Latest releases
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3,358 releases
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First and deputy First Minister can no longer ignore Covid Inquiry’s demand for institutional reform – Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, Executive Office spokesperson, says the First and deputy First Minister can no longer sidestep the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's findings on Executive dysfunction. She argues only institutional overhaul will prevent political deadlock from hampering future emergency health…
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: UK Covid-19 Inquiry recommendations on Executive dysfunction and institutional reform Original release: First and deputy First Minister can no longer ignore Covid Inquiry’s demand for institutional reform – Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard raises serious concerns over Downe Hospital service reductions
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has raised concerns with the South Eastern Health Trust over reduced services at Downe Hospital on St Patrick's Day, calling for adequate staffing and a holiday contingency strategy.
Health Issue: Downe Hospital service reductions on St Patrick's Day 2026 Original release: Hazzard raises serious concerns over Downe Hospital service reductions (opens in a new tab)
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Women deserve timely, high-quality care at every stage of their lives – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says women in the north are let down by a health system that dismisses their pain, citing long waits for breast and gynaecology services and endometriosis care. She welcomes an Assembly vote backing a Women's Health Strategy and says her party supports a fully resourced…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on a Women's Health Strategy passed Original release: Women deserve timely, high-quality care at every stage of their lives – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Mulholland welcomes purchase of NI buses by Greater Manchester Mayor
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland welcomes Greater Manchester's order of 55 more electric buses from Ballymena manufacturer Wrightbus, part of a £66 million investment, and calls it a vote of confidence in North Antrim's manufacturing workforce.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Greater Manchester order of 55 electric buses from Wrightbus Original release: Mulholland welcomes purchase of NI buses by Greater Manchester Mayor (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to commission a feasibility study into a bridge linking Portaferry and Strangford across Strangford Lough, arguing it would boost economic and social development. He also cites possible tidal energy and cycling lanes.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Hazzard makes case for Strangford Lough Bridge Study (opens in a new tab)
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McIlveen: DUP Brings Common Sense to Debate on New Environment Quango
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA says the DUP alone applied common sense in an Assembly debate on a proposed independent Environmental Protection Agency, arguing it would add another unelected arm's length body and shift responsibility from DAERA's Minister. Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP…
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly debate on proposed independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: McIlveen: DUP Brings Common Sense to Debate on New Environment Quango (opens in a new tab)
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Questions for Infrastructure Minister in light of latest court…
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says a latest court judgement on the A5 road project was no surprise and questions Infrastructure Minister's meetings with the DAERA Minister and her earlier Assembly claims about talks. She says the minister must explain the lack of urgency.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: High Court ruling on A5 road scheme Original release: Questions for Infrastructure Minister in light of latest court… (opens in a new tab)
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Gordon Lyons ‘heel dragging’ on purchasing temporary accommodation – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew accuses Communities Minister Gordon Lyons of dragging his heels on buying temporary accommodation, saying none of the 600 homes funded under the scheme have been purchased. He calls on the minister to speed up purchases so homes reach those who need them.
Housing Issue: Communities Department purchase of 600 temporary accommodation homes not progressed Original release: Gordon Lyons ‘heel dragging’ on purchasing temporary accommodation – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK
TUV MP Jim Allister calls on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to make abiraterone available to Northern Ireland men with prostate cancer that has not spread, as it is already offered in England, Scotland and Wales. The Minister says NI lacks a NICE equivalent and cites budget pressures.
Health Issue: Abiraterone prostate cancer drug availability in Northern Ireland Original release: Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK (opens in a new tab)
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We must all stay united to deliver A5 – Begley
Sinn Féin MP Órfhlaith Begley reaffirms her party's commitment to building the A5 road and saving lives after a High Court ruling, noting the case returns to the Court of Appeal. She welcomes the Infrastructure Minister's stated intention to continue her appeal and calls for all parties to stay…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: High Court ruling on A5 road scheme Original release: We must all stay united to deliver A5 – Begley (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon questions Sinn Féin’s commitment to delivering Enniskillen Bypass
SDLP council group leader Councillor Adam Gannon questions Sinn Féin's commitment to the A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass after a Sinn Féin amendment removed firm commitments to reinstate £6.6m funding, start work in 2026 and include the project in an Executive multi-year budget.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Sinn Féin amendment to SDLP motion on A4 Enniskillen bypass funding Original release: Gannon questions Sinn Féin’s commitment to delivering Enniskillen Bypass (opens in a new tab)
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McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen warns that extending the carbon market to shipping could raise freight costs by about £15 per trailer, pushing prices up for businesses and households. She criticises Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance for backing the measure and calls for the policy to be…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Assembly debate on extending UK carbon pricing to maritime transport Original release: McIlveen warns Maritime Carbon Scheme could drive up costs for… (opens in a new tab)
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New residents’ parking scheme will benefit communities – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement that applications for residents' parking schemes will open in April 2026, operated on the basis of demand, and urges residents who think it would help their area to apply.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister residents' parking scheme applications announcement Original release: New residents’ parking scheme will benefit communities – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Clarity needed from Infrastructure Minister on Residents' Parking Zones
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to set out a timeline for Residents' Parking Zones after she announced a scheme letting residents apply for them. He welcomes the plan but says no specific timelines were given.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister residents' parking scheme applications announcement Original release: McNulty: Clarity needed from Infrastructure Minister on Residents' Parking Zones (opens in a new tab)
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Time for NI to move away from fossil fuel dependency, says Bamford
Alliance councillor Jessica Bamford urges the Economy Minister to draft a plan for moving Northern Ireland away from fossil fuel reliance, via a council motion, citing rising home heating oil costs linked to Middle East instability.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Lisburn and Castlereagh council motion on fossil fuel dependency energy plan Original release: Time for NI to move away from fossil fuel dependency, says Bamford (opens in a new tab)
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SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls on Secretary of State Hilary Benn to step in and help establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency, which he says all main parties committed to in New Decade, New Approach. He accuses the DUP of blocking it at the Executive ahead…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Environmental Protection Agency establishment blocked at Executive Original release: SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services
TUV councillor Anna Henry, Mid and East Antrim, warns women face years of chronic pain awaiting first gynaecology specialist appointments, citing June 2025 figures showing over 14,000 waiting in the South Eastern Trust and wait times near two years, and calls for urgent investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health June 2025 gynaecology outpatient waiting list figures Original release: Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a single Irish state offers the strongest chance to unlock a New Ireland’s economic potential, unveiling the ‘Success by Design’ paper with proposals for an all‑island infrastructure fund, stronger rail links, skills alignment and a Ministry for a New Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Launch of SDLP Success by Design policy paper Original release: SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister commends healthcare staff working to reduce waiting lists
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes the latest waiting list figures, citing a fall of over 15,000 patients awaiting first outpatient appointments and 7,316 fewer waiting for inpatient or day case admission. He commends healthcare staff and expects further improvement from the Elective Care…
Health Issue: Latest hospital waiting list figures for outpatient appointments Original release: Health Minister commends healthcare staff working to reduce waiting lists (opens in a new tab)
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No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the Environment Minister's Assembly update on stronger wastewater pollution rules, including tougher fines, ending NI Water's licence to pollute and stricter discharge consent standards. He urges Executive approval and urgent Infrastructure…
Environment and climate Issue: Environment Minister's Assembly update on wastewater pollution measures Original release: No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations (opens in a new tab)