Latest releases
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4,736 releases
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Mathison urges Education and Health Ministers to act urgently to save Summer schemes at special schools
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison calls on the Education and Health Ministers to urgently secure a joint funding package so summer schemes can run in special schools this year, after the Education Authority cancelled schemes over healthcare concerns.
Education Health Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Mathison urges Education and Health Ministers to act urgently to save Summer schemes at special schools (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly: Executive must provide clarity on Altnagelvin Hospital ED redevelopment
SDLP Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly says the Executive must provide clarity on the Altnagelvin Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed full works would cost £72.8m and depend on a multi-year budget and a 10-year capital plan.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Altnagelvin Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment cost and funding dependency Original release: Reilly: Executive must provide clarity on Altnagelvin Hospital ED redevelopment (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna raises violence against women and girls in House of Commons
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP used Northern Ireland Questions in the Commons to press for stronger action on violence against women and girls, citing recent killings and a murder conviction and urging the Executive and UK Government to act beyond expressions of concern.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Hanna raises violence against women and girls in House of Commons (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Public deserve to know money wasted on free hospital car parking delays
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the public should be informed of the expense incurred by the Executive’s repeated postponements of free hospital car parking, and notes an amendment obliges the Health Department to issue a cost report.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Delays to free hospital car parking implementation Original release: McGrath: Public deserve to know money wasted on free hospital car parking delays (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to tackle spiralling rents across NI, says Armstrong
Alliance Housing spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA calls on the Communities Minister to act urgently on spiralling private rents, citing a report that rents rose an average of 51% over five years. She urges restrictions on rent increase frequency, a ban on inflation-busting hikes and a cap on…
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Reported rise in Northern Ireland rents over five years Original release: Urgent action needed to tackle spiralling rents across NI, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister Can't Be Trusted on Extent of Defective Block in Derry
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin accuses Communities Minister Gordon Lyons of dismissing a wider defective block problem in the North too readily, and says the Derry and Strabane council area's full extent remains unknown. He calls for assurances of government support for potentially…
Housing Local government Issue: Communities Minister comments on defective block extent in Derry and Strabane Original release: Communities Minister Can't Be Trusted on Extent of Defective Block in Derry (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes progress on delivering Sign Language Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes progress on the Sign Language Bill after it was approved at Consideration Stage. He says the Bill is an important step towards giving the deaf and deafblind community access to public services in their own language, and praises their input into shaping it.
Disability and equality Issue: Sign Language Bill approval at Consideration Stage Original release: Gildernew welcomes progress on delivering Sign Language Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister must drive down ‘out of control’ rent prices – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to act on rising rents after new figures showed average rents continuing to climb. He says the minister has failed to buy any of the 600 homes funded for temporary accommodation and should prioritise delivering social and…
Housing Issue: New figures showing continued rise in average rents Original release: Communities Minister must drive down ‘out of control’ rent prices – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan criticises DUP for ignoring scientific evidence in blocking Minimum Unit Pricing
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan criticises the DUP for blocking Minimum Unit Pricing legislation for alcohol despite scientific and medical evidence. He says MUP targets the cheapest, strongest drinks and calls it a missed opportunity to save lives.
Health Issue: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol blocked in Executive Original release: McGuigan criticises DUP for ignoring scientific evidence in blocking Minimum Unit Pricing (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to host United Ireland public meeting in Cork City – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion announces a public meeting in Cork on 8 May at the Clayton Hotel to discuss what a United Ireland should look like. She calls for EU institutions to engage with the Irish unity debate and to set out what supports they could offer after any successful referendum.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Sinn Féin to host United Ireland public meeting in Cork City – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Gerry Carroll’s People's Housing Bill: the Tenant Protections Stormont Refuses to Deliver
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll says Belfast rents have jumped over 50% in five years, leaving tenants vulnerable to evictions and disrepair. He announces a private members People’s Housing Bill to cut rents and ban no‑fault evictions, calling for urgent action on the housing crisis.
