Latest releases
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2,622 releases
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Sinn Féin targets Strangford seat as Chris Hazzard selected as candidate for 2027 Assembly election
Sinn Féin says it has selected Chris Hazzard as its candidate for Strangford at the May 2027 Assembly election, presenting the seat as a first chance for a Nationalist MLA after new constituency boundaries. Michelle O'Neill calls the polls the most important in generations.
Other Issue: Chris Hazzard selected as Sinn Féin candidate for Strangford 2027 Original release: Sinn Féin targets Strangford seat as Chris Hazzard selected as candidate for 2027 Assembly election (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Butler thanks ambulance staff ahead of busy winter period
Health Minister Robbie Butler thanks Northern Ireland Ambulance Service staff after visiting its Belfast Integrated Clinical Hub, praising telephone and on-scene treatment models that cut demand on emergency departments before winter. The release cites 2025-26 figures of 44,064 incidents resolved…
Health Original release: Minister Butler thanks ambulance staff ahead of busy winter period (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to target two Assembly seats in South Belfast and Mid Down constituency as Pat Cullen and Deirdre Hargey announced as candidates
Sinn Féin names MLA Deirdre Hargey and MP Pat Cullen as its candidates for the new South Belfast and Mid Down Assembly constituency, aiming to elect two MLAs at the May 2027 poll. Party leader Michelle O'Neill says the pair will bring leadership and experience.
Other Issue: Sinn Féin South Belfast and Mid Down candidate selection 2027 Assembly election Original release: Sinn Féin to target two Assembly seats in South Belfast and Mid Down constituency as Pat Cullen and Deirdre Hargey announced as candidates (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Disparity for Derry. No New A&E at Altnagelvin.
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says the Health Minister's decision not to build a new Altnagelvin Emergency Department shows regional disparity against Derry and the North West. He announces a Guildhall deputation on 26 October by UNISON, UNITE, NIPSA and the RCN on A&E pressures and cuts.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister decision against new Altnagelvin Emergency Department Original release: Disparity for Derry. No New A&E at Altnagelvin. (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 17 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must urgently engage with BMA following announcement of strike action – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to urgently negotiate with the British Medical Association after resident, consultant and SAS doctors announced strike dates on 20 and 23 November. He warns escalation during winter could add pressure on emergency services.
Health Issue: BMA resident, consultant and SAS doctors strike action announcement November 2026 Original release: Health Minister must urgently engage with BMA following announcement of strike action – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sian Mulholland selected as Alliance North Antrim Assembly candidate
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has been chosen to contest the North Antrim seat at the 6 May 2027 Assembly election, saying she will prioritise fighting poverty, easing the cost of living, improving women’s health services, securing affordable homes and reducing energy bills.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Alliance selects North Antrim Assembly candidate Original release: Sian Mulholland selected as Alliance North Antrim Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Doctors strike and nurses ballot highlights failure of Minister to prioritise pay awards, says Nuala McAllister MLA
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the announced BMA strike involving consultants, SAS doctors and resident doctors, plus the Royal College of Nursing's planned ballot of its members, reflects the Health Minister's failure to prioritise pay awards.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA strike announcement and RCN strike ballot in Northern Ireland Original release: Doctors strike and nurses ballot highlights failure of Minister to prioritise pay awards, says Nuala McAllister MLA (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Gerard McDonald as Assembly Candidate for West Belfast
SDLP announces the selection of Gerard McDonald as its candidate for West Belfast at the next Assembly election, with Leader Claire Hanna MP welcoming the choice. McDonald says the Executive has failed to deliver on housing, cost of living and promised change.
Other Housing Issue: SDLP selection of Gerard McDonald for West Belfast Assembly candidacy Original release: SDLP selects Gerard McDonald as Assembly Candidate for West Belfast (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Young voices honour Edgar Graham Legacy in successful Assembly Debate
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA praises the annual Edgar Graham Debate held at Stormont, which drew 20 schools and was organised by the Ulster Women's Unionist Council, describing it as a fitting tribute to Edgar Graham's legacy.
