Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
2,984 releases
-
Armstrong calls for a NI Fuel Poverty Strategy now
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Communities Minister to publish a targeted fuel poverty strategy before the upcoming Budget, citing National Energy Action NI findings that many households went without heating and that fuel poverty worsens health and mental wellbeing.
Social security and welfare Housing Issue: National Energy Action NI fuel poverty briefing Original release: Armstrong calls for a NI Fuel Poverty Strategy now (opens in a new tab)
-
Eastwood welcomes Hillsborough Law second reading
Alliance Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood welcomes the second reading of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as Hillsborough Law, while warning that families must not face delays or weakened provisions. She points to Northern Ireland cases including the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Public Office (Accountability) Bill second reading in Parliament Original release: Eastwood welcomes Hillsborough Law second reading (opens in a new tab)
-
We need more EV charging infrastructure in Belfast, says Long, welcoming progress
Alliance Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Michael Long welcomes council's agreement to begin tendering for the operating model of 42 EV charging stations on council land, after a Sinn Féin deferral. He calls for more charging infrastructure across Belfast to encourage electric vehicle…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Belfast City Council EV charging stations tender decision Original release: We need more EV charging infrastructure in Belfast, says Long, welcoming progress (opens in a new tab)
-
Suicide Prevention Training Bill will help equip frontline workers with skills that can save lives – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes strong support for her proposed Suicide Prevention Training Bill after a consultation closed. It would require public-sector employers to train frontline staff in health, education and social care on preventing suicide.
Health Issue: Suicide Prevention Training Bill consultation outcome Original release: Suicide Prevention Training Bill will help equip frontline workers with skills that can save lives – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
-
Rate of progress investigating cervical screening scandal not fast enough, says Guy, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Michelle Guy says progress investigating the Southern Trust cervical screening scandal is too slow, ahead of an Assembly motion urging the Health Minister to set up a statutory public inquiry into the matter.
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening scandal Assembly motion on statutory inquiry Original release: Rate of progress investigating cervical screening scandal not fast enough, says Guy, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
-
Protecting health and protecting rights must go hand in hand - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Health Minister's decision to drop the Public Health Bill, saying the draft proposals amounted to an overreach that risked giving the Department of Health sweeping powers without democratic oversight. She says any future framework should be…
Health Issue: Health Minister drops Public Health Bill plans Original release: Protecting health and protecting rights must go hand in hand - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
-
Forsythe: NI Health Funds Should Benefit NI Patients
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe questions the Department of Health's oversight of over £125 million in university fees for medical and health degrees over three years. She says that graduates face no obligation to work in Northern Ireland and calls on the Health Minister to require funded…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health spending on medical student university fees Original release: Forsythe: NI Health Funds Should Benefit NI Patients (opens in a new tab)
-
Tánaiste U-turn on Chaotic Asylum Process Long Over Due – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, Meath West TD, says Tánaiste Simon Harris's asylum process statement is a U-turn that admits government error, and cites parliamentary question figures on accommodation, backlogs, appeal times, deportations and undocumented arrivals at Dublin Airport.
Immigration Housing Issue: Tánaiste Simon Harris asylum process statement U-turn Original release: Tánaiste U-turn on Chaotic Asylum Process Long Over Due – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
-
Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn calls for the Department of Justice and Justice Minister to commission a full review of fireworks laws after footage showed a family dog suffering a stroke and being put to sleep. He says the 2002 regulations are outdated and urges limits on private use, stricter…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Fireworks law review call after family dog's death Original release: Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death (opens in a new tab)
-
Armstrong expresses concern over fare increases for Strangford Ferry
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong criticises the Infrastructure Minister's decision to raise Strangford Ferry fares for a second consecutive year, warning of harm to commuters, students and outpatients attending Downe Hospital, and asks for the calculation and internal efficiencies behind the rise.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Strangford Ferry fare increase consultation 2025 Original release: Armstrong expresses concern over fare increases for Strangford Ferry (opens in a new tab)
-
Mary Lou McDonald to speak in Westville Hotel at rural healthcare in a new Ireland event
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen announces that party leader Mary Lou McDonald TD will speak at a Commission on the Future of Ireland event on rural health and care in Enniskillen's Westville Hotel on 26 November. Tickets are now available.
Health Constitutional affairs Original release: Mary Lou McDonald to speak in Westville Hotel at rural healthcare in a new Ireland event (opens in a new tab)
-
Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Department for Infrastructure taking steps on structural work for the River Bann bridge in Kilrea, closed since September, but calls for dates and deadlines and warns against further delays to reopening.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Kilrea River Bann bridge closure Original release: Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure (opens in a new tab)
-
Gildernew comments on changes to how social homes are funded
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says changes to social housing funding must be consulted on and delivered with housing providers, after the Communities Minister announced a major overhaul of housing association grant rates. He says the changes appear to have been made without consulting housing…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's housing association grant rate overhaul Original release: Gildernew comments on changes to how social homes are funded (opens in a new tab)
-
Durkan: Cut to Housing Association funding will deliver fewer homes
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says a cut to Housing Association grant, from 54% to 46% of build cost, will lead to fewer homes. He criticises Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for failing to consult the sector.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's housing association grant rate overhaul Original release: Durkan: Cut to Housing Association funding will deliver fewer homes (opens in a new tab)
-
Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says a Audit Office report confirms concerns that the Department for Economy's energy strategy is falling short, and calls for a revision of Northern Ireland's 2030 climate targets, citing grid connection delays, planning delays and the lack of a storage strategy.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets (opens in a new tab)
-
Confidence in the Belfast Trust must be restored urgently, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Belfast Trust must urgently rebuild staff confidence after a Health Committee session on a report into culture and oversight in its Cardiac Unit. She calls for whistleblowing reform and a statutory candour duty, and welcomes the new Trust…
Health Issue: Belfast Trust performance accountability report publication Original release: Confidence in the Belfast Trust must be restored urgently, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
-
McGuigan comments on Belfast Trust report
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes publication of a report on the Belfast Trust, commissioned after the trust's performance accountability process was raised to Level 5. He says serious issues remain unresolved in the cardiac surgery unit and will scrutinise the recommendations in full.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust performance accountability report publication Original release: McGuigan comments on Belfast Trust report (opens in a new tab)
-
Immense potential for development of All Island Healthcare discussed at Good Friday Agreement Committee – Pat Cullen MP
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says an all-island, centrally funded healthcare model is a party priority, after a Good Friday Agreement Committee session on all-island healthcare with academic witnesses. She backs a call for data-led research to integrate services across both jurisdictions.
Health Issue: Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee session on all-island healthcare Original release: Immense potential for development of All Island Healthcare discussed at Good Friday Agreement Committee – Pat Cullen MP (opens in a new tab)
-
Cameron – HMOs are reshaping communities
South Antrim DUP MLA Pam Cameron welcomes the Communities Minister's statement on tightening HMO oversight, urging councils to use their 2016 Act powers consistently. She also flags around 250 HMOs used by MEARS for asylum seekers and refugees, and backs the minister's push to extend Right to Rent…
Housing Local government Issue: Communities Minister's statement on HMO enforcement and licensing Original release: Cameron – HMOs are reshaping communities (opens in a new tab)
-
Durkan: Minister can’t pass the buck on HMOs
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to legislate on houses in multiple occupation, including licensing, enforcement and limiting over-concentration, rather than writing to councils reminding them of their obligations.
Housing Local government Issue: Communities Minister's statement on HMO enforcement and licensing Original release: Durkan: Minister can’t pass the buck on HMOs (opens in a new tab)