Latest releases
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3,617 releases
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Progress on Regional Mother and Baby Unit welcome but lack of interim measure disappointing, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes confirmation that the new Regional Mother and Baby Unit will be located at Belfast City Hospital, but says it is disappointing that no interim provision will be in place before the facility opens.
Health Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt announcement on Belfast mother and baby unit Original release: Progress on Regional Mother and Baby Unit welcome but lack of interim measure disappointing, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party welcomes landmark public health reform as Tobacco and Vapes Act becomes law
UUP MP Robin Swann and Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcome Royal Assent for the Tobacco and Vapes Act, calling it a landmark for public health in Northern Ireland. Chambers says smoking causes over 2,000 deaths a year locally and credits the Assembly's Legislative Consent Motion request.
Health Issue: Tobacco and Vapes Act receives Royal Assent Original release: Ulster Unionist Party welcomes landmark public health reform as Tobacco and Vapes Act becomes law (opens in a new tab)
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Ireland’s EU Presidency must be used to advance unity and peace – Kathleen Funchion MEP and Lynn Boylan MEP
Sinn Féin MEPs Kathleen Funchion and Lynn Boylan call on the Irish government to use its EU Presidency to advance unity, peace and social justice, including starting EU-level discussions on Irish reunification and representation for the North. Boylan also urges calls for suspension of the…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin priorities for Ireland's EU Presidency Original release: Ireland’s EU Presidency must be used to advance unity and peace – Kathleen Funchion MEP and Lynn Boylan MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the Independent Autism Reviewer's initial findings will help shape policy to improve services for autistic people, and says the report exposes a gap between policy and reality. He calls for the Assembly and Health Committee to keep scrutinising delivery and press…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Independent Autism Reviewer report will play key role in informing policy to improve the lives of those with Autism – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Independent Autism Reviewer's report shows autism services in Northern Ireland are failing in practice despite years of commitments. He calls on the Health Minister to take ownership and drive cross-government coordination, clear…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: McGrath: Autism report exposes failure to turn promises into reality (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: First Minister reform promises must be more than cynical rhetoric
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Sinn Féin's recent remarks on Stormont reform must be backed by substance after Michelle O'Neill gave no detail on her party's position in Assembly questions. He calls for concrete proposals that parties can progress.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Michelle O'Neill Assembly questions on Stormont reform position Original release: O’Toole: First Minister reform promises must be more than cynical rhetoric (opens in a new tab)
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Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly welcomes the first Annual Report of the Independent Autism Reviewer, Ema Cubitt, saying it must set a benchmark for services. He cites a finding that 90% of respondents felt unheard when seeking help and calls for findings to drive real improvements.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Independent Autism Reviewer first report launch Original release: Autism Reviewer’s report must be catalyst for real change, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, in her Ard Fheis address, calls for an emergency budget with a substantial fuel excise cut, €400 electricity credits, a €500 disability payment and a permanent USC cut. She accuses Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of failing working families and says the British…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: Mary Lou McDonald Ard Fheis address (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin will ensure Ireland’s future is built – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane says Irish unity will unlock the island’s social, economic and political potential and condemns recent British government decisions as damaging to northern communities. He pledges Sinn Féin will build a new, united Ireland centred on workers and families.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Sinn Féin will ensure Ireland’s future is built – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
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‘British government is destroying public services in the north’ – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard urges the British government to provide adequate funding for the Northern Ireland Executive, saying its current policies are damaging public services and urging a unity referendum if proper investment is not secured.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: British government's funding cuts to Northern Ireland services Original release: ‘British government is destroying public services in the north’ – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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TUV lays out election challenges in Newtownards meeting
TUV leader Jim Allister, speaking at a Newtownards public meeting alongside Strangford candidate Jonathan Jackson, says unionist voters must choose at the next Assembly election between DUP/UUP ministers implementing the Protocol and TUV refusing an Executive while it exists.
Constitutional affairs Original release: TUV lays out election challenges in Newtownards meeting (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland cancer waiting times worst in UK
TUV leader Jim Allister says a Cancer Research UK report showing Northern Ireland has the worst cancer waits in the UK is further evidence Stormont must act now. He cites only about 31% of patients starting treatment within 62 days in 2025 and calls for more investment, lung screening and a lower…
Health Issue: Cancer Research UK Northern Ireland Overview 2026 cancer waiting times report Original release: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times worst in UK (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan comments on latest emergency care waiting time statistics
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says recent emergency care waiting figures point to sustained strain in emergency departments, citing only 40.2% of patients seen within four hours and a sharp rise in 12-hour waits. He urges the Health Minister to tackle hospital flow, delayed discharges and…
Health Issue: Emergency care waiting time statistics for the last three months Original release: McGuigan comments on latest emergency care waiting time statistics (opens in a new tab)
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Healthcare transformation essential to tackle alarming ED wait times, says Donnelly
Alliance spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls on the Health Minister to prioritise healthcare transformation after new Department of Health figures showed a rise of over 14 per cent in patients waiting more than 12 hours in Emergency Departments.
Health Issue: Emergency care waiting time statistics for the last three months Original release: Healthcare transformation essential to tackle alarming ED wait times, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Students and young people must be at the heart of shaping a new Ireland – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes a Queen's University Belfast discussion on 'Students in a New Ireland', chaired by Ógra Shinn Féin representative Annie Nic Mhánais, and urges students to continue such conversations at universities and colleges across the island.
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Students and young people must be at the heart of shaping a new Ireland – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Allister welcomes MoD investment in NI & blasts Sinn Fein
TUV leader Jim Allister MP welcomes around £50 million of MoD defence contract investment in Northern Ireland, saying it should be backed for jobs and stability, while accusing Sinn Fein's Economy Minister and deputy First Minister of boycotting the related event.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal launch confirmed in Commons Original release: Allister welcomes MoD investment in NI & blasts Sinn Fein (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says his Westminster visit was to make the case for Northern Ireland, urging a VAT reduction for hospitality and tourism, restoration of the Irish Sea border settlement, fairness for veterans and former RUC officers, and answers on the former Police Ombudsman's security‑v
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: UUP Westminster visit urging VAT cut for hospitality Original release: Burrows presses case for Northern Ireland at Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government intervention required to protect and develop island wide economy – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy urges the Irish Government to take the lead with the British Government on cross-border business problems raised by border county Chambers of Commerce, including pensions, insurance, transport and wastewater infrastructure.
Economy and employment Constitutional affairs Issue: Good Friday Agreement Committee hearing from border county Chambers of Commerce Original release: Irish Government intervention required to protect and develop island wide economy – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must engage with British Medical Association – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to engage in meaningful dialogue with the British Medical Association to resolve a pay dispute and prevent strike action, after the BMA announced a ballot of members on industrial action.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA ballot of members on industrial action over pay Original release: Health Minister must engage with British Medical Association – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Our failure to tackle fuel costs highlights a democratic deficit” – Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says supports “do not go far enough” as most “will get no help.”
Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly criticises the fuel crisis support package as not going far enough, saying most people will get no help, and calls on Stormont to address its shortcomings and for fuel duty to be devolved.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive £36.4million home heating oil support package Original release: Our failure to tackle fuel costs highlights a democratic deficit” – Aontú deputy leader Gemma Brolly says supports “do not go far enough” as most “will get no help.” (opens in a new tab)