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5,395 releases
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“Nurses Not Fairly Paid While MLAs Take Wage While Not Working” –Cllr Mullen
Aontú Cllr Denise Mullen calls for further investment in health services and for nurses' pay to match neighbouring jurisdictions, amid the nurses' strike. She blames Stormont political deadlock for blocking a 4.5 per cent pay award and says MLAs taking wages while the Assembly is not sitting is…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurses' strike action over pay and conditions, December 2022 Original release: “Nurses Not Fairly Paid While MLAs Take Wage While Not Working” –Cllr Mullen (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Ambulance wait shows impact of health service crisis
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says a man's death after waiting over nine hours for an ambulance shows the crisis in the health service, and calls for long-term reform and an end to the DUP's boycott of Stormont.
Health Issue: Man dies after waiting over nine hours for ambulance Original release: McGrath: Ambulance wait shows impact of health service crisis (opens in a new tab)
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‘Nurses deserve fair pay and safe staffing’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls on the British government to deliver a fair pay award for nurses and health workers as they begin a second day of strike action, saying workers should not have been forced onto picket lines.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurses' strike action over pay and conditions, December 2022 Original release: ‘Nurses deserve fair pay and safe staffing’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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The RCN Strike
People Before Profit publishes an RCN strike interview from the Ulster Hospital, where RCN representatives say nurses are still out of pay parity with England, Scotland and Wales and are losing staff. They point to a 3% award not yet paid and call for it to be backdated to April.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurses' strike action over pay and conditions, December 2022 Original release: The RCN Strike (opens in a new tab)
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Cameron welcomes ambitious plans for ambulance turnaround times
DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron welcomes plans by Health and Social Care Trusts for a three-hour maximum ambulance handover limit at Emergency Departments, alongside a 48-hour discharge limit, and says each Trust must honour assurances of no cost for interim placements.
Health Issue: Trusts' three-hour ambulance handover limit and discharge reform plans Original release: Cameron welcomes ambitious plans for ambulance turnaround times (opens in a new tab)
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EU veterinary announcement
TUV leader Jim Allister says the EU's temporary veterinary medicines concession shows the Protocol lets Brussels decide Northern Ireland's supply chain, calling it an intolerable situation that cuts to the heart of the Union.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU Commission extension of veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland Original release: EU veterinary announcement (opens in a new tab)
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Latest EU move on Protocol ‘very welcome’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the EU Commission's confirmation that veterinary medicine supplies to Northern Ireland will be extended, saying it gives reassurance to those affected. He urges the British government to match the EU's flexibility and work constructively toward a lasting…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU Commission extension of veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland Original release: Latest EU move on Protocol ‘very welcome’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Ahern’s patronising of Unionists doesn’t obscure reality of constitutional change
TUV leader Jim Allister says Bertie Ahern's claims that loyalism lacks understanding of the Protocol's constitutional position were patronising and wrong. He argues constitutional change has already occurred, citing the UK Government's court argument that the Protocol disapplies Article 6 of the…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Bertie Ahern Radio Ulster comments on Unionist understanding of the Protocol Original release: Ahern’s patronising of Unionists doesn’t obscure reality of constitutional change (opens in a new tab)
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O’Neill welcomes appointment of US Envoy Joe Kennedy
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill MLA welcomes President Biden's appointment of Joe Kennedy as US envoy, saying the US is a key partner for peace and that his record on the north's interests is strong. She calls for power-sharing to be restored before the Good Friday Agreement's…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Joe Kennedy appointed as US Special Envoy Original release: O’Neill welcomes appointment of US Envoy Joe Kennedy (opens in a new tab)
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“whack-a-mole approach to animal medicines must stop” - Lockhart
DUP MP and EFRA spokesperson Carla Lockhart welcomes the extension of grace periods for veterinary medicines but says the Northern Ireland Protocol still gives the EU power over these supplies. She calls for a new agreement to address restrictions on UK goods flows before the 2025 end date.
