Latest releases
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4,875 releases
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First and deputy First Minister can no longer ignore Covid Inquiry’s demand for institutional reform – Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw, Executive Office spokesperson, says the First and deputy First Minister can no longer sidestep the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's findings on Executive dysfunction. She argues only institutional overhaul will prevent political deadlock from hampering future emergency health…
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: UK Covid-19 Inquiry recommendations on Executive dysfunction and institutional reform Original release: First and deputy First Minister can no longer ignore Covid Inquiry’s demand for institutional reform – Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Allister questions impact of ECJ ruling in support of trans ideology on Northern Ireland
TUV leader Jim Allister warns that a European Court of Justice ruling in the Shipovo case, recognising a trans woman's legal gender, could override the UK Supreme Court's finding that sex is biological under the Protocol. He has tabled an urgent Westminster question on its impact on gender…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: ECJ Shipovo ruling on gender recognition and Northern Ireland Original release: Allister questions impact of ECJ ruling in support of trans ideology on Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Observer status MEPs should be allocated to the north – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South Kathleen Funchion urges that Northern Ireland be given observer status MEPs, arguing its people face EU rules without a voice at the EU table, during a Parliamentary Partnership Assembly in Brussels.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Parliamentary Partnership Assembly Brussels Northern Ireland observer MEPs proposal Original release: Observer status MEPs should be allocated to the north – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard raises serious concerns over Downe Hospital service reductions
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has raised concerns with the South Eastern Health Trust over reduced services at Downe Hospital on St Patrick's Day, calling for adequate staffing and a holiday contingency strategy.
Health Issue: Downe Hospital service reductions on St Patrick's Day 2026 Original release: Hazzard raises serious concerns over Downe Hospital service reductions (opens in a new tab)
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Women deserve timely, high-quality care at every stage of their lives – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says women in the north are let down by a health system that dismisses their pain, citing long waits for breast and gynaecology services and endometriosis care. She welcomes an Assembly vote backing a Women's Health Strategy and says her party supports a fully resourced…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on a Women's Health Strategy passed Original release: Women deserve timely, high-quality care at every stage of their lives – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must do more to support ‘rapid’ Irish-medium education growth – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan urges the Education Minister to invest properly in Irish-medium education after Department of Education figures showed a near 400% rise in pupils. He says the growth brings accommodation and curriculum resource shortfalls, and he is bringing forward a law on staffing.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Department of Education Irish-medium pupil numbers rise figures Original release: Minister must do more to support ‘rapid’ Irish-medium education growth – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Cost of living crisis tops agenda in meeting between Sinn Féin and British Prime Minister
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald says her delegation pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer on urgent British Government help with energy and fuel costs, the Gaza crisis and an immediate ceasefire. She also calls on him to establish an inquiry into the 1997 killing of Sean Brown and meet his widow.
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin delegation meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Original release: Cost of living crisis tops agenda in meeting between Sinn Féin and British Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK
TUV MP Jim Allister calls on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to make abiraterone available to Northern Ireland men with prostate cancer that has not spread, as it is already offered in England, Scotland and Wales. The Minister says NI lacks a NICE equivalent and cites budget pressures.
Health Issue: Abiraterone prostate cancer drug availability in Northern Ireland Original release: Northern Ireland Men Denied Life-Saving Prostate Cancer Drug Available Across Rest of UK (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP tells PM that change needed to end Executive dysfunction
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says she pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the SDLP's reform proposals after raising energy costs and Executive dysfunction, and urges both governments to begin serious talks on change at Stormont.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: SDLP meeting with Prime Minister on Stormont Executive dysfunction Original release: SDLP tells PM that change needed to end Executive dysfunction (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston welcomes progress on preservation of Lord and Lady Craigavon’s tomb
North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes progress in preserving the Craigavon tomb at Stormont, which he says now sits in far better condition after his earlier questions. He calls for proper maintenance arrangements so the Grade A listed monument does not fall into neglect again.
