Latest releases
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2,487 releases
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First Environmental Improvement Plan report shows progress, but political will is vital to save our environment, says Blair
Alliance Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA says political will is vital to protect the environment after Andrew Muir released the first yearly update on the Environmental Improvement Plan, which Blair says shows progress.
Environment and climate Issue: Environmental Improvement Plan first annual progress report Original release: First Environmental Improvement Plan report shows progress, but political will is vital to save our environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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More work remains to tackle ‘unacceptably long’ health waiting lists – McGuigan
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA welcomes the Department of Health exceeding the Executive's 70,000 elective care waiting list target, while saying waiting lists remain far too long. He calls for sustainable solutions, including workforce planning and expanding public sector…
Health Issue: Health Minister update on elective care waiting lists and capacity Original release: More work remains to tackle ‘unacceptably long’ health waiting lists – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Good healthcare provision key to economic prosperity - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA, speaking for Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine, says Fermanagh businesses are concerned about uncertainty over the South West Acute Hospital's future and access to community healthcare. She calls for the Trust's vision for the hospital to focus…
Health Economy and employment Original release: Good healthcare provision key to economic prosperity - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Elective Care Framework Delivering Improvement and Exceeding Targets
UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt says the Elective Care Framework is delivering improvement, with waiting lists falling, capacity and productivity rising, and 70,000 additional elective activities target nearly tripled. He credits Trusts, clinicians and data use at a Stormont Clinical Leaders…
Health Issue: Health Minister update on elective care waiting lists and capacity Original release: Elective Care Framework Delivering Improvement and Exceeding Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to host major Irish unity health event in Belfast – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey says former Health and Social Care Board chief John Compton CBE will join a panel at a Belfast conference on creating a world‑class health system for a united Ireland. She will chair, with a keynote from health spokesperson David Cullinane TD, and urges the public to be‑
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish unity health system conference Belfast Original release: Sinn Féin to host major Irish unity health event in Belfast – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly: New emergency department key to relieving pressure on health service
SDLP Waterside councillor Martin Reilly says a new emergency department at Altnagelvin Hospital is needed because the current unit, over 40 years old, cannot cope with demand. He is bringing a motion to full council asking councillors to back writing to the Health Minister on the project's status…
Health Local government Original release: Reilly: New emergency department key to relieving pressure on health service (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows Announces Senior Leadership Team
Ulster Unionist Party Leader-Elect Jon Burrows MLA announces his senior leadership team ahead of his ratification, confirming Mike Nesbitt MLA continues as Health Minister and Diana Armstrong MLA becomes Chief Whip alongside her role as Deputy Leader, and reaffirms staying in the Executive.
Health Issue: Ulster Unionist Party senior leadership team announcement by Jon Burrows Original release: Burrows Announces Senior Leadership Team (opens in a new tab)
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Public Health policy shouldn’t be another casualty of the Windsor…
DUP health spokesperson and Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds has written to Secretary of State Hilary Benn asking the Government to confirm whether the Tobacco and Vapes Bill applies fully in Northern Ireland, after EU Member States objected that it cannot. She warns that public health policy should not…
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: EU Member States objections to Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Northern Ireland Original release: Public Health policy shouldn’t be another casualty of the Windsor… (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Lyons must resign after standards report
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says Communities Minister Gordon Lyons must resign after the Standards Commissioner found him in breach of the ministerial code over posts about vulnerable people sheltering in Larne leisure centre. He notes a previous 2024 breach over North South…
Community relations and legacy Housing Issue: Commissioner for Standards findings on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons' social media post Original release: O'Toole: Lyons must resign after standards report (opens in a new tab)
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‘Delivering Rural Health and Care in a New Ireland’ report published
Health Constitutional affairs Original release: ‘Delivering Rural Health and Care in a New Ireland’ report published (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín convenes meeting to tackle homelessness in Belfast
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says she has hosted a multi-agency meeting at Belfast City Hall with homeless providers, the Housing Executive, council and elected representatives. She says the talks covered backing existing services and improving winter emergency protocol communication, with more…
Housing Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall multi-agency homelessness meeting January 2026 Original release: Ní Chuilín convenes meeting to tackle homelessness in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan calls on Health Minister to examine screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan urges the Health Minister to assess introducing newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, citing early diagnosis benefits and a pilot in Scotland, and says the North should not fall behind.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Spinal Muscular Atrophy screening review in Northern Ireland Original release: McCrossan calls on Health Minister to examine screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive failing people on suicide prevention
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive is failing on suicide prevention after 290 registered suicides in 2024, a 31% rise, and calls for cross-departmental funding and fuller backing for the Mental Health Strategy and Protect Life 2. He welcomes a newly opened inquiry into how such…
Health Issue: Cross-party inquiry into suicide prevention funding launched by All-Party Group Original release: Durkan: Executive failing people on suicide prevention (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation on Nature Recovery Strategy a step in the right direction, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the public consultation on the draft Nature Recovery Strategy announced by Minister Muir, calling it a timely step to reverse nature decline and urging public bodies, businesses, farmers and citizens to submit their ideas.
Environment and climate Issue: Draft Northern Ireland Nature Recovery Strategy consultation Original release: Consultation on Nature Recovery Strategy a step in the right direction, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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New inquiry launched to improve suicide prevention services in the north – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes a new cross-party inquiry into funding for suicide prevention in the north, set up by the All-Party Group she chairs. She says the inquiry will look at services beyond a purely health-focused approach, involving schools, prisons and youth clubs, and will hear…
Health Issue: Cross-party inquiry into suicide prevention funding launched by All-Party Group Original release: New inquiry launched to improve suicide prevention services in the north – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Mournes must be protected for future generations – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says the Mourne Mountains must be protected as visitor numbers rise, urging the Stormont Executive to grant regional asset status to secure sustainable investment and safeguard fragile habitats.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Rising visitor numbers to the Mourne Mountains Original release: Mournes must be protected for future generations – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister’s winter preparedness plan has clearly failed
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's winter plan has failed in delivery, pointing to patients on trolleys and long ambulance waits. He calls for urgent action on staff retention, social care pay and safe staffing legislation, and for proper planning for…
Health Issue: Health Minister's winter preparedness plan Original release: McGrath: Health Minister’s winter preparedness plan has clearly failed (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Environmental Protection Agency - NOW!
Alliance says the DUP has blocked its plan for an independent Environmental Protection Agency at the Executive, citing Lough Neagh and the Mobuoy illegal dump, and calls on the UK and Irish governments to reform the system via a petition.
Environment and climate Issue: DUP blocks independent Environmental Protection Agency at Executive Original release: Independent Environmental Protection Agency - NOW! (opens in a new tab)
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Patients and health staff deserve better than winter preparedness delay and disorganisation, says McAllister, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says patients and staff deserve better after the Winter Preparedness Plan was published in mid-October, months after it was due in August. She calls for the Health Minister to set a timeline so 2026-27 winter planning starts earlier, with detailed…
Health Issue: Winter Preparedness Plan publication delay Original release: Patients and health staff deserve better than winter preparedness delay and disorganisation, says McAllister, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach to paediatric pathology is necessary – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says an all-Ireland approach to paediatric pathology is needed, after an Assembly motion on all-island collaboration passed. She says families currently travelling to England face extra strain, and that recruitment for specialist vacancies has been difficult.
Health Issue: Assembly motion on all-island collaboration for paediatric pathology services Original release: All-island approach to paediatric pathology is necessary – Flynn (opens in a new tab)