Latest releases
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3,801 releases
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Ní Chuilín convenes meeting to tackle homelessness in Belfast
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says she has hosted a multi-agency meeting at Belfast City Hall with homeless providers, the Housing Executive, council and elected representatives. She says the talks covered backing existing services and improving winter emergency protocol communication, with more…
Housing Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall multi-agency homelessness meeting January 2026 Original release: Ní Chuilín convenes meeting to tackle homelessness in Belfast (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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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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Assembly backs call for removal of illegal Sinn Fein billboard
The DUP says the Assembly backed its motion condemning an unauthorised Sinn Fein billboard at Newry’s Egyptian arch and urges the Infrastructure Minister to allocate resources and authority to have it removed.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Sinn Fein billboard at Newry Egyptian arch Original release: Assembly backs call for removal of illegal Sinn Fein billboard (opens in a new tab)
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Casement Park development must match funding available
The DUP's sport spokesman, Stephen Dunne MLA, says the UK Government has clarified its contribution to Casement Park but a large funding gap remains. He says it is now for the GAA to either add funding or scale back its project to fit the money available.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Casement Park funding gap after UK Government contribution clarification Original release: Casement Park development must match funding available (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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Doherty: Casement progress welcome but project must be delivered
SDLP Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Paul Doherty welcomes the confirmed restart of work at Casement Park, urging that it not become another false dawn and calling for political agreement, secured funding and a clear timeline to deliver the stadium.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Casement Park preparatory works announcement and public funding Original release: Doherty: Casement progress welcome but project must be delivered (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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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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Work on Layde Cliff Path due to begin in May – McMullan
Sinn Féin Councillor Oliver McMullan says Causeway Coast and Glens Council officers have told him work on the Layde Cliff Path will start in May, brought forward by several months. He says the design team has visited the site and tendering is under way, and he will seek a further update.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Layde Cliff Path restoration works start date Original release: Work on Layde Cliff Path due to begin in May – McMullan (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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Durkan: Rising rent arrears underline strain on social housing system
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says new Department for Communities figures showing 26,844 Housing Executive tenancies in rent arrears by end September 2025 underline strain on social housing. He calls for providers to be properly supported and social housing adequately…
Housing Issue: Department for Communities rent arrears figures September 2025 Original release: Durkan: Rising rent arrears underline strain on social housing system (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)
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Minister Kimmins Must Act After Winter Chaos
Ulster Unionist Infrastructure Spokesperson John Stewart MLA urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to act after snow and ice disrupted roads, saying gritting was inadequate, grit boxes were slow to refill and planning with councils was lacking.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Northern Ireland snow and ice winter disruption and gritting response Original release: Minister Kimmins Must Act After Winter Chaos (opens in a new tab)
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Fairness in public appointments must be restored - Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell, after tabling a Commons motion, says public appointments must be fair to every community, citing Protestant under-representation in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and alleged intimidation deterring Catholic recruits to the PSNI, and urges nationalist parties to…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Commons motion on public appointments and community representation in public bodies Original release: Fairness in public appointments must be restored - Campbell (opens in a new tab)