Agriculture and rural affairs International affairs Issue: EU Commission extension of veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland Original release: “whack-a-mole approach to animal medicines must stop” - Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald speech on the 100th anniversary of the Greyabbey Martyrs
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald marks the centenary of the execution of seven IRA volunteers, the Greyabbey Martyrs, by the Free State in December 1922. She recalls their capture at Moore's Bridge, describes the killing of Thomas Behan, and calls for the republic to be realised.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Centenary of the Greyabbey Martyrs executions Original release: Mary Lou McDonald speech on the 100th anniversary of the Greyabbey Martyrs (opens in a new tab)
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Long hopes appointment of Special Envoy increases chances of quick restoration of institutions
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA hopes the appointment of Joe Kennedy as the US Special Envoy will draw international attention to the political impasse and speed up the restoration of devolved institutions before the Good Friday Agreement's 25th anniversary. She also hopes his economic remit will…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Joe Kennedy appointed as US Special Envoy Original release: Long hopes appointment of Special Envoy increases chances of quick restoration of institutions (opens in a new tab)
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‘Don’t suffer in silence this Christmas’ McKernan message to those suffering domestic abuse
SDLP Representative for Cusher Emmajayne McKernan urges people experiencing domestic abuse to seek support over the festive period, after a meeting with Women's Aid. She directs people to Armagh Down Women's Aid for confidential help.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: ‘Don’t suffer in silence this Christmas’ McKernan message to those suffering domestic abuse (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone: British government must return EU act of good faith
SDLP Rural Communities Spokesperson Patsy McGlone welcomes the EU's extension of grace periods for veterinary medicines sent to the North from Britain. He calls on the British government to reciprocate the EU's good faith and reach a deal on the Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU Commission extension of veterinary medicines supply to Northern Ireland Original release: McGlone: British government must return EU act of good faith (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald TD speech following election of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach
Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald, speaking after Leo Varadkar's election as Taoiseach, says the Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael–Green coalition has failed, citing the housing emergency, hospital waiting lists and foodbank reliance.
Housing Health Issue: Change of Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland December 2022 Original release: Mary Lou McDonald TD speech following election of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald TD speech following nomination of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD says the Taoiseach nomination of Leo Varadkar will not be supported, citing housing, healthcare and rent rises under Fine Gael and arguing the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government has failed people.
Housing Health Issue: Change of Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland December 2022 Original release: Mary Lou McDonald TD speech following nomination of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach (opens in a new tab)
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Long congratulates Varadkar on second term as Taoiseach and pays tribute to Martin
Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA congratulates Leo Varadkar on starting his second term as Taoiseach, thanks Micheál Martin for his work, and pays tribute to Simon Coveney as he likely leaves Foreign Affairs.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Change of Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland December 2022 Original release: Long congratulates Varadkar on second term as Taoiseach and pays tribute to Martin (opens in a new tab)
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Varadkar has a lot of work to do in rebuilding relations with Unionists – Beattie
UUP leader Doug Beattie says Leo Varadkar's return as Taoiseach comes at a sensitive point in EU-UK talks and Anglo-Irish relations. He wishes Micheál Martin well, but says Varadkar must repair ties with unionists and hopes he has matured on Brexit and the Protocol.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Change of Taoiseach in the Republic of Ireland December 2022 Original release: Varadkar has a lot of work to do in rebuilding relations with Unionists – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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Issues at South West Acute Hospital reinforce need for planned transformation, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a meeting with the Western Health and Social Care Trust over recruitment difficulties at South West Acute Hospital showed the need for planned transformation, and calls for a functioning Executive with a cross-departmental plan.
Health Issue: South West Acute Hospital recruitment difficulties and Western Trust meeting Original release: Issues at South West Acute Hospital reinforce need for planned transformation, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Planned cuts to youth services greatly concerning, says Alliance representatives, particularly for LGBTQIA+ young people
Alliance representatives express concern at planned Education Authority cuts to youth services, which could close LGBTQ youth groups. Connie Egan MLA says she has written to the EA seeking Section 75 protections in funding applications, while Andrew Muir MLA calls for the decision to be reversed.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Education Authority cuts to youth services and LGBTQ youth groups Original release: Planned cuts to youth services greatly concerning, says Alliance representatives, particularly for LGBTQIA+ young people (opens in a new tab)