Latest releases
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3,215 releases
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Dodds: Children’s Safety Must Come Before Political Ideology
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the UK Medicines Authority’s move to halt the King’s College puberty‑blocker study, saying it underlines the need for safeguarding vulnerable children and criticises other parties for putting ideology ahead of safety.
Health Issue: UK Medicines Authority pauses King’s College puberty blocker trial Original release: Dodds: Children’s Safety Must Come Before Political Ideology (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein Double Standards Laid Bare
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell says Mary Lou McDonald's remarks calling IRA figure Brian McFarlane's life "well lived" expose a double standard, contrasting them with criticism of Campbell himself as "obnoxious".
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Mary Lou McDonald remarks on Brian McFarlane's death Original release: Sinn Fein Double Standards Laid Bare (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must provide clarity on future of emergency general surgery at SWAH
Sinn Féin representatives joined a Stormont protest by Save Our Acute Services over the withdrawal of emergency surgery from South West Acute Hospital in 2022. Pat Cullen MP calls the continuing lack of clarity unacceptable, while Jemma Dolan MLA urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to set a…
Health Issue: Save Our Acute Services Stormont protest over SWAH surgery Original release: Health Minister must provide clarity on future of emergency general surgery at SWAH (opens in a new tab)
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Sectarian Attack Doesn't Represent People of Derry
People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin says a sectarian assault on a young man in Derry, reportedly targeted because he was perceived to be Protestant, does not represent the city. He condemns sectarianism, accuses political forces of stoking it, and sends solidarity to the victim.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Derry sectarian assault on young man reported Original release: Sectarian Attack Doesn't Represent People of Derry (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP backs SOAS Stormont protest
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath, speaking after attending a Save Our Acute Services protest at Stormont, says Fermanagh residents are angered by losing surgical cover at the South West Acute Hospital and calls for the Health Minister and Western Trust to revisit the situation.
Health Issue: Save Our Acute Services Stormont protest over SWAH surgery Original release: SDLP backs SOAS Stormont protest (opens in a new tab)
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MLAs Pay Rise: Immoral, Unjustified, and an Insult to Every Worker and Vulnerable Child
Aontú calls the proposed 27% MLA pay rise immoral and unjustifiable, contrasting it with 3–5% increases for teachers, nurses and other public sector workers. It also demands the rise be stopped immediately, citing SEND and EA transport cuts.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: MLAs Pay Rise: Immoral, Unjustified, and an Insult to Every Worker and Vulnerable Child (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Slams Sinn Fein Tribute to Bayardo Bar Attacker as “Insult to Victims”
TUV deputy leader Councillor Ron McDowell condemns Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald's social media tribute to Brendan McFarlane, calling it insulting to victims of the Bayardo Bar attack and saying Sinn Fein are unfit for government.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Sinn Fein leader's tribute to Brendan McFarlane on social media Original release: TUV Slams Sinn Fein Tribute to Bayardo Bar Attacker as “Insult to Victims” (opens in a new tab)
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Consistency needed in BBC coverage - Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell acknowledges a BBC Northern Ireland apology over an inaccurate reference on Good Morning Ulster to the Kingsmill massacre, but says his complaint concerns wider editorial fairness. He argues the BBC should apply context to events consistently, citing its Bloody Sunday…
Community relations and legacy Issue: BBC Northern Ireland apology over Kingsmill massacre coverage on Good Morning Ulster Original release: Consistency needed in BBC coverage - Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Plaque unveiling important day for historical institutional abuse victims
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin describes the Stormont unveiling of a plaque recognising historical institutional abuse victims as poignant and overdue. She says the full Hart inquiry recommendations and compensation from responsible organisations are still outstanding, nearly a decade on.
Community relations and legacy Issue: Stormont plaque unveiling for historical institutional abuse victims Original release: McLaughlin: Plaque unveiling important day for historical institutional abuse victims (opens in a new tab)
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New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the new Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care, due to start on 1 April, but says only a statutory duty of candour will guarantee the openness and transparency the service needs.
Health Issue: Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care publication Original release: New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds says Health Minister's position on the puberty blocker trial defies logic, accusing the Ulster Unionist Party of reversing its support within 24 hours. She calls for the trial to be permanently ended, not just paused.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently… (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the First Minister's reply to her Question Time question on veterans was dismissive and offensive. She calls for devolved services such as housing, health and employment support to better recognise the barriers veterans and their families face from repeated deployments and…
Health Issue: First Minister's Question Time reply on veterans support Original release: Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support (opens in a new tab)
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Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says the lack of accurate, consistent mental‑health data in the north hampers service planning and delivery, and calls for a single, standardised data system to help health trusts better plan and support those in need.
Health Issue: Sinn Féin motion for single mental health data system Original release: Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Sexual crimes during the Troubles must be addressed in the Legacy Bill
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA says he will table a motion on 17 February urging the Government to add sexual crimes as a specific criterion in the Legacy Commission Bill’s Troubles investigation, and calls on the First and Deputy First Minister to back it.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy Commission Bill – inclusion of sexual crimes Original release: Sexual crimes during the Troubles must be addressed in the Legacy Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers
TUV equality spokeswoman Ann McClure welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's reversal on Northern Ireland's role in the puberty blocker trial but says he must explain how the decision was made and reversed. Party colleague Timothy Gaston is seeking an urgent Assembly answer from the Minister, and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers (opens in a new tab)
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PEACEPLUS funding from Brussels must be safeguarded – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes urges the EU to keep PEACEPLUS funding in place beyond 2027, after a Joint Committee briefing revealed no guaranteed Brussels allocation despite the programme continuing.
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Peace Plus funding beyond current programme period after EU extension proposal Original release: PEACEPLUS funding from Brussels must be safeguarded – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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British government delay to Pat Finucane Inquiry ‘inexcusable’ – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey calls on the British government to publish the final Terms of Reference for the Pat Finucane Inquiry so it can begin, after Geraldine Finucane appealed for publication. Hargey accuses London of stalling and delaying on truth and justice for the family.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Pat Finucane Inquiry Terms of Reference publication delay Original release: British government delay to Pat Finucane Inquiry ‘inexcusable’ – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh councillor Adam Gannon says it is unacceptable that Fermanagh patients face up to 90-minute emergency journeys to Altnagelvin, citing an Assembly answer from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt showing a 2025 average of 1 hour 26 minutes. He calls for immediate local provision…
Health Issue: South West Acute Hospital emergency general surgery removal patient journey times Original release: Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: FM and DFM cannot override wishes of victims
SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin says the First Minister and deputy First Minister were wrong to seek changes to wording on a memorial plaque for historical and institutional abuse victims. She calls for them to clarify who drove the proposal to remove references to "the state".
Community relations and legacy Issue: Memorial plaque wording change for historical institutional abuse victims Original release: McLaughlin: FM and DFM cannot override wishes of victims (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds welcomes the ADHD Needs Assessment Report and its proposals for a commissioned ADHD service across Northern Ireland. He calls on the Minister to act on the recommendations and deliver the support people with the condition need.
Health Disability and equality Issue: ADHD Needs Assessment Report publication and commissioned service proposals Original release: Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report (opens in a new tab)