Latest releases
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4,777 releases
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McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the latest hospital waiting list figures, showing over 542,000 people awaiting a first outpatient appointment and more than 174,000 waiting over two years, raise doubts about whether the Executive treats the backlog as a priority.
Health Issue: Latest hospital waiting list figures for outpatient appointments Original release: McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance South Belfast MLAs call for urgent action to restore Rosetta Primary School Hall
Alliance South Belfast MLAs Kate Nicholl and Paula Bradshaw call on the Education Authority to prioritise and fast-track repairs to the closed school hall at Rosetta Primary School, saying the prolonged closure is disrupting assemblies, daily school life and community events.
Education Issue: Rosetta Primary School hall closure and repairs delay Original release: Alliance South Belfast MLAs call for urgent action to restore Rosetta Primary School Hall (opens in a new tab)
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Bill to support Irish-medium education passes first stage – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says his Irish Medium Education Bill has passed its first stage in the Assembly. He says Irish-medium schools struggle to recruit teachers, SEN and early years staff, and calls for the Department of Education to plan the Irish-medium workforce with evidence, targets and…
Education Issue: Irish Medium Education Bill passes first stage in Assembly Original release: Bill to support Irish-medium education passes first stage – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Calls for Urgent Action on Eating Disorder Services
DUP MLA Diane Dodds calls on the Health Minister to set a firm timetable for upgrading the regional eating disorder service, noting an outline business case awaits Finance review under Action 29d of the Mental Health Strategy.
Health Issue: Eating disorder service enhancement timetable ahead of Awareness Week debate Original release: Dodds Calls for Urgent Action on Eating Disorder Services (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister should accept he got it wrong and scrap reform agenda – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says the Education Minister's revised statement repackages AS-level proposals already rejected by the public, and objects to moving most GCSEs to end-of-course exams. He urges Paul Givan to scrap the reform agenda and focus on SEN provision, underachievement and childcare…
Education Issue: Education Minister's AS-level and GCSE assessment reform statement Original release: Education Minister should accept he got it wrong and scrap reform agenda – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: PSNI officers abusing position for sexual purposes reinforces need for cultural change
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath, a Policing Board member, says the high number of officers abusing their position for sexual purposes shows a need for cultural change in the PSNI, following the Police Ombudsman's report on the issue. He calls for the Justice Minister to confirm when legislation for faster…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on sexual misconduct by PSNI officers Original release: McGrath: PSNI officers abusing position for sexual purposes reinforces need for cultural change (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan demands urgent action on dangerous A5 road conditions
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan calls on the Department for Infrastructure to act immediately on the deteriorating A5, citing large potholes, blocked gullies and standing water that he says have led to drivers losing control.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: McCrossan demands urgent action on dangerous A5 road conditions (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty expresses disappointment at lack of timeline for school bus safety laws
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA says he is disappointed the Infrastructure Minister gave no clear timeline for school bus safety legislation. He calls for a law banning overtaking stationary school buses while children board or leave, citing further accidents since…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister's lack of timeline for school bus safety legislation Original release: McNulty expresses disappointment at lack of timeline for school bus safety laws (opens in a new tab)
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£390m Barnett boost welcome but waste and inefficiency must be tackled
UUP Finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes an extra £390m in Barnett consequentials from the Chancellor's Spring Estimates, but says inefficiency and failure to reform public spending undermine services. He cites the Fiscal Council's criticism and calls the Department for…
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Chancellor's Spring Estimates Barnett consequentials for Northern Ireland Original release: £390m Barnett boost welcome but waste and inefficiency must be tackled (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison raises concerns on Education Minister’s plans for qualification reform
Alliance Party Education Spokesperson and Education Committee Chair Nick Mathison MLA raises concerns about the Education Minister's qualifications reforms, particularly the decision to remove AS Level qualifications, which he says goes against the wishes of teachers and young people.
Education Issue: Education Minister's AS-level and GCSE assessment reform statement Original release: Mathison raises concerns on Education Minister’s plans for qualification reform (opens in a new tab)
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‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls for a step change in endometriosis services in the north after new figures show average diagnosis waiting times of nearly 10 years. She urges the Health Minister to set up specialist endometriosis services and work with Dublin on an all-island approach.
