Latest releases
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2,486 releases
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Protecting health and protecting rights must go hand in hand - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Health Minister's decision to drop the Public Health Bill, saying the draft proposals amounted to an overreach that risked giving the Department of Health sweeping powers without democratic oversight. She says any future framework should be…
Health Issue: Health Minister drops Public Health Bill plans Original release: Protecting health and protecting rights must go hand in hand - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe: NI Health Funds Should Benefit NI Patients
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe questions the Department of Health's oversight of over £125 million in university fees for medical and health degrees over three years. She says that graduates face no obligation to work in Northern Ireland and calls on the Health Minister to require funded…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health spending on medical student university fees Original release: Forsythe: NI Health Funds Should Benefit NI Patients (opens in a new tab)
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Tánaiste U-turn on Chaotic Asylum Process Long Over Due – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, Meath West TD, says Tánaiste Simon Harris's asylum process statement is a U-turn that admits government error, and cites parliamentary question figures on accommodation, backlogs, appeal times, deportations and undocumented arrivals at Dublin Airport.
Immigration Housing Issue: Tánaiste Simon Harris asylum process statement U-turn Original release: Tánaiste U-turn on Chaotic Asylum Process Long Over Due – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Allister welcomes UFU rebuke of DAERA
TUV leader Jim Allister MP welcomes the Ulster Farmers' Union's no confidence motion against the agriculture department DAERA and its minister, saying it matches anger across the farming community. He accuses Minister Muir of failure over nutrient action, ammonia, TB and net zero policy and calls…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Ulster Farmers' Union no confidence vote in DAERA Original release: Allister welcomes UFU rebuke of DAERA (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn calls for the Department of Justice and Justice Minister to commission a full review of fireworks laws after footage showed a family dog suffering a stroke and being put to sleep. He says the 2002 regulations are outdated and urges limits on private use, stricter…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Fireworks law review call after family dog's death Original release: Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death (opens in a new tab)
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Blair: Minister Muir has a duty to everyone in Northern Ireland
Alliance DAERA spokesperson John Blair MLA says Minister Andrew Muir must protect the environment for everyone in Northern Ireland, responding to the Ulster Farmers' Union's no confidence vote in the department. He calls the move counterproductive and urges the UFU to work with DAERA on solutions.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Ulster Farmers' Union no confidence vote in DAERA Original release: Blair: Minister Muir has a duty to everyone in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald to speak in Westville Hotel at rural healthcare in a new Ireland event
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen announces that party leader Mary Lou McDonald TD will speak at a Commission on the Future of Ireland event on rural health and care in Enniskillen's Westville Hotel on 26 November. Tickets are now available.
Health Constitutional affairs Original release: Mary Lou McDonald to speak in Westville Hotel at rural healthcare in a new Ireland event (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew comments on changes to how social homes are funded
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says changes to social housing funding must be consulted on and delivered with housing providers, after the Communities Minister announced a major overhaul of housing association grant rates. He says the changes appear to have been made without consulting housing…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's housing association grant rate overhaul Original release: Gildernew comments on changes to how social homes are funded (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Cut to Housing Association funding will deliver fewer homes
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says a cut to Housing Association grant, from 54% to 46% of build cost, will lead to fewer homes. He criticises Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for failing to consult the sector.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's housing association grant rate overhaul Original release: Durkan: Cut to Housing Association funding will deliver fewer homes (opens in a new tab)
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Green Councillor Calls for Native Replanting and Community Involvement After Tree Loss in Holywood
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall calls on Ards and North Down Council to commit to native-species replanting along King John's Walk in Holywood after several mature trees were felled. She also urges better resident communication and involvement in management plans.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: King John's Walk Holywood tree felling and replanting Original release: Green Councillor Calls for Native Replanting and Community Involvement After Tree Loss in Holywood (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says a Audit Office report confirms concerns that the Department for Economy's energy strategy is falling short, and calls for a revision of Northern Ireland's 2030 climate targets, citing grid connection delays, planning delays and the lack of a storage strategy.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Confidence in the Belfast Trust must be restored urgently, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Belfast Trust must urgently rebuild staff confidence after a Health Committee session on a report into culture and oversight in its Cardiac Unit. She calls for whistleblowing reform and a statutory candour duty, and welcomes the new Trust…
Health Issue: Belfast Trust performance accountability report publication Original release: Confidence in the Belfast Trust must be restored urgently, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan comments on Belfast Trust report
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes publication of a report on the Belfast Trust, commissioned after the trust's performance accountability process was raised to Level 5. He says serious issues remain unresolved in the cardiac surgery unit and will scrutinise the recommendations in full.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust performance accountability report publication Original release: McGuigan comments on Belfast Trust report (opens in a new tab)
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Independent environmental regulator crucial in helping us tackle pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan welcomes Environment Minister Andrew Muir's intention to create an independent environmental regulator, following an independent report on environmental governance, and says it would help tackle pollution in air, water and Lough Neagh.
Environment and climate Issue: Expert panel report recommending independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland Original release: Independent environmental regulator crucial in helping us tackle pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Immense potential for development of All Island Healthcare discussed at Good Friday Agreement Committee – Pat Cullen MP
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says an all-island, centrally funded healthcare model is a party priority, after a Good Friday Agreement Committee session on all-island healthcare with academic witnesses. She backs a call for data-led research to integrate services across both jurisdictions.
Health Issue: Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee session on all-island healthcare Original release: Immense potential for development of All Island Healthcare discussed at Good Friday Agreement Committee – Pat Cullen MP (opens in a new tab)
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Cameron – HMOs are reshaping communities
South Antrim DUP MLA Pam Cameron welcomes the Communities Minister's statement on tightening HMO oversight, urging councils to use their 2016 Act powers consistently. She also flags around 250 HMOs used by MEARS for asylum seekers and refugees, and backs the minister's push to extend Right to Rent…
Housing Local government Issue: Communities Minister's statement on HMO enforcement and licensing Original release: Cameron – HMOs are reshaping communities (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin committed to building cleaner, greener environment – Sheerin
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Economy Department's pledge to meet its energy targets after an Audit Office report on its green energy strategy. She urges all parties to redouble efforts on climate goals, pointing to REPG price guarantees and a forthcoming mid-term review.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Sinn Féin committed to building cleaner, greener environment – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Report exposes shocking lack of delivery on energy and climate commitments
SDLP Opposition Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA says a Audit Office report finds the Department for the Economy is lagging on its Path to Net Zero Energy strategy despite £107 million spent since 2020, citing flaws in governance, milestones and monitoring.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: McLaughlin: Report exposes shocking lack of delivery on energy and climate commitments (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Minister can’t pass the buck on HMOs
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to legislate on houses in multiple occupation, including licensing, enforcement and limiting over-concentration, rather than writing to councils reminding them of their obligations.
Housing Local government Issue: Communities Minister's statement on HMO enforcement and licensing Original release: Durkan: Minister can’t pass the buck on HMOs (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes report recommending establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes an expert panel report recommending an independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland, and urges others to back its 32 recommendations without delay.
Environment and climate Issue: Expert panel report recommending independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland Original release: Blair welcomes report recommending establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency (opens in a new tab)