Latest releases
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3,723 releases
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Minister Nesbitt announces Cancer Charities Grant Scheme recipients
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announces that 16 cancer service charities will share funding from the Cancer Charities Grant Scheme, jointly backed by his department and Macmillan, to deliver local support such as mental health help, rehabilitation and transport.
Health Issue: Cancer Charities Grant Scheme recipients announced Original release: Minister Nesbitt announces Cancer Charities Grant Scheme recipients (opens in a new tab)
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Decision on illegal terrorist statue underscores double standards
TUV deputy leader and Belfast councillor Ron McDowell condemns Belfast City Council's decision to take no action over an unauthorised statue of Bobby Sands, claiming it shows double standards compared with council removal of Union Flags.
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Belfast City Council decision not to act on Bobby Sands statue Original release: Decision on illegal terrorist statue underscores double standards (opens in a new tab)
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Bobby Sands statue is symptom of a society dragged back to Troubles legacy every day
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA says the illegally erected Bobby Sands statue is a symptom of wider problems, arguing society is dragged back to Troubles legacy daily through media, social media and politicians. He says there are more memorials to perpetrators than victims and calls…
Community relations and legacy Issue: Illegally erected Bobby Sands statue Original release: Bobby Sands statue is symptom of a society dragged back to Troubles legacy every day (opens in a new tab)
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No one should be above the planning process, says Nelson
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Sam Nelson says everyone must be subject to planning rules, following a council decision not to enforce against a Bobby Sands statue erected on public land in west Belfast without permission. He calls for equal enforcement across all cases and seeks clarity on how…
Local government Community relations and legacy Issue: Belfast City Council decision not to act on Bobby Sands statue Original release: No one should be above the planning process, says Nelson (opens in a new tab)
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Gary Middleton Steps Back from Public Life to Focus on Health
DUP MLA Gary Middleton announces he is resigning his Foyle seat at the Assembly tomorrow, citing mental health challenges and the need to focus on recovery. DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP thanks him and pays tribute to his service.
Health Issue: Gary Middleton resignation from Foyle Assembly seat Original release: Gary Middleton Steps Back from Public Life to Focus on Health (opens in a new tab)
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McAleer welcomes reconvening of Curraghinalt Goldmine Public Inquiry
West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer welcomes the resumption of the Curraghinalt goldmine inquiry in Omagh next Monday after a 15-month break, saying it offers local people a chance to be heard. He calls for the process to move forward without further delay toward a timely conclusion.
Environment and climate Issue: Curraghinalt goldmine public inquiry resumption in Omagh Original release: McAleer welcomes reconvening of Curraghinalt Goldmine Public Inquiry (opens in a new tab)
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Why did Unionists permit the Northern Ireland Executive X account to be used to promote Republican terrorism?
TUV leader Jim Allister MP asks who approved an Executive Office X post highlighting Michelle O'Neill's attendance at a Dublin Easter Rising commemoration, and whether it will be removed. He says Unionists in government must explain their role in allowing the account to be used this way.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Issue: Northern Ireland Executive X post on Michelle O'Neill's Easter Rising attendance Original release: Why did Unionists permit the Northern Ireland Executive X account to be used to promote Republican terrorism? (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Patients still waiting far too long for cancer treatment
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says latest cancer waiting time statistics show only 29.5% starting treatment within the 62-day target, and criticises the Health Minister's claims of progress and the use of £73.5 million of cancer capacity funding to offset a department…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Latest cancer waiting time statistics for 62-day treatment target Original release: McGrath: Patients still waiting far too long for cancer treatment (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister's Regional Plan Delivers 46% Increase in Breast Cancer Assessments – Chambers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes figures showing a 46% rise in patients seen by breast cancer specialists after urgent referrals in the quarter ending December 2025, up from 2,699 to 3,902. He credits Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's regional breast assessment scheme and welcomes…
Health Issue: Breast cancer urgent referral waiting time statistics published April 2026 Original release: Health Minister's Regional Plan Delivers 46% Increase in Breast Cancer Assessments – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Wildfires Plan will protect communities, nature and the Mournes, says McMurray
Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray calls the Wildfires Action Plan to 2030, published by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, a timely intervention for the countryside after around 200 wildfires. He highlights rewetting peatlands and the Wildfire Recovery Project led by the Pau Costa Foundation in at-risk areas…
Environment and climate Issue: Wildfires Action Plan to 2030 publication by DAERA Original release: Wildfires Plan will protect communities, nature and the Mournes, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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Breast cancer patients being badly let down by DoH, says McAllister
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister accuses the Department of Health of failing breast cancer patients after figures showed only 6% of urgent suspected-cancer referrals were seen within 14 days. She urges the Health Minister to set out a workforce and capacity plan rather than publicising his own record.
