Latest releases
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4,936 releases
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Chancellor busts devolution myth
TUV Upper Bann spokesperson Darrin Foster welcomes the Chancellor's confirmation that Westminster's energy cost payment does not need a Stormont executive. He says the money comes from HM Treasury and claims the point undercuts critics who linked the issue to the Protocol, and that many Unionists…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Chancellor confirms energy cost payment does not require Stormont executive Original release: Chancellor busts devolution myth (opens in a new tab)
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Submissions open to the Commission on the Future of Ireland
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA announces that online submissions to its Commission on the Future of Ireland are now open, ahead of an October People's Assembly in Belfast. He says it aims to widen democratic participation, inviting unionist, loyalist and British-identifying…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland submissions launch Original release: Submissions open to the Commission on the Future of Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw reinforces Alliance support for maternity strategy
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says her party backs the Royal College of Midwives' blueprint and calls for a Maternity Strategy with a regional maternity network, better data and consistent safety approaches, after meeting the RCM's Northern Ireland Director.
Health Original release: Bradshaw reinforces Alliance support for maternity strategy (opens in a new tab)
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‘Access to dental care must be a priority’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls for NHS dental access to be made the priority, responding to a BBC investigation finding that most practices in the north are not accepting new patients. He urges progress on urgent dental care for unregistered patients and an Oral Health strategy, and says the…
Health Issue: BBC investigation on adult NHS dentist registration in Northern Ireland Original release: ‘Access to dental care must be a priority’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Diplomatic whataboutery between EU and UK Government must end – Beattie
UUP leader Doug Beattie MC MLA calls for an end to the diplomatic back-and-forth between the EU and UK Government over the Northern Ireland Protocol, and for proper negotiations with Northern Ireland politicians involved. He welcomes Brandon Lewis's remarks that Liz Truss can be trusted to resolve…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Conservative leadership campaign comments on Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Diplomatic whataboutery between EU and UK Government must end – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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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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McKee calls for plan to finally end plastic pollution this Marine Week
Green Party councillor Barry McKee calls on DAERA Minister Edwin Poots to produce a plan to end plastic pollution during Marine Week, noting no plan has followed a 2021 call for evidence. He also points to Ards and North Down council's single-use plastic ban and refill scheme and urges a shift to…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: McKee calls for plan to finally end plastic pollution this Marine Week (opens in a new tab)
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Woodland restoration vital if Northern Ireland serious about a green recovery, says Burbank
Alliance Councillor Jay Burbank says investment in woodland restoration is essential for a credible green recovery. He welcomes Antrim & Newtownabbey council's talks with Forest Service NI on improving public access to three local forests, and calls for large-scale protection, restoration and…
Environment and climate Local government Original release: Woodland restoration vital if Northern Ireland serious about a green recovery, says Burbank (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)