Latest releases
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5,209 releases
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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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Olympic decision restores fairness and protects women’s sport -…
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe welcomes an Olympic participation rules decision as a step towards fair competition and integrity in elite sport. She says she is taking forward a Private Members' Bill and public consultation on women's sport in Northern Ireland and urges support for her campaign.
Disability and equality Issue: Olympic participation rules decision on women's category eligibility Original release: Olympic decision restores fairness and protects women’s sport -… (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Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan asks the Health Minister to revisit the withdrawn core grant for Women's Aid, which he says was cut by half in 2023 and then removed entirely in 2024.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)
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Education Minister’s failure to deliver schemes for children in special schools is ‘unacceptable’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the DUP Education Minister’s failure to provide summer programmes for pupils in special schools is unacceptable, and she will write to the Health and Education Ministers urging them to devise a solution for these children and their families.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Failure to provide special school summer programmes Original release: Education Minister’s failure to deliver schemes for children in special schools is ‘unacceptable’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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65 Women Murdered Across Ireland Since 2020, This is No Country for Women – Senator Sarah O’Reilly
Aontú Senator Sarah O'Reilly raises gender-based violence in the Seanad, saying 65 women have been killed across the island since 2020 and calling for more refuge spaces, as Ireland falls well below Council of Europe recommendations. She also raises concerns over the death of Kelly Lynch in…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: 65 Women Murdered Across Ireland Since 2020, This is No Country for Women – Senator Sarah O’Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Murray calls for pilot drug testing facilities at Belfast events to improve public safety
Alliance councillor Micky Murray says a motion he brought to Belfast City Council seeking pilot drug-checking services at major city events and festivals has cleared its first stage. He argues such testing would help health authorities warn the public about dangerous substances and reduce…
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on drug testing at city events Original release: Murray calls for pilot drug testing facilities at Belfast events to improve public safety (opens in a new tab)
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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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DUP are bringing common sense to government – Buckley
Upper Bann MLA and DUP Director of Campaigns Jonathan Buckley says Northern Ireland requires a return to practical government after a visit to Fermanagh, criticising net zero targets and green taxes as adding to fuel and energy costs. He also accuses Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance of…
Economy and employment Environment and climate Original release: DUP are bringing common sense to government – Buckley (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)