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4,737 releases
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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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Ulster Unionist Leader Jon Burrows to visit US for St Patrick’s Day and meet Secretary of State
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says he will travel to the US for St Patrick's Day with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt MLA, then meet Secretary of State Hilary Benn to press on the Windsor Framework, the Legacy Bill and the Shared Prosperity Fund funding cliff edge.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Ulster Unionist Leader Jon Burrows to visit US for St Patrick’s Day and meet Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
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Abuse of cross-community voting during Covid pandemic only demonstrates need for reform, says Guy
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy says cross-community voting abuse in the Executive blocked Covid-era public health measures and argues the Covid Inquiry findings alone justify institutional reform. She calls on the Assembly to change the system so one party cannot paralyse government, pointing to the…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly Executive Review Committee questioning of Arlene Foster on institutional reform Original release: Abuse of cross-community voting during Covid pandemic only demonstrates need for reform, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds: Children’s Safety Must Come Before Political Ideology
Health Original release: Dodds: Children’s Safety Must Come Before Political Ideology (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must provide clarity on future of emergency general surgery at SWAH
Sinn Féin representatives joined a Stormont protest by Save Our Acute Services over the withdrawal of emergency surgery from South West Acute Hospital in 2022. Pat Cullen MP calls the continuing lack of clarity unacceptable, while Jemma Dolan MLA urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to set a…
Health Issue: Save Our Acute Services Stormont protest over SWAH surgery Original release: Health Minister must provide clarity on future of emergency general surgery at SWAH (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP backs SOAS Stormont protest
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath, speaking after attending a Save Our Acute Services protest at Stormont, says Fermanagh residents are angered by losing surgical cover at the South West Acute Hospital and calls for the Health Minister and Western Trust to revisit the situation.
Health Issue: Save Our Acute Services Stormont protest over SWAH surgery Original release: SDLP backs SOAS Stormont protest (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: First Ministers’ evidence must drive real Stormont reform
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says evidence from former First Ministers Arlene Foster and Mark Durkan to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee offers a chance to revive Stormont reform. He proposes that the committee hear from ex-First Ministers on improving how devolved…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly and Executive Review Committee evidence from Arlene Foster and Mark Durkan on Stormont reform Original release: O’Toole: First Ministers’ evidence must drive real Stormont reform (opens in a new tab)
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MLAs Pay Rise: Immoral, Unjustified, and an Insult to Every Worker and Vulnerable Child
Aontú calls the proposed 27% MLA pay rise immoral and unjustifiable, contrasting it with 3–5% increases for teachers, nurses and other public sector workers. It also demands the rise be stopped immediately, citing SEND and EA transport cuts.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: MLAs Pay Rise: Immoral, Unjustified, and an Insult to Every Worker and Vulnerable Child (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly hails ‘historic’ vote at Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes a motion passed at the Conradh na Gaeilge annual gathering pledging the organisation to pursue Irish unity, calling it a historic decision. She credits its proposers, Belfast's Comhairle Ceantair branch, and says the years ahead offer chances to advance…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge motion backing Irish unity Original release: Reilly hails ‘historic’ vote at Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis (opens in a new tab)
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No MLA Pay Rise: Don’t Reward Failure!
Aontú, through Gemma Brolly, backs a petition to stop a proposed 27% MLA pay rise, calling for an immediate halt, a full review of MLA expenses and allowances, and a cap tied to the highest public sector pay award. It also calls for investment in SEND services and a fair deal for public sector…
Economy and employment Education Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: No MLA Pay Rise: Don’t Reward Failure! (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers Failed by Stormont: TUV Slams Slurry Ban, TB Crisis and Windsor Framework
TUV agriculture spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle tells a West Tyrone fundraiser that farming is failing under Stormont, calling for the agriculture and environment roles to be split, citing over 20,000 TB-infected cattle in 2025 and urging action to eradicate bovine TB.
Agriculture and rural affairs Constitutional affairs Original release: Farmers Failed by Stormont: TUV Slams Slurry Ban, TB Crisis and Windsor Framework (opens in a new tab)
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Maghie welcomes council approval of draft byelaws to address noise and graphic imagery
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Jenna Maghie welcomes council approval of draft byelaws restricting graphic imagery and noise in Belfast City Centre, including a 70-decibel noise limit, and urges the Communities Minister to enact them quickly.
Local government Disability and equality Issue: Belfast City Centre draft byelaws on graphic imagery and noise Original release: Maghie welcomes council approval of draft byelaws to address noise and graphic imagery (opens in a new tab)
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Lack of equality legislation for 20 years a shocking dereliction of duty, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, Executive Office spokesperson, says the First and deputy First Minister's failure to bring forward equality legislation in 20 years is a dereliction of duty, citing an Assembly answer from the joint FMdFM office. She calls for institutional reform so that outdated…
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly answer on absence of equality legislation from Executive Office Original release: Lack of equality legislation for 20 years a shocking dereliction of duty, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Government recklessly rushing to pass International Protection Bill despite glaring gaps – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Matt Carthy TD criticises the Government for guillotining the International Protection Bill in the Dáil next week, saying it denies TDs scrutiny of gaps in the legislation and opposition amendments, including a community impact assessment for IPAS centres and a cap on…
Immigration International affairs Issue: Guillotine of International Protection Bill in the Dáil Original release: Government recklessly rushing to pass International Protection Bill despite glaring gaps – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister should confirm children will not lose classroom assistants – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls on the Education Authority and the Education Minister to confirm that no child currently receiving a classroom assistant will lose that support under new EA proposals. He says the policy could reduce or remove one-to-one help for some children and that his party…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority classroom assistant support policy proposals Original release: Education Minister should confirm children will not lose classroom assistants – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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TUV comment on £14k pay hike for MLAs
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the Independent Remuneration Board's determination lifting MLA salaries by about 27%, a £14,000 rise, was the outcome MLAs intended. He argues Stormont's powers have shrunk and calls for public consultation on the pay decision.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: TUV comment on £14k pay hike for MLAs (opens in a new tab)
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Micheál Martin’s complacency on Irish Unity is a failure of leadership – Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD accuses Taoiseach Micheál Martin of complacency on Irish unity, claiming his remarks on a referendum before 2030 ignore public opinion and the government has failed to prepare for constitutional change.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach Micheál Martin's comments on Irish unity referendum on 7 Lá Original release: Micheál Martin’s complacency on Irish Unity is a failure of leadership – Mary Lou McDonald (opens in a new tab)
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Deis ag Ard Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge díriú ar Éire nua a thógáil – Kearney | Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis an opportunity to focus on building a new Ireland – Kearney
Sinn Féin's National Chairperson Declan Kearney, speaking ahead of Conradh na Gaeilge's Ard Fheis, calls Belfast's selection as host city significant and says its theme on the Irish language in a united Ireland is timely. He adds that he will join a panel discussion at the event.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Original release: Deis ag Ard Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge díriú ar Éire nua a thógáil – Kearney | Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis an opportunity to focus on building a new Ireland – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the new Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care, due to start on 1 April, but says only a statutory duty of candour will guarantee the openness and transparency the service needs.
Health Issue: Being Open Framework for Health and Social Care publication Original release: New framework welcome but statutory duty of candour needed to ensure openness and transparency, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Political institutions must be inclusive and representative of persons with disabilities, says Armstrong
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong says political institutions should reflect and include people with disabilities. She made the remarks after being selected by the Assembly to attend a Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities regional forum in Edinburgh on 20-21 February 2026.
Disability and equality Original release: Political institutions must be inclusive and representative of persons with disabilities, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)