Latest releases
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3,946 releases
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‘Delivering Rural Health and Care in a New Ireland’ report published
Health Constitutional affairs Original release: ‘Delivering Rural Health and Care in a New Ireland’ report published (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan calls on Health Minister to examine screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan urges the Health Minister to assess introducing newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, citing early diagnosis benefits and a pilot in Scotland, and says the North should not fall behind.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Spinal Muscular Atrophy screening review in Northern Ireland Original release: McCrossan calls on Health Minister to examine screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive failing people on suicide prevention
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive is failing on suicide prevention after 290 registered suicides in 2024, a 31% rise, and calls for cross-departmental funding and fuller backing for the Mental Health Strategy and Protect Life 2. He welcomes a newly opened inquiry into how such…
Health Issue: Cross-party inquiry into suicide prevention funding launched by All-Party Group Original release: Durkan: Executive failing people on suicide prevention (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation on Nature Recovery Strategy a step in the right direction, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the public consultation on the draft Nature Recovery Strategy announced by Minister Muir, calling it a timely step to reverse nature decline and urging public bodies, businesses, farmers and citizens to submit their ideas.
Environment and climate Issue: Draft Northern Ireland Nature Recovery Strategy consultation Original release: Consultation on Nature Recovery Strategy a step in the right direction, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Tackling poverty central to any effort to raise wellbeing standards, says Bradshaw
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says Northern Ireland wellbeing figures are encouraging overall but show persistent gaps for disabled people and those in deprived circumstances. She calls for early investment in healthcare, housing, education and mental health, and for the Executive…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Individual Wellbeing in Northern Ireland 2024 to 2025 report publication Original release: Tackling poverty central to any effort to raise wellbeing standards, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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New inquiry launched to improve suicide prevention services in the north – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes a new cross-party inquiry into funding for suicide prevention in the north, set up by the All-Party Group she chairs. She says the inquiry will look at services beyond a purely health-focused approach, involving schools, prisons and youth clubs, and will hear…
Health Issue: Cross-party inquiry into suicide prevention funding launched by All-Party Group Original release: New inquiry launched to improve suicide prevention services in the north – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Mournes must be protected for future generations – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says the Mourne Mountains must be protected as visitor numbers rise, urging the Stormont Executive to grant regional asset status to secure sustainable investment and safeguard fragile habitats.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Rising visitor numbers to the Mourne Mountains Original release: Mournes must be protected for future generations – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister’s winter preparedness plan has clearly failed
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's winter plan has failed in delivery, pointing to patients on trolleys and long ambulance waits. He calls for urgent action on staff retention, social care pay and safe staffing legislation, and for proper planning for…
Health Issue: Health Minister's winter preparedness plan Original release: McGrath: Health Minister’s winter preparedness plan has clearly failed (opens in a new tab)
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Beattie Slams AI Deepfake Menace in Schools
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA warns of AI misuse in schools after police opened a criminal investigation into boys at The Armagh Royal Academy over fake sexualised AI images of female pupils. He urges pupils who received such images to inform police or school authorities and not…
Justice and policing Education Issue: Armagh Royal Academy police investigation into AI-generated sexualised images of pupils Original release: Beattie Slams AI Deepfake Menace in Schools (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Environmental Protection Agency - NOW!
Alliance says the DUP has blocked its plan for an independent Environmental Protection Agency at the Executive, citing Lough Neagh and the Mobuoy illegal dump, and calls on the UK and Irish governments to reform the system via a petition.
Environment and climate Issue: DUP blocks independent Environmental Protection Agency at Executive Original release: Independent Environmental Protection Agency - NOW! (opens in a new tab)
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Patients and health staff deserve better than winter preparedness delay and disorganisation, says McAllister, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says patients and staff deserve better after the Winter Preparedness Plan was published in mid-October, months after it was due in August. She calls for the Health Minister to set a timeline so 2026-27 winter planning starts earlier, with detailed…
Health Issue: Winter Preparedness Plan publication delay Original release: Patients and health staff deserve better than winter preparedness delay and disorganisation, says McAllister, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach to paediatric pathology is necessary – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says an all-Ireland approach to paediatric pathology is needed, after an Assembly motion on all-island collaboration passed. She says families currently travelling to England face extra strain, and that recruitment for specialist vacancies has been difficult.
Health Issue: Assembly motion on all-island collaboration for paediatric pathology services Original release: All-island approach to paediatric pathology is necessary – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes £2 million energy support for low-income households
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes over £2 million in extra Department for the Economy funding, announced by Minister Caoimhe Archibald, to cut energy bills for low-income households through insulation and efficiency measures for over 1,000 homes.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for the Economy £2 million NISEP energy-efficiency funding allocation Original release: Delargy welcomes £2 million energy support for low-income households (opens in a new tab)
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New Structures Must Support Not Undermine the Controlled Sector
UUP education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA welcomes progress on proposals for a new statutory body to support the controlled sector, but warns against any 'nationalisation' perception and wants clarity on Christian ethos after the Supreme Court RE ruling.
Education Issue: Controlled sector statutory organisation proposals following consultation Original release: New Structures Must Support Not Undermine the Controlled Sector (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must stop cherry-picking on school management reform, says Mathison, calling for creation of single managing authority for schools
Alliance Education spokesperson and Education Committee Chair Nick Mathison MLA says the Education Minister must stop cherry-picking from the Independent Review of Education on school management reform. He calls for a single managing authority for all schools, arguing the minister's proposals add…
Education Issue: Education Minister's statement on school management reform proposals Original release: Minister must stop cherry-picking on school management reform, says Mathison, calling for creation of single managing authority for schools (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw expresses ongoing concern at inaction by First and deputy First Ministers on key aspects of Covid-19 Inquiry
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says she remains concerned at the lack of visible action by the First and deputy First Minister on the Covid-19 Inquiry, including reforming institutions to respond better to future emergencies.
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Breast cancer waiting times a scandal - Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds says new Department of Health figures, showing only 3.5% of urgently referred women with suspected breast cancer seen within the 14-day target, reveal a failing system. She calls on the Health Minister to set out a plan to expand diagnostic capacity and cut…
Health Issue: Department of Health breast cancer urgent referral waiting time figures Original release: Breast cancer waiting times a scandal - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Cancer waiting times show Executive has lost focus
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says published cancer waiting time figures show the Executive is failing to prioritise cancer care. He points to only 30% of urgent GP referrals treated within 62 days, a fall on the previous quarter, and calls on the Executive to take…
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer waiting times statistics publication January 2026 Original release: McGrath: Cancer waiting times show Executive has lost focus (opens in a new tab)
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Staff and patients paying price for another year of late and ineffectual winter planning, says Donnelly
Alliance Health spokesperson and registered nurse Danny Donnelly MLA says the Winter Preparedness Plan should have prioritised patient flow, citing RCN testimony on corridor care. He calls the plan late and rushed and urges investment in social care to free hospital beds, ahead of an Assembly…
Health Issue: RCN testimony on corridor care and Winter Preparedness Plan Original release: Staff and patients paying price for another year of late and ineffectual winter planning, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Breast cancer screening referral wait times unacceptable, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says waits for urgent breast cancer screening referrals are too long after new Department of Health figures showed only 3.5% of 6,194 urgent referrals were seen within 14 days. She calls on the Health Minister and Trusts to ensure the move to a…
Health Issue: Department of Health breast cancer urgent referral waiting time figures Original release: Breast cancer screening referral wait times unacceptable, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)