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4,740 releases
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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)
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Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds says Health Minister's position on the puberty blocker trial defies logic, accusing the Ulster Unionist Party of reversing its support within 24 hours. She calls for the trial to be permanently ended, not just paused.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Puberty blockers trial never justified and should be permanently… (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the First Minister's reply to her Question Time question on veterans was dismissive and offensive. She calls for devolved services such as housing, health and employment support to better recognise the barriers veterans and their families face from repeated deployments and…
Health Issue: First Minister's Question Time reply on veterans support Original release: Dodds Challenges First Minister Over Veterans Support (opens in a new tab)
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Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says the lack of accurate, consistent mental‑health data in the north hampers service planning and delivery, and calls for a single, standardised data system to help health trusts better plan and support those in need.
Health Issue: Sinn Féin motion for single mental health data system Original release: Consistent mental health data needed to support those struggling – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna condemns racist graffiti
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP condemns racist graffiti on the Bass Buildings in Alfred Street, Belfast, which a Belfast Asian Women's Academy representative said contained a death threat. She says racism and hate are on the rise and calls for a society-wide response.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti found at Belfast city centre residential building Original release: Hanna condemns racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole challenges First Minister on Sinn Féin failure to support Ukraine
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA challenges First Minister Michelle O'Neill in the Assembly over Sinn Féin MEPs voting against a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine. He says Sinn Féin cannot reconcile that stance with skipping the St Patrick's Day events in Washington.
International affairs Constitutional affairs Issue: European Parliament vote on €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine Original release: O’Toole challenges First Minister on Sinn Féin failure to support Ukraine (opens in a new tab)
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Sexual crimes during the Troubles must be addressed in the Legacy Bill
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA says he will table a motion on 17 February urging the Government to add sexual crimes as a specific criterion in the Legacy Commission Bill’s Troubles investigation, and calls on the First and Deputy First Minister to back it.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy Commission Bill – inclusion of sexual crimes Original release: Sexual crimes during the Troubles must be addressed in the Legacy Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Racist graffiti in Bass Buildings reinforces cost of inaction on tackling racism, says Bradshaw
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA says racist graffiti found in a Belfast city centre residential building shows the cost of inaction on racism, blaming the First and deputy First Minister for failing to act. She calls for an update to the Race Relations Order and a Racial Equality Strategy.
Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti found at Belfast city centre residential building Original release: Racist graffiti in Bass Buildings reinforces cost of inaction on tackling racism, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers
TUV equality spokeswoman Ann McClure welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's reversal on Northern Ireland's role in the puberty blocker trial but says he must explain how the decision was made and reversed. Party colleague Timothy Gaston is seeking an urgent Assembly answer from the Minister, and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Committee Performs Embarrassing Climbdown
DUP South Antrim MLA Pam Cameron welcomes the Communities Committee's decision to drop its plan to contact the UK Secretary of State about the DfC Minister, after Assembly legal advice. She says the Committee should also have apologised to the Minister.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Communities Committee rescinds plan to write to Secretary of State about DfC Minister Original release: Communities Committee Performs Embarrassing Climbdown (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin bill removes barriers to accessing social housing – Eoin Ó Broin TD
Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, with Louise O'Reilly and Mark Ward, has introduced the Social Housing Passport Bill 2026 in the Dáil. It would let people move between local authority housing lists and keep their years on the list in cases such as domestic violence, employment or medical needs, and…
Housing Local government Issue: Social Housing Passport Bill 2026 introduced in the Dáil Original release: Sinn Féin bill removes barriers to accessing social housing – Eoin Ó Broin TD (opens in a new tab)
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A united Ireland must be shared, inclusive, and welcoming – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says he hosted a Westminster panel on the fracturing of the Union from Irish, Scottish and Welsh perspectives, arguing London is out of touch and calling for informed debate ahead of any referendum on a united Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster panel on constitutional change across these islands Original release: A united Ireland must be shared, inclusive, and welcoming – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh councillor Adam Gannon says it is unacceptable that Fermanagh patients face up to 90-minute emergency journeys to Altnagelvin, citing an Assembly answer from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt showing a 2025 average of 1 hour 26 minutes. He calls for immediate local provision…
Health Issue: South West Acute Hospital emergency general surgery removal patient journey times Original release: Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds welcomes the ADHD Needs Assessment Report and its proposals for a commissioned ADHD service across Northern Ireland. He calls on the Minister to act on the recommendations and deliver the support people with the condition need.
Health Disability and equality Issue: ADHD Needs Assessment Report publication and commissioned service proposals Original release: Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart calls for urgent delivery on cancer services after the Secretary of State's response in the Commons, citing about 30 per cent of patients treated within expected timeframes. She demands ring-fenced Barnett consequentials for cancer diagnostics, radiotherapy and…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times and outcomes in the Commons Original release: Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances (opens in a new tab)
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Joanna Byrne TD and Senator Conor Murphy host Oireachtas event on Public Service Media in a united Ireland
Sinn Féin's Joanna Byrne TD and Senator Conor Murphy say they hosted authors of the Public Media Ireland report in the Oireachtas to discuss public sector media under constitutional change, and Byrne has asked the Oireachtas Media Committee to facilitate a discussion on the topic.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Public Media Ireland report presented in the Oireachtas Original release: Joanna Byrne TD and Senator Conor Murphy host Oireachtas event on Public Service Media in a united Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance must stop stamping its feet and start building consensus -…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA responds to Alliance Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir's comments on proposals for a new Environmental Protection Agency, calling on him to seek consensus and bring forward realistic proposals that balance environmental protection with the economy and…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Minister Andrew Muir comments on proposed Environmental Protection Agency Original release: Alliance must stop stamping its feet and start building consensus -… (opens in a new tab)