Health Disability and equality Issue: New figures on endometriosis diagnosis waiting times Original release: ‘Stark’ endometriosis waiting times highlight need for change – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Minister’s delay to A1 scheme puts road users at continued risk, says Tennyson
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson criticises the Infrastructure Minister's decision to push back Phase 2 of the A1 road safety scheme by 12 months, citing a legal appeal linked to the A5, and urges the Minister to proceed without further delay.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister's 12-month delay to A1 Phase 2 safety scheme Original release: Minister’s delay to A1 scheme puts road users at continued risk, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens
Alliance councillor Tara Brooks voices concern that Belfast City Council's plan to move a community garden and an EU-funded UPSURGE environmental project from Botanic Gardens for a sports pitch lacks transparency. She says her proposal to pause the decision for more information was ignored and…
Local government Environment and climate Issue: Botanic Gardens community garden relocation for new sports pitch Original release: Brooks expresses concern at lack of transparency and consideration around plans for Botanic Gardens (opens in a new tab)
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Horrifying reports of AI-generated abuse of disabled people highlights need for regulation, says Nicholl
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl calls for AI regulation after reports that Meta is investigating accounts sharing AI-generated sexualised content degrading disabled people. She says she will bring an amendment to the Justice Bill banning tools built to create non-consensual sexually explicit images.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Meta investigation into AI-generated sexualised content of disabled people Original release: Horrifying reports of AI-generated abuse of disabled people highlights need for regulation, says Nicholl (opens in a new tab)
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Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy welcomes the Executive's sign-off on repeal legislation that would permanently halt oil and gas exploration and licensing in the north, including fracking. She says it aligns the region with the rest of the island and will protect Fermanagh communities.
Environment and climate Issue: Executive approval of Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill Original release: Murphy welcomes Executive approval to permanently end Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (opens in a new tab)
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Aontú Ard Fheis On Saturday The 7th Of March in Portlaoise
Aontú says it will hold its 2026 Ard Fheis in Portlaoise on 7 March, with hundreds of delegates expected to debate well over 100 policy motions. Party leader Tóibín cites growth in membership, representation and polling, and plans for 2027 Stormont and local elections.
Other Infrastructure and transport Original release: Aontú Ard Fheis On Saturday The 7th Of March in Portlaoise (opens in a new tab)
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Doctors’ testimony of impact of genocide on Gaza healthcare system harrowing – Cullen
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen describes testimony from Palestinian and British doctors on Gaza's healthcare system as harrowing, condemns Israel's blocking of medical treatment and evacuations, and calls for stronger global pressure to enforce international law.
International affairs Health Issue: Westminster briefing on impact of Gaza conflict on healthcare Original release: Doctors’ testimony of impact of genocide on Gaza healthcare system harrowing – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Huge support for all pupils having the option to wear trousers – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes the strongly positive response to a survey by the Education Committee on a plan guaranteeing all pupils the right to wear trousers, with about 98% in favour. She says the School Uniform Bill was a missed opportunity and calls for it to pass before next year's…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Committee survey on pupils' right to wear trousers Original release: Huge support for all pupils having the option to wear trousers – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons welcomes appointment of contractor for £2million Environmental…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons welcomes the appointment of contractor Northstone to build a £2million Environmental Improvement Scheme in Rathfriland, Gilford and Markethill, with works starting in Rathfriland in mid-March.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: £2million Environmental Improvement Scheme contractor appointment in Rathfriland, Gilford and Markethill Original release: Lyons welcomes appointment of contractor for £2million Environmental… (opens in a new tab)
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Bilingual signage at Ulster University students’ union ‘another positive step for equality’ – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes Ulster University's decision to install bilingual Irish and English signage across its students' union, citing a 2018 student vote, and commends Irish language campaigners for their work.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Ulster University students' union bilingual signage installation Original release: Bilingual signage at Ulster University students’ union ‘another positive step for equality’ – Delargy (opens in a new tab)