Health Issue: Breast cancer urgent referral waiting time statistics published April 2026 Original release: Breast cancer patients being badly let down by DoH, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin submits recommendations for new Cancer Strategy to Minister for Health – David Cullinane TD
Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane TD says the party has sent the Health Minister 42 recommendations for a new cancer strategy, citing regional access gaps, scanner and bed shortfalls, and calling for ringfenced funding and all-island cooperation.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Sinn Féin submission of recommendations for new cancer strategy Original release: Sinn Féin submits recommendations for new Cancer Strategy to Minister for Health – David Cullinane TD (opens in a new tab)
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Barr welcomes Council Motion on women’s health and praises Minister Nesbitt’s clear action plan for Gynaecology services
UUP Councillor Alan Barr welcomes Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's motion on women's health after Endometriosis Awareness Month and praises Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's £3.5 million ring-fenced gynaecology plan, with targets of a 40% waiting list cut by March 2027.
Health Local government Issue: Mid and East Antrim Council women's health motion on gynaecology waiting lists Original release: Barr welcomes Council Motion on women’s health and praises Minister Nesbitt’s clear action plan for Gynaecology services (opens in a new tab)
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Victims' Payments must be determined consistently, not based on how threats were communicated, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says victims' payments for Troubles-era death threats must be determined clearly and consistently, not depending on whether the threat was communicated directly or via police. She calls for equal treatment and an end to bureaucratic…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Victims' Payments must be determined consistently, not based on how threats were communicated, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Brett welcomes conviction of Glengormley Arch attacker
North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett welcomes the conviction of an individual for sectarian vandalism of Glengormley's Orange Arch, commending Newtownabbey PSNI and warning others against similar vandalism in Glengormley town centre.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Glengormley Orange Arch sectarian vandalism conviction and sentencing Original release: Brett welcomes conviction of Glengormley Arch attacker (opens in a new tab)
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Silence around murder of Glenn Quinn must be broken: Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson urges anyone holding details of Glenn Quinn's killing, or of ongoing threats against his mother and brother, to step forward, after PSNI warned the family of a planned violent attack. He says information can be given anonymously to police or Crimestoppers.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: PSNI threat warning to Glenn Quinn's family Original release: Silence around murder of Glenn Quinn must be broken: Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Ministers must work together to deliver special school summer schemes
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA calls on the Health and Education Ministers to cooperate and restore the cancelled special school summer schemes, urging the Executive to provide nursing support and reverse the decision.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: McGrath: Ministers must work together to deliver special school summer schemes (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance in bid to recall Assembly over cancellation of special school summer schemes
Alliance's Eóin Tennyson, Deputy Leader, says his party has submitted a petition to recall the Assembly over the Education Authority's decision to cancel summer schemes at special schools. He calls on the Education and Health Ministers to return and set out how they will fix the problem.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Alliance in bid to recall Assembly over cancellation of special school summer schemes (opens in a new tab)
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OVER £17 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO CONTRACTOR FOR MATERNITY…
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says £17.4 million in extension-of-time payments to the contractor for the new Maternity Hospital in Belfast is public money requiring prudence, and warns the Children's Hospital project may face further costs after £1.4 million in similar payments.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Ministerial replies on Maternity Hospital contractor extension-of-time costs Original release: OVER £17 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO CONTRACTOR FOR MATERNITY… (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan calls on Health Minister to review funding process for Women’s Aid
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan asks the Health Minister to revisit the withdrawn core grant for Women's Aid, which he says was cut by half in 2023 and then removed entirely in 2024. He raised it at the Health Committee.
Justice and policing Health Original release: McGuigan calls on Health Minister to review funding process for Women’s Aid (opens in a new tab)