Housing Issue: Belfast rents rise faster than any other UK city Original release: Gerry Carroll’s People's Housing Bill: the Tenant Protections Stormont Refuses to Deliver (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin publishes plan for new cancer strategy to tackle slipping standards – David Cullinane TD
Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane TD publishes a discussion paper with 42 recommendations for a new cancer strategy, urging a guaranteed €30 million annual fund, targeted investment to end postcode‑lottery access, equipment upgrades and extended service hours.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Sinn Féin publishes plan for new cancer strategy to tackle slipping standards – David Cullinane TD (opens in a new tab)
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We must continue working to strengthen relations with Europe – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson says the recent Brussels visit by junior ministers Aisling Reilly and Joanne Bunting helped deepen EU ties, highlighting funding, student schemes and all‑island economic growth, and pledges Sinn Féin will continue building relationships and pursue a united‑Ireland path –
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: Junior Ministers' Brussels visit to strengthen EU relations Original release: We must continue working to strengthen relations with Europe – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: DUP block on MUP will have serious consequences for public health
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says a DUP veto blocking minimum unit pricing for alcohol will seriously harm public health, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed the legislation cannot be brought forward this mandate. He urges the DUP to explain its change of position…
Health Issue: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol blocked in Executive Original release: McGrath: DUP block on MUP will have serious consequences for public health (opens in a new tab)
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Political failure on Minimum Unit Pricing will be measured in lives lost
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says the Executive's failure to pass Minimum Unit Pricing on alcohol is a missed opportunity to save lives and reduce harm. He accuses the DUP of using its Executive veto to block progress and calls for an explanation of its change of position.
Health Issue: Minimum unit pricing for alcohol blocked in Executive Original release: Political failure on Minimum Unit Pricing will be measured in lives lost (opens in a new tab)
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Crisis in endometriosis care must be addressed immediately – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn, Chair of the Women's Health APG, calls for urgent action on endometriosis care after an event at Stormont and a report published today. She calls for fully resourced gynaecology services, faster referral pathways and better training, and says she will press the Health…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Endometriosis report published March 2026 calling for urgent action on care Original release: Crisis in endometriosis care must be addressed immediately – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly welcomes investment in Irish language projects
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes over £4 million of Irish government investment in Irish language projects in the north, part of a £5 million Shared Island Initiative package for cultural and community development.
Disability and equality Issue: Irish government Shared Island Irish language investment package Original release: Reilly welcomes investment in Irish language projects (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach should lead, not hinder as Irish unity momentum grows stronger – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD criticises Taoiseach Micheál Martin over remarks in a recent podcast interview on Irish unity, claiming his approach shows hesitation and a refusal to lead. She calls for planning and a roadmap for unity and says the Shared Island initiative is no substitute…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach's podcast remarks on Irish unity Original release: Taoiseach should lead, not hinder as Irish unity momentum grows stronger – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Campbell welcomes NIHE events to tackle underrepresentation in…
DUP MP Gregory Campbell welcomes two Housing Executive 'meet the employer' events in Londonderry and Coleraine aimed at communities underrepresented in its workforce, particularly Protestants. He says the events are a welcome start but will not solve a long-standing problem.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Issue: NIHE 'meet the employer' events in Londonderry and Coleraine Original release: Campbell welcomes NIHE events to tackle underrepresentation in… (opens in a new tab)
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New Figures demonstrate that the Windsor Framework is Broken, says Jim Allister
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says new NISRA trade figures for 2024 show the Windsor Framework is broken, with trade diversion away from Great Britain and a real-terms cut in GB purchases. He calls on the UK Government to implement the Framework's safeguarding provisions, citing newer border measures…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: NISRA 2024 trade figures published on Windsor Framework trade diversion Original release: New Figures demonstrate that the Windsor Framework is Broken, says Jim Allister (opens in a new tab)