Latest releases
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3,717 releases
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Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services
TUV councillor Anna Henry, Mid and East Antrim, warns women face years of chronic pain awaiting first gynaecology specialist appointments, citing June 2025 figures showing over 14,000 waiting in the South Eastern Trust and wait times near two years, and calls for urgent investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health June 2025 gynaecology outpatient waiting list figures Original release: Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister commends healthcare staff working to reduce waiting lists
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes the latest waiting list figures, citing a fall of over 15,000 patients awaiting first outpatient appointments and 7,316 fewer waiting for inpatient or day case admission. He commends healthcare staff and expects further improvement from the Elective Care…
Health Issue: Latest hospital waiting list figures for outpatient appointments Original release: Health Minister commends healthcare staff working to reduce waiting lists (opens in a new tab)
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No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the Environment Minister's Assembly update on stronger wastewater pollution rules, including tougher fines, ending NI Water's licence to pollute and stricter discharge consent standards. He urges Executive approval and urgent Infrastructure…
Environment and climate Issue: Environment Minister's Assembly update on wastewater pollution measures Original release: No one should have a licence to pollute, says Blair, welcoming stronger wastewater pollution regulations (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says the Department for the Economy must be candid about Northern Ireland's 2030 renewable electricity target of 80%, which she calls unachievable on current trajectory. She cites roughly 44% renewable generation today and calls for a credible, deliverable energy…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Economy Committee questioning of Energy Group officials on 2030 renewable electricity target Original release: Forsythe: DfE Must Be Honest About Unrealistic 2030 Energy Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go
TUV leader Jim Allister says Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds's claim that opposition to Irish is a blow for unification echoes a 1982 IRA-era remark and calls for his removal, urging Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly to act.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds comments on opposition to Irish Original release: Irish Language Commission links language to IRA campaign – he should go (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the latest hospital waiting list figures, showing over 542,000 people awaiting a first outpatient appointment and more than 174,000 waiting over two years, raise doubts about whether the Executive treats the backlog as a priority.
Health Issue: Latest hospital waiting list figures for outpatient appointments Original release: McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Calls for Urgent Action on Eating Disorder Services
DUP MLA Diane Dodds calls on the Health Minister to set a firm timetable for upgrading the regional eating disorder service, noting an outline business case awaits Finance review under Action 29d of the Mental Health Strategy.
Health Issue: Eating disorder service enhancement timetable ahead of Awareness Week debate Original release: Dodds Calls for Urgent Action on Eating Disorder Services (opens in a new tab)
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TUV announces plans to mark Innocent Victims of Terrorism Day
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston announces a Stormont event on Monday 9th March marking European Day for Victims of Terrorism, with a minute's silence and four victims sharing their accounts of republican, loyalist and Islamic terrorism.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: TUV announces plans to mark Innocent Victims of Terrorism Day (opens in a new tab)
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‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for a step change in endometriosis services in the north after new figures show average diagnosis waiting times of nearly 10 years. She urges the Health Minister to set up specialist endometriosis services and work with Dublin on an all-island approach.
Health Disability and equality Issue: New figures on endometriosis diagnosis waiting times Original release: ‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens
Alliance councillor Tara Brooks voices concern that Belfast City Council's plan to move a community garden and an EU-funded UPSURGE environmental project from Botanic Gardens for a sports pitch lacks transparency. She says her proposal to pause the decision for more information was ignored and…
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Botanic Gardens community garden relocation for new sports pitch Original release: Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Executive's sign-off on repeal legislation that would permanently halt oil and gas exploration and licensing in the north, including fracking. She says it aligns the region with the rest of the island and will protect Fermanagh communities.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive approval of Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill Original release: Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (opens in a new tab)
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Doctors’ testimony of impact of genocide on Gaza healthcare system harrowing – Cullen
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen describes testimony from Palestinian and British doctors on Gaza's healthcare system as harrowing, condemns Israel's blocking of medical treatment and evacuations, and calls for stronger global pressure to enforce international law.
International affairs Health Issue: Westminster briefing on impact of Gaza conflict on healthcare Original release: Doctors’ testimony of impact of genocide on Gaza healthcare system harrowing – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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PEACEPLUS funding must be maintained – Archibald
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomes support for additional PEACEPLUS funding in the next EU budget, following a proposal by Kathleen Funchion MEP that still needs agreement from a European committee. She calls for funding to be guaranteed beyond 2027.
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Regional Development Committee adoption of PeacePlus funding amendment Original release: PEACEPLUS funding must be maintained – Archibald (opens in a new tab)
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Young condemns threatening letter in Clough area
Alliance Slieve Croob Councillor Helena Young condemns a threatening letter with sectarian and Islamophobic messaging circulating in the Clough area of County Down, which PSNI is investigating as a hate crime, and urges anyone with information to contact police.
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Threatening sectarian and Islamophobic letter circulating in Clough area Original release: Young condemns threatening letter in Clough area (opens in a new tab)
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Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair welcomes the launch of Northern Ireland’s Marine Protected Areas Strategy by Minister Andrew Muir, calling it a vital step to restore marine and freshwater habitats, boost biodiversity and use carbon‑absorbing seagrass and kelp to aid climate action.
Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Northern Ireland Marine Protected Areas Strategy Original release: Marine Protected Areas Strategy crucial for healthier habitats, says Blair, following publication (opens in a new tab)
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Halt For-Profit Gouging of Health Service
People Before Profit's Cllr Shaun Harkin brings a motion to Derry City and Strabane District Council's February meeting urging a halt to profiteering in the health service, citing more than £302 million paid to private providers by Health and Social Care Trusts from 2020 to 2025.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Halt For-Profit Gouging of Health Service (opens in a new tab)
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Brett demands action on intimidation of Protestant Council workers
DUP MLA Phillip Brett demands a full investigation into a circulated list naming Protestant Belfast City Council cleansing staff with false claims about their background. He says the list follows recent assaults on council workers and urges the council to probe whether staff were involved.
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: Circulation of threatening list naming Protestant Belfast City Council cleansing staff Original release: Brett demands action on intimidation of Protestant Council workers (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health service adrift as staffing gaps persist
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says latest Health and Social Care workforce statistics show vacancies stuck around 6,000 for three years, with recruitment replacing leavers. He calls on the Health Minister to set a date for introducing safe staffing legislation.
Health Issue: Health and Social Care workforce vacancy statistics February 2026 Original release: McGrath: Health service adrift as staffing gaps persist (opens in a new tab)
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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)