Latest releases
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2,119 releases
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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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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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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)
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McGuigan welcomes delivery of 24/7 thrombectomy service
Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan, North Antrim MLA and health spokesperson, welcomes the rollout of a round-the-clock thrombectomy stroke service across the North, saying patients are already benefiting. He pays tribute to specialist stroke teams and campaigners.
Health Issue: 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service introduction across Northern Ireland Original release: McGuigan welcomes delivery of 24/7 thrombectomy service (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP selects Rebecca Harper for Lagan Valley
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP says Rebecca Harper, selected to contest Lagan Valley at the 2027 Assembly election, has the energy and determination to help the SDLP win the seat again. Harper, a childcare campaigner and Melted Parents NI co-founder, says she will campaign on affordable childcare and…
Other Issue: SDLP selects Rebecca Harper for Lagan Valley 2027 Assembly election Original release: SDLP selects Rebecca Harper for Lagan Valley (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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We Need An All-Island Health Configuration
People Before Profit's Marc Mac Seáin, Newry and Armagh representative, praises campaigners behind a Daisy Hill hospital public meeting and calls for an all-island health configuration, revoking the Bengoa Report, and a health minister committed to cross-border service planning, urging a mass…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services suspension Original release: We Need An All-Island Health Configuration (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 6 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer patients need timely care and clear action on waiting times – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee Chair Philip McGuigan calls for clear targets, delivery dates and regular reporting to urgently cut cancer assessment and treatment waiting times, urging the Minister to match his acknowledgement with concrete action.
Health Original release: Cancer patients need timely care and clear action on waiting times – McGuigan (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 Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh
The SDLP announces that Councillor Pete Byrne has been selected by party members to contest Newry and Armagh at the 2027 Assembly election. Byrne pledges to champion fighting for Daisy Hill, local businesses and infrastructure, and Leader Claire Hanna praises his experience.
Other Local government Issue: SDLP selection of Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh 2027 Assembly election Original release: SDLP selects Pete Byrne for Newry and Armagh (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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Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee Chair Philip McGuigan welcomes the confirmed expansion of bowel cancer screening to younger people from November, saying earlier detection can save lives. He says full coverage for those aged 50 and over will not arrive until 2031 and will keep pressing for it…
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan (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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Butler announces major expansion of bowel cancer screening programme
UUP Health Minister Robbie Butler announces a phased widening of bowel cancer screening invitations, starting with those aged 59 from 2 November 2026, 58-year-olds from April 2027, and full eligibility for ages 50 to 74 by 2031.
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: Butler announces major expansion of bowel cancer screening programme (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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McAllister welcomes expansion of bowel cancer screening, emphasising need to ensure access to genetic testing as part of preventative approach
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the extension of bowel cancer screening invitations to people aged 59 from November 2026 and 58-year-olds from April 2027. She calls for the phased age reduction to be completed quickly and for wider family access to genetic testing.
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: McAllister welcomes expansion of bowel cancer screening, emphasising need to ensure access to genetic testing as part of preventative approach (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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The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the DUP and Sinn Féin benefit from community division over the Drumcree-linked Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road, claiming it distracts from hospital closures, housing and cost of living. He calls the decision to allow the march the most destabilising since…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Orange Order application to march down Garvaghy Road Original release: The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme
UUP reports Health Minister Robbie Butler has announced £500,000 to extend the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme for another year, funding voluntary groups to offer free support to people on HSCNI waiting lists. Applications open 25 September 2026 and close 6 November 2026.
Health Issue: Support While Waiting Grant Scheme extension announcement Original release: Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)