Latest releases
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2,626 releases
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Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says the party remains committed to planting more trees, after DAERA Minister Andrew Muir announced a Tree Planting Action Plan at a Woodland Trust event launching a report on Northern Ireland's woods and trees.
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Planting Action Plan announcement at Woodland Trust State of Woods and Trees report launch Original release: Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to visit Dungannon respite facility
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Health Minister's commitment to visit Woodlawn House in Dungannon after an Assembly debate he tabled on respite care. He says families have reported planned respite cancelled at short notice and calls for timely, well-planned services.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Woodlawn House Dungannon respite facility Assembly debate Original release: Gildernew welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to visit Dungannon respite facility (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan expresses concern after an Asian hornet nest was found, the first confirmed sighting of the species in the north. She welcomes the Environment Agency's response and urges the public to report suspected sightings or nests.
Environment and climate Issue: Asian hornet nest discovery in Northern Ireland Original release: Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan demands action from Executive to protect mental health services
SDLP MLA and Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says the closure of the Extern crisis service in Foyle, which supported people in mental health distress out of hours, reflects Executive failings. He calls for cross-departmental legislation and a new budgeting approach ahead of the…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Closure of Extern crisis intervention service in Foyle Original release: Durkan demands action from Executive to protect mental health services (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister joins Hannah Scott at launch of boat funded by…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says the £1 million Olympic Legacy Fund will boost grassroots sport as he joins Olympic gold medallist Hannah Scott at Bann Rowing Club’s boat‑naming ceremony, where her £20,000 Medallist Fund donation funded new boats.
Other Issue: Bann Rowing Club boat launch funded by Olympic Medallist Fund Original release: Communities Minister joins Hannah Scott at launch of boat funded by… (opens in a new tab)
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World Mental Health Day brings to light the dire need for better mental health services across the North – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls on the Health Minister to clarify plans for tackling the mental health crisis, saying progress on the 2021 Mental Health Strategy is falling far short. She urges a regional mental health crisis centre and cites her Suicide Prevention Bill requiring training for…
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McGrath: Executive must get serious about mental health
SDLP's McGrath says the Executive needs to take mental health far more seriously, though the release gives no specific policy, figure or decision behind the call.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: McGrath: Executive must get serious about mental health (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister leaving parents in limbo following withdrawal of nursing support for special educational needs children, says Mathison
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA says the Health Minister has left parents and special school staff in limbo after a review into nursing provision in special schools gave no clarity. He urges urgent answers and calls for full nursing provision to be reinstated.
Health Education Issue: Health Minister's review on nursing provision in special schools Original release: Health Minister leaving parents in limbo following withdrawal of nursing support for special educational needs children, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Wildfires framework a milestone for the Mournes, says McMurray
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's newly launched framework on wildfires, which follows this year's fires in the Mournes and Sperrins. He backs its focus on prevention, enforcement and peatland restoration, while saying more work remains.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA wildfire strategic framework launch Original release: Wildfires framework a milestone for the Mournes, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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Baby Loss Certificate will provide compassion and recognition for families – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan says she will host a ribbon display at Stormont on 9 October to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, and calls for the Baby Loss Certificate Scheme legislation, brought forward by Finance Minister John O'Dowd, to be progressed with other parties.
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McGrath: £20 million spent on restricted health procedures with no checks shows lack of oversight
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says an Audit Office report shows almost £22 million was spent on procedures that should have been restricted, with no monitoring by the Department or Health Trusts, and calls on the Minister for Health to explain the failure and ensure tighter s
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: NI Audit Office report on Effective Use of Resources compliance for restricted procedures Original release: McGrath: £20 million spent on restricted health procedures with no checks shows lack of oversight (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister failing to ensure value for money, says McAllister, following NIAO report
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Health Minister has failed to prioritise value for money after an Audit Office report found no proof that Department of Health effective use of resources rules are being followed for 29 restricted procedures. She calls for urgent action…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: NI Audit Office report on Effective Use of Resources compliance for restricted procedures Original release: Health Minister failing to ensure value for money, says McAllister, following NIAO report (opens in a new tab)
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Bower welcomes passing of motion encouraging more community orchards in Belfast
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Christine Bower welcomes council's passing of her motion urging Belfast to develop community orchards, citing food access, local resilience and green space, and calls for council to back their creation with local groups and families.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on community orchards passed Original release: Bower welcomes passing of motion encouraging more community orchards in Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen welcomes end to flawed consultation but demands urgency on SWAH Vision Plan
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen welcomes the Western Trust's decision to end its consultation on permanently removing emergency general surgery from South West Acute Hospital, but urges an urgent update and clear timeframe for the final Future Health and Care Services Vision Plan for Fermanagh and West…
Health Issue: Western Trust ends consultation on permanent removal of emergency general surgery at SWAH Original release: Cullen welcomes end to flawed consultation but demands urgency on SWAH Vision Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must publish long overdue winter health plan, says Donnelly, warning delays are costing lives and adding pressure to stretched workforce
Alliance's Danny Donnelly MLA, a health spokesperson and nurse, calls on the Health Minister to urgently publish the overdue Winter Preparedness Plan, which was due in August, warning delays are costing lives and straining health staff.
Health Issue: Winter Preparedness Plan publication delay Original release: Minister must publish long overdue winter health plan, says Donnelly, warning delays are costing lives and adding pressure to stretched workforce (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan calls for joined-up approach between Ministers on Disability and Work Strategy
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes the draft Disability and Work Strategy but says it will only succeed with concrete commitments on community rehabilitation access. He calls for the Department of Health to publish its Community Rehabilitation Framework alongside the strategy…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Disability and Work Strategy public consultation launch Original release: Durkan calls for joined-up approach between Ministers on Disability and Work Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath accuses Health Minister of ‘dithering’ on nurse's pay
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA accuses the Health Minister of delaying a nurses' pay deal and says recent comments have added uncertainty as the RCN ballots members on industrial action. He calls on the Executive to act now and deliver a fair pay rise.
Health Economy and employment Issue: RCN ballot on nurses' pay strike action Original release: McGrath accuses Health Minister of ‘dithering’ on nurse's pay (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must take action to reduce energy costs and tackle fuel poverty urgently, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Communities Minister to set out plans for social housing built to higher energy efficiency and renewable integration standards, ahead of an Assembly motion on the issue tomorrow, to cut household energy costs and fuel poverty.
Housing Economy and employment Issue: Alliance Assembly motion on higher energy efficiency standards for social housing Original release: Minister must take action to reduce energy costs and tackle fuel poverty urgently, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Time to build mother and baby unit – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn is bringing a motion, to be debated Tuesday, urging the Health Minister to set up a dedicated ward with trained staff for mothers while a mother and baby unit is developed. It also asks the Minister to work with the Irish government so the unit serves mothers and…
Health Issue: Mother and baby unit motion on postpartum mental health support Original release: Time to build mother and baby unit – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Minister faces uphill battle to establish independent EPA
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan says the Environment Minister faces an uphill battle to set up an independent Environmental Protection Agency, and his party will table an Opposition Day motion next week urging parties to back it. He says delays have cut the time left before the mandate ends.
Environment and climate Issue: Minister's Executive push for independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: McCrossan: Minister faces uphill battle to establish independent EPA (opens in a new tab)