Latest releases
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4,828 releases
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Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA says Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is not giving public transport enough priority, after Translink warned of possible bus and rail service cuts and reduced concessionary fares. He blames years of underfunding and calls on the Minister to work…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport (opens in a new tab)
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Government Fuel Package is Smoke and Mirrors for NI Farmers: Butler critiques latest Labour Government announcement
UUP agriculture spokesperson and AERA Committee Chair Robbie Butler MLA says the UK Government's red diesel duty cut is 'smoke and mirrors' for farmers, as many diversified and contracting activities no longer qualify. He calls for temporary wider red diesel use during the fuel crisis and urgent…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Government red diesel duty cut for farmers announcement Original release: Government Fuel Package is Smoke and Mirrors for NI Farmers: Butler critiques latest Labour Government announcement (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín welcomes further progress on public inquiry into Mother and Baby institutions
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes progress on the Mother and Baby Institutions Bill in the Assembly, saying it will provide a framework for a public inquiry into institutions where women and girls were held. She says victims' priority is exposing the abuse they endured and criticises…
Disability and equality Issue: Mother and Baby Institutions Bill progress in the Assembly Original release: Ní Chuilín welcomes further progress on public inquiry into Mother and Baby institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Meaningful engagement needed between Health Minister and BMA – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to urgently hold meaningful negotiations with the BMA to avert planned hospital doctor strikes, citing the 3.5% pay offer rejection and warning of added pressure on emergency services.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: Meaningful engagement needed between Health Minister and BMA – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Changes to how new drivers obtain licenses will improve road safety – Ennis
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes progress on Graduated Driver Licensing, with changes to how new drivers obtain licences expected by October and new tests beginning in April 2027. She says the reforms aim to reduce serious road traffic accidents involving new and young drivers.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Graduated Driver Licensing progress following Infrastructure Committee meeting Original release: Changes to how new drivers obtain licenses will improve road safety – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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British government must deliver for local farmers – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard urges the British Government to create a distinct, protected agricultural funding package for Northern Ireland, arguing the current system is shortchanging local farmers and rural communities since changes made in 2021 to post-Brexit support.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: British government must deliver for local farmers – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive must prevent doctors’ strike
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Executive must take responsibility for deteriorating relations with healthcare workers and calls on the Health Minister to engage with staff representatives to prevent BMA-announced strike action by doctors.
Health Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: McGrath: Executive must prevent doctors’ strike (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA blames an Executive failure to properly fund Translink for possible service cuts and fare discount removals. He says students, disabled and elderly people and rural communities would be hit, and calls for expanded public transport…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers: Doctors have a genuine ally in Health Minister Nesbitt
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA expresses disappointment at the BMA in Northern Ireland balloting members for industrial action, and urges doctors to recognise Health Minister Mike Nesbitt as an ally committed to delivering their pay award once an Executive budget is agreed.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA hospital doctors strike action over 3.5% pay offer Original release: Chambers: Doctors have a genuine ally in Health Minister Nesbitt (opens in a new tab)
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Fuel duty freeze bare minimum but welcome, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood welcomes the Prime Minister's postponement of a planned 5p fuel duty increase but says it is the bare minimum. She calls for VAT removal on home heating oil and agricultural diesel and higher windfall taxes on energy companies.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Prime Minister's postponement of 5p fuel duty increase Original release: Fuel duty freeze bare minimum but welcome, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road…
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to reassess the department's roadside grass cutting approach, citing poor sight lines at junctions and on key routes after a wet, mild spell. He says the current twice-yearly cut is a safety concern and asks for more…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Dunne Calls for Urgent Review of Grass Cutting Policy Amid Road… (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Health and Education Ministers to deliver for children with complex and additional needs – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Health and Education Ministers to cooperate on drafting a bill in the next mandate that would improve support for young people with complex and additional needs, urging them to act without delay.
Disability and equality Health Original release: Time for Health and Education Ministers to deliver for children with complex and additional needs – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Hospitality businesses deserve a level playing field across the island – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy calls on the British government to align Northern Ireland's VAT rate for hospitality businesses with the 9% rate due in the Republic, arguing northern firms face a 20% rate amid rising costs.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: Hospitality businesses deserve a level playing field across the island – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Executive parties’ conspiracy of silence on Budget is deafening
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole says Executive parties' silence over failing to agree a Budget is unacceptable, warning that domestic violence support and community relations funding are being jeopardised as the Executive reaches its eighth week without one.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive failure to pass multi-year budget Original release: O'Toole: Executive parties’ conspiracy of silence on Budget is deafening (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive must agree Budget to fund 24/7 thrombectomy services
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes the Health Minister's pledge to fund a dedicated 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service once his department's Budget is confirmed. He argues progress has been too slow and blames the lack of an agreed Executive budget, and repeats the call…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister commitment to 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service Original release: McGrath: Executive must agree Budget to fund 24/7 thrombectomy services (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter welcomes Assembly backing for post-19 SEN reform
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA welcomes Assembly backing for her party's Opposition Day motion, urging the Executive to legislate for legal entitlements and consistent, high-quality post-school support for young people with special educational needs up to age 25.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly Opposition Day motion on post-19 special educational needs provision Original release: Hunter welcomes Assembly backing for post-19 SEN reform (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart welcomes Belfast Harbour expansion plans but warns barriers must be removed
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA welcomes Belfast Harbour's Horizons masterplan as a vote of confidence in the regional economy, but says planning constraints and the ONS classification of Trust Ports still hamper delivery. He urges the Department to keep to the timeline for the…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Belfast Harbour Horizons masterplan announcement Original release: Stewart welcomes Belfast Harbour expansion plans but warns barriers must be removed (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to hold Endometriosis event
Sinn Féin announces an endometriosis awareness event at Shaftesbury Community & Recreation Centre on 23 May, highlighting diagnosis wait times of almost 10 years and calling on the Health Minister to act on faster referrals and specialist care.
Health Disability and equality Original release: Sinn Féin to hold Endometriosis event (opens in a new tab)
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Victims of domestic violence must be properly supported when applying for social housing – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says domestic abuse victims need proper backing when applying for social housing via the Housing Selection Scheme, and questioned the Communities Minister in the Assembly on what steps are being taken.
Housing Justice and policing Original release: Victims of domestic violence must be properly supported when applying for social housing – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP launches integrated 111 service plan to reduce pressure on health service
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath unveils a policy proposal for an integrated 111 service across Northern Ireland, modelled on a Greater Manchester system that triages patients online and by phone. He says it would ease pressure on emergency departments and urgent care, and will be put to the Health Minister.
Health Issue: SDLP integrated 111 service policy proposal launch Original release: SDLP launches integrated 111 service plan to reduce pressure on health service (opens in a new tab)