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2,935 releases
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Education Minister should confirm children will not lose classroom assistants – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls on the Education Authority and the Education Minister to confirm that no child currently receiving a classroom assistant will lose that support under new EA proposals. He says the policy could reduce or remove one-to-one help for some children and that his party…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority classroom assistant support policy proposals Original release: Education Minister should confirm children will not lose classroom assistants – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Deis ag Ard Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge díriú ar Éire nua a thógáil – Kearney | Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis an opportunity to focus on building a new Ireland – Kearney
Sinn Féin's National Chairperson Declan Kearney, speaking ahead of Conradh na Gaeilge's Ard Fheis, calls Belfast's selection as host city significant and says its theme on the Irish language in a united Ireland is timely. He adds that he will join a panel discussion at the event.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Original release: Deis ag Ard Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge díriú ar Éire nua a thógáil – Kearney | Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis an opportunity to focus on building a new Ireland – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the new Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care, due to start on 1 April, but says only a statutory duty of candour will guarantee the openness and transparency the service needs.
Health Issue: Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care publication Original release: New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Political institutions must be inclusive and representative of persons with disabilities, says Armstrong
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong says political institutions should reflect and include people with disabilities. She made the remarks after being selected by the Assembly to attend a Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities regional forum in Edinburgh on 20-21 February 2026.
Disability and equality Original release: Political institutions must be inclusive and representative of persons with disabilities, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds says Health Minister's position on the puberty blocker trial defies logic, accusing the Ulster Unionist Party of reversing its support within 24 hours. She calls for the trial to be permanently ended, not just paused.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently… (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the First Minister's reply to her Question Time question on veterans was dismissive and offensive. She calls for devolved services such as housing, health and employment support to better recognise the barriers veterans and their families face from repeated deployments and…
Health Issue: First Minister's Question Time reply on veterans support Original release: Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support (opens in a new tab)
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Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says the lack of accurate, consistent mental‑health data in the north hampers service planning and delivery, and calls for a single, standardised data system to help health trusts better plan and support those in need.
Health Issue: Sinn Féin motion for single mental health data system Original release: Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna condemns racist graffiti
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP condemns racist graffiti on the Bass Buildings in Alfred Street, Belfast, which a Belfast Asian Women's Academy representative said contained a death threat. She says racism and hate are on the rise and calls for a society-wide response.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti found at Belfast city centre residential building Original release: Hanna condemns racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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Sexual crimes during the Troubles must be addressed in the Legacy Bill
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA says he will table a motion on 17 February urging the Government to add sexual crimes as a specific criterion in the Legacy Commission Bill’s Troubles investigation, and calls on the First and Deputy First Minister to back it.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy Commission Bill – inclusion of sexual crimes Original release: Sexual crimes during the Troubles must be addressed in the Legacy Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Racist graffiti in Bass Buildings reinforces cost of inaction on tackling racism, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA says racist graffiti found in a Belfast city centre residential building shows the cost of inaction on racism, blaming the First and deputy First Minister for failing to act. She calls for an update to the Race Relations Order and a Racial Equality Strategy.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti found at Belfast city centre residential building Original release: Racist graffiti in Bass Buildings reinforces cost of inaction on tackling racism, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers
TUV equality spokeswoman Ann McClure welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's reversal on Northern Ireland's role in the puberty blocker trial but says he must explain how the decision was made and reversed. Party colleague Timothy Gaston is seeking an urgent Assembly answer from the Minister, and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh councillor Adam Gannon says it is unacceptable that Fermanagh patients face up to 90-minute emergency journeys to Altnagelvin, citing an Assembly answer from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt showing a 2025 average of 1 hour 26 minutes. He calls for immediate local provision…
Health Issue: South West Acute Hospital emergency general surgery removal patient journey times Original release: Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds welcomes the ADHD Needs Assessment Report and its proposals for a commissioned ADHD service across Northern Ireland. He calls on the Minister to act on the recommendations and deliver the support people with the condition need.
Health Disability and equality Issue: ADHD Needs Assessment Report publication and commissioned service proposals Original release: Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart calls for urgent delivery on cancer services after the Secretary of State's response in the Commons, citing about 30 per cent of patients treated within expected timeframes. She demands ring-fenced Barnett consequentials for cancer diagnostics, radiotherapy and…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times and outcomes in the Commons Original release: Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes latest example of Northern Ireland health service innovation
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes confirmation that the Royal Victoria Hospital is the first in the UK to trial the Volt Pulsed Field Ablation system for atrial fibrillation. He credits Belfast clinical teams and says the approach allows up to three patients per day and frees…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital Volt Pulsed Field Ablation UK-first trial Original release: Chambers welcomes latest example of Northern Ireland health service innovation (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Raises Serious Concerns Over Puberty Blocker Trials
DUP MLA Diane Dodds, who sits on the Assembly Health Committee, warns children should not be used as test subjects after it was announced Northern Ireland children will join a clinical trial of puberty-blocking drugs. She says children cannot give informed consent and raises concerns about the…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland participation in puberty blocker clinical trial Original release: Dodds Raises Serious Concerns Over Puberty Blocker Trials (opens in a new tab)
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EU must continue direct funding of Peace Projects in Ireland – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy presses the SEUPB on post-2027 funding for Peace Plus, warning no future money has been ringfenced from Brussels and urging the EU to keep the three-pillar model. He also calls for smaller grassroots groups to receive support.
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Peace Plus funding beyond current programme period after EU extension proposal Original release: EU must continue direct funding of Peace Projects in Ireland – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney calls for improved GP services in South Antrim
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says GP services across South Antrim are inconsistent and access is near impossible in some urban areas, calling on the Health Minister for considerable investment and targeted support. He links poor access to pressure on Antrim Area Hospital's emergency department.
Health Original release: Kearney calls for improved GP services in South Antrim (opens in a new tab)
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A full-time thrombectomy service will help stroke patients in North – McGuigan
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson and North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to introduce a 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service, noting it is still only available 8am to 5pm despite a 2022 Stroke Action Plan target of end-2024.
Health Issue: Assembly debate on 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service in the North Original release: A full-time thrombectomy service will help stroke patients in North – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces plans to tackle welfare fraud and error
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a drive to tackle benefit fraud and error, citing recommendations from a specialist working group, including staff training and technology use. He warns some measures depend on funding bids and seeks Executive support for initial investment.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Department benefit fraud and error working group recommendations Original release: Minister announces plans to tackle welfare fraud and error (opens in a new tab)