Latest releases
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3,735 releases
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O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says a bitter DUP-Sinn Féin clash at the Executive Office Committee drew attention from the Department of Finance confirmation that civil servants' pay settlement cannot reach Christmas wages because no Budget has been agreed, calling on Ministers to…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Civil service pay settlement missing Christmas wages due to no Budget Original release: O'Toole: DUP/SF mudslinging distracting from Christmas pay scandal (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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Eastwood backs home carers amid rising pressures
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood backs home carers ahead of a Unison-organised public meeting in Derry, calling on Stormont to deliver the promised real living wage and help carers with rising fuel costs.
Economy and employment Health Issue: Stormont brake request on EU goods regulations Original release: Eastwood backs home carers amid rising pressures (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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McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools
SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid criticises Education Authority guidance telling pupils to dress warmer in schools amid high energy costs, linking it to cuts and crumbling school buildings. She raised the issue at a Derry City and Strabane council committee.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority "wear more clothes" energy cost advice to schools Original release: McDaid slams ‘wear more clothes’ advice in schools (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: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath accuses the Executive of drawing health workers into a dispute with Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant over pay, after the BMA confirmed further doctors' strike action in November. He says the Executive should stop trading blame and act for patients and staff.
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA resident, consultant and SAS doctors strike action announcement November 2026 Original release: McGrath: Our Doctors and Nurses Are Not Pawns in a Political Game (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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British government making a political choice not to properly fund the north – O’Dowd
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd says the British budget on Wednesday will not break from past approaches, arguing the Executive is underfunded because of political choices, not a lack of money. He calls for public sector pay rises and for banks and oil and gas firms' profits to be taxed.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: British government budget and Executive funding for Northern Ireland Original release: British government making a political choice not to properly fund the north – O’Dowd (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Home Care Workers Can No Longer be Ignored
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says he spoke at a UNISON public meeting backing home care workers, citing low wages, wage theft and poor conditions in the private sector. He calls on workers to join the trade union and urges Stormont to pass the Good Jobs Bill.
Economy and employment Health Issue: UNISON public meeting for home care workers, Waterfoot Hotel Original release: Harkin: Home Care Workers Can No Longer be Ignored (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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Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland
UUP MP Robin Swann writes to the Chancellor urging HM Treasury to consider abolishing or substantially, gradually reducing Air Passenger Duty for flights from Northern Ireland airports ahead of the Budget, arguing Dublin Airport gains a competitive edge.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Air Passenger Duty reform for Northern Ireland airports ahead of Budget Original release: Swann calls on Treasury to scrap Air Passenger Duty in Northern Ireland (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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John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate
Alliance MLA John Blair has been selected to stand for Alliance in South Antrim at the 2027 Assembly election, pledging better rural facilities, lower living costs, animal welfare, environmental protection and cuts to health waiting lists.
Other Health Issue: John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate Original release: John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: DUP Incitement of Sectarian Tensions Must be Challenged
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says sectarian attacks on young people in Belfast must be condemned, and accuses the DUP of inflaming sectarian and racist tensions to deflect from its political crisis, linking this to Stormont cuts and housing failures.
Community relations and legacy Economy and employment Original release: Harkin: DUP Incitement of Sectarian Tensions Must be Challenged (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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Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA welcomes the Biomethane Strategy consultation, six months after an Assembly motion she says called for one, and sets out three tests the strategy must meet. These include a stable, inflation-proofed support mechanism, planning and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Biomethane Strategy consultation launch Original release: Armstrong: Biomethane consultation must deliver what the Assembly already voted for (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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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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Allen calls for longer term action on cost of living pressures ahead of UK Budget
UUP MLA Andy Allen calls for further targeted cost of living support from the UK Budget, and for longer-term measures on energy efficiency and fuel poverty, after a Northern Ireland Assembly motion on the cost of living.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly cost of living motion ahead of UK Budget Original release: Allen calls for longer term action on cost of living pressures ahead of UK Budget (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 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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Armstrong: Farmers squeezed from both ends as UFU survey lays bare inheritance tax damage
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA backs the Ulster Farmers' Union's call to reverse inheritance tax changes in the Autumn Budget, citing a UFU survey finding over four in ten farm businesses have cut investment. She also criticises Stormont's farm capital…
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Ulster Farmers' Union survey on inheritance tax impact on farms Original release: Armstrong: Farmers squeezed from both ends as UFU survey lays bare inheritance tax damage (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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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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Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says he will vote against the Education Minister's amendments to the Holiday Meal Payments Bill at Further Consideration Stage and back the Education Committee's amendments, so payments are never below a school dinner's cost.
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill Further Consideration Stage amendments Original release: Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)