Other Education Original release: Young voices honour Edgar Graham Legacy in successful Assembly Debate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Flexibility, not radio ultimatums, needed to end budget deadlock – Aiken
UUP finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA urges the Secretary of State and Executive to drop public sparring and agree a budget, warning that nurses and health workers face continued pay delays and an RCN ballot on industrial action.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Northern Ireland budget deadlock and health pay award delay Original release: Flexibility, not radio ultimatums, needed to end budget deadlock – Aiken (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Long issues ‘direct call’ to political leaders to agree Cross-Party Compact on health reform
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA urges the leaders of all Assembly parties to forge a joint agreement on health and social care transformation, warning that long waiting lists, missed cancer targets and chronic hospital corridor delays risk total system collapse.
Health Issue: Ten‑year anniversary of the Bengoa report Original release: Long issues ‘direct call’ to political leaders to agree Cross-Party Compact on health reform (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Baby Loss Awareness week opportunity to help break the silence – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan says Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity to help break the silence, after hosting a remembrance event at Stormont. She thanks bereaved families and support organisations and welcomes baby loss certificate legislation, noting over 8,000 certificates have been issued.
Health Original release: Baby Loss Awareness week opportunity to help break the silence – Dolan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan calls for EU ETS agreement with British government to prioritise clarity for the north of Ireland
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan welcomes a preliminary EU-UK deal linking their two Emissions Trading Systems and calls for the final text to prioritise clarity for the north, address overlap and provide guidance for Irish business.
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: EU-UK preliminary deal linking Emissions Trading Systems Original release: Boylan calls for EU ETS agreement with British government to prioritise clarity for the north of Ireland (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister threatens every farmer’s herd over a problem he says is 7%
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA challenges the Agriculture Minister over Belfast Telegraph remarks that about 7% of farmers produce around 70% of phosphorus, and his warning about herd size. She calls for support for the 90% of farmers doing the right thing and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Agriculture Minister's phosphorus remarks and herd size warning in Belfast Telegraph interview Original release: Minister threatens every farmer’s herd over a problem he says is 7% (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 14 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Executive Office must refocus on issues associated with population ageing, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA responds to the Commissioner for Older People's ageing population report, urging the First and deputy First Minister to shift focus to demographic change. She says they have not mentioned issues such as dementia prevalence, social housing…
Health Issue: Commissioner for Older People "Ready or Not" ageing population report Original release: Executive Office must refocus on issues associated with population ageing, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty presents a petition of over 6,500 signatures to the Assembly calling for CAR-T cancer treatment to be available in Northern Ireland. He calls on the Executive to commission a local service and work with the Irish Government on all-island access in the…
Health Issue: CAR-T cancer treatment petition presented to Northern Ireland Assembly Original release: McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath welcomes Newcastle's Bendy Tree being named UK Tree of the Year 2026 by the Woodland Trust, the first Northern Ireland tree to take the award. He has written to Newry, Mourne and Down Council asking for a permanent commemorative plaque beside it.
Environment and climate Issue: Newcastle Bendy Tree named UK Tree of the Year 2026 Original release: McGrath: Newcastle's Bendy Tree Makes History with UK First (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Neurology Services must be properly funded, says McReynolds
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds says £2.3 million in new neurology funding, announced alongside a Neurology Delivery Team, falls far short of the over £65m the Department's Regional Review said is needed. He calls on the Health Minister to act urgently to fully fund neurology services.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister's Neurology Delivery Team and £2.3m funding announcement Original release: Neurology Services must be properly funded, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies
Alliance Belfast Councillor Christine Bower welcomes the committee passage of her motion to make public spaces safer for people with severe allergies, ahead of full council ratification next month. She proposes child-friendly hand-washing signage at play parks, better-placed waste bins, staff…
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on safer public spaces for severe allergies Original release: Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Ratcliffe supports Ladies with Letters’ demand for truth and accountability
TUV Councillor Keith Ratcliffe backs Ladies with Letters' call for an independent statutory public inquiry into the cervical screening scandal, after letters were delivered to MLAs at Stormont. He urges the Health Minister to reverse the May refusal of an inquiry.
Health Issue: Ladies with Letters cervical screening inquiry demand at Stormont Original release: Ratcliffe supports Ladies with Letters’ demand for truth and accountability (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)