Other Issue: Craigavon tomb preservation work at Stormont Estate Original release: Gaston welcomes progress on preservation of Lord and Lady Craigavon’s tomb (opens in a new tab)
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The Historical Inevitability of the Union
UUP writes that Irish unity is not inevitable, arguing that polling and the 2024 Westminster vote show Northern Ireland's place in the UK is more likely to endure, and calls on unionists to promote the Union to non-unionist voters.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: The Historical Inevitability of the Union (opens in a new tab)
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Only by taking control of our future will we seize our full potential – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney, speaking in a Stormont debate on the island's economy, says all-island cooperation in health, education, transport and trade benefits workers and businesses, and calls on both governments and all parties to plan for Irish unity and set a referendum date by 2030.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Assembly debate on the all-island economy Original release: Only by taking control of our future will we seize our full potential – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Gerry Adams
Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, speaking to reporters after the first day of a London civil case, says he is there to defend himself and challenge the allegations against him. He states he is an Irish republican seeking to end British rule and unite Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Justice and policing Issue: Gerry Adams London civil case first day Original release: Statement from Gerry Adams (opens in a new tab)
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Response from Jim Allister KC MP, leader of the TUV to the Government’s Statement on the ‘UK-EU SPS Agreement – Information for Businesses’
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says the Government's UK-EU SPS Agreement undermines Brexit by extending EU animal, plant and food rules to Great Britain, and that it leaves the Irish Sea customs border in place. He calls the arrangement a surrender of sovereignty and says no financial contribution…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Government statement on UK-EU SPS Agreement for businesses Original release: Response from Jim Allister KC MP, leader of the TUV to the Government’s Statement on the ‘UK-EU SPS Agreement – Information for Businesses’ (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Education Minister must value role of classroom assistants
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says Education Minister Paul Givan should give classroom assistants proper respect, ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion on Monday. He criticises proposed reforms, especially around special educational needs, and calls for scrutiny of the Executive.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Classroom assistant reforms proposed by Education Minister Paul Givan Original release: Durkan: Education Minister must value role of classroom assistants (opens in a new tab)
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SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA calls on Secretary of State Hilary Benn to step in and help establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency, which he says all main parties committed to in New Decade, New Approach. He accuses the DUP of blocking it at the Executive ahead…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Environmental Protection Agency establishment blocked at Executive Original release: SoS must step in to ensure establishment of independent Environmental Protection Agency, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston challenges Executive Ministers after “neither” gender category exposed in violence against women funding scheme
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says funding for a violence against women scheme is allocated to groups using a third gender category, 'neither', and has submitted questions to all Executive Ministers on how departmental data is broken down by gender and defined.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Violence against women funding scheme gender category 'neither' questions to Executive Ministers Original release: Gaston challenges Executive Ministers after “neither” gender category exposed in violence against women funding scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston publishes his response to Stormont’s MLA only consultation on MLA pay
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston submits his response to the Independent Remuneration Board consultation, opposing the proposed rise in MLA basic salary from about £53,000 to £67,200. He argues the increase is out of step with public sector pay and that the benchmarking against other legislatures is…
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Issue: Independent Remuneration Board MLA pay determination increase Original release: Gaston publishes his response to Stormont’s MLA only consultation on MLA pay (opens in a new tab)
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Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services
TUV councillor Anna Henry, Mid and East Antrim, warns women face years of chronic pain awaiting first gynaecology specialist appointments, citing June 2025 figures showing over 14,000 waiting in the South Eastern Trust and wait times near two years, and calls for urgent investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health June 2025 gynaecology outpatient waiting list figures Original release: Women Left Waiting Years in Pain – Urgent Investment Needed in Northern Ireland’s Gynaecology Services (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says a single Irish state offers the strongest chance to unlock a New Ireland’s economic potential, unveiling the ‘Success by Design’ paper with proposals for an all‑island infrastructure fund, stronger rail links, skills alignment and a Ministry for a New Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Launch of SDLP Success by Design policy paper Original release: SDLP: Single Irish state can unlock our economic potential (opens in a new tab)