budget left out extra business rates relief.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: British Government one-year budget for Northern Ireland, November 2022 Original release: Tory budget highlights the cost of DUP boycott – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Donaldson - Protocol destroyed cross-community balance
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson tells the Foreign Press Association in London that Stormont has no solid foundation unless the Protocol is replaced with arrangements unionists can support. He says the Protocol has eroded cross-community balance and that devolved government cannot work without its…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Donaldson - Protocol destroyed cross-community balance (opens in a new tab)
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TUV spells out the case against Sinn Fein rule
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MLA argues in a News Letter platform piece that unionists should not serve under a Sinn Fein First Minister, citing PSNI assessments that Sinn Fein is controlled by the IRA Army Council and criticising Michelle O'Neill's remarks on IRA violence. He also dismisses joint…
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Original release: TUV spells out the case against Sinn Fein rule (opens in a new tab)
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Unpaid carers among the hardest hit groups by the cost of living crisis in NI, says Armstrong
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong says unpaid carers are among those worst affected by rising living costs, citing higher energy, heating, food and transport bills. She points to new figures showing 27% of carers struggling to make ends meet and 23% cutting back on essentials, and blames the DUP's…
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Carers NI cost of living statistics on carers' financial struggles Original release: Unpaid carers among the hardest hit groups by the cost of living crisis in NI, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)