Latest releases
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3,441 releases
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Flexibility, not radio ultimatums, needed to end budget deadlock – Aiken
UUP finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA urges the Secretary of State and Executive to drop public sparring and agree a budget, warning that nurses and health workers face continued pay delays and an RCN ballot on industrial action.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Northern Ireland budget deadlock and health pay award delay Original release: Flexibility, not radio ultimatums, needed to end budget deadlock – Aiken (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Long issues ‘direct call’ to political leaders to agree Cross-Party Compact on health reform
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA urges the leaders of all Assembly parties to forge a joint agreement on health and social care transformation, warning that long waiting lists, missed cancer targets and chronic hospital corridor delays risk total system collapse.
Health Issue: Ten‑year anniversary of the Bengoa report Original release: Long issues ‘direct call’ to political leaders to agree Cross-Party Compact on health reform (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation
SDLP Opposition challenges the Executive over delayed racial equality legislation after record race hate incidents and crimes in 2025/26, and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain the delay. Its Black History Month Opposition Day motion also recognised black communities.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Executive delay to racial equality legislation following record race hate figures Original release: SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says he will vote against the Education Minister's amendments to the Holiday Meal Payments Bill at Further Consideration Stage and back the Education Committee's amendments, so payments are never below a school dinner's cost.
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill Further Consideration Stage amendments Original release: Carroll: Reject Givan’s Delay Tactics. Make Sure No Child Goes Hungry (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Baby Loss Awareness week opportunity to help break the silence – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan says Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity to help break the silence, after hosting a remembrance event at Stormont. She thanks bereaved families and support organisations and welcomes baby loss certificate legislation, noting over 8,000 certificates have been issued.
Health Original release: Baby Loss Awareness week opportunity to help break the silence – Dolan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Executive Office must refocus on issues associated with population ageing, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA responds to the Commissioner for Older People's ageing population report, urging the First and deputy First Minister to shift focus to demographic change. She says they have not mentioned issues such as dementia prevalence, social housing…
Health Issue: Commissioner for Older People "Ready or Not" ageing population report Original release: Executive Office must refocus on issues associated with population ageing, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty presents a petition of over 6,500 signatures to the Assembly calling for CAR-T cancer treatment to be available in Northern Ireland. He calls on the Executive to commission a local service and work with the Irish Government on all-island access in the…
Health Issue: CAR-T cancer treatment petition presented to Northern Ireland Assembly Original release: McNulty presents 6,500-signature petition calling for CAR-T treatment closer to home (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter Condemns Minister's Cynical Attempt to Evade Departmental Scrutiny
SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA accuses the Education Minister of avoiding accountability by pulling Department officials from Education Committee scrutiny. She calls on the Committee to hear from academics, experts and civil society instead.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Hunter Condemns Minister's Cynical Attempt to Evade Departmental Scrutiny (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Wear more clothes advice shows how out of touch the Education Authority has become
UUP Education Spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA criticises Education Authority advice telling pupils and staff to "wear more clothes" over rising energy costs, calling for the guidance to be revised for pupils with sensory needs and for the Department to engage with the Education Committee.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority "wear more clothes" energy cost advice to schools Original release: Wear more clothes advice shows how out of touch the Education Authority has become (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Neurology Services must be properly funded, says McReynolds
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds says £2.3 million in new neurology funding, announced alongside a Neurology Delivery Team, falls far short of the over £65m the Department's Regional Review said is needed. He calls on the Health Minister to act urgently to fully fund neurology services.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister's Neurology Delivery Team and £2.3m funding announcement Original release: Neurology Services must be properly funded, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Middleton marks October 7 anniversary
DUP MLA Julie Middleton marks the third anniversary of October 7, remembering victims and hostages and condemning antisemitism in Northern Ireland. She cites the exclusion of Israeli athletes from a Londonderry triathlon as a shameful moment and says antisemitism must be named and confronted every…
Disability and equality International affairs Original release: Middleton marks October 7 anniversary (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 7 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Opening of AMIC a key driver for investment and advanced technology – Kearney
Economy and employment Education Original release: Opening of AMIC a key driver for investment and advanced technology – Kearney (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies
Alliance Belfast Councillor Christine Bower welcomes the committee passage of her motion to make public spaces safer for people with severe allergies, ahead of full council ratification next month. She proposes child-friendly hand-washing signage at play parks, better-placed waste bins, staff…
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on safer public spaces for severe allergies Original release: Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Ratcliffe supports Ladies with Letters’ demand for truth and accountability
TUV Councillor Keith Ratcliffe backs Ladies with Letters' call for an independent statutory public inquiry into the cervical screening scandal, after letters were delivered to MLAs at Stormont. He urges the Health Minister to reverse the May refusal of an inquiry.
Health Issue: Ladies with Letters cervical screening inquiry demand at Stormont Original release: Ratcliffe supports Ladies with Letters’ demand for truth and accountability (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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If John O’Dowd can condemn abuse, why can’t the First Minister? –…
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine challenges First Minister Michelle O'Neill to condemn abuse and threats against Carla Lockhart MP and Diane Dodds MLA, contrasting her refusal with John O'Dowd's condemnation and urging her to tell those responsible to stop.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Abuse and threats against Carla Lockhart MP and Diane Dodds MLA Original release: If John O’Dowd can condemn abuse, why can’t the First Minister? –… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 6 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes delivery of 24/7 thrombectomy service
Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan, North Antrim MLA and health spokesperson, welcomes the rollout of a round-the-clock thrombectomy stroke service across the North, saying patients are already benefiting. He pays tribute to specialist stroke teams and campaigners.
Health Issue: 24/7 thrombectomy stroke service introduction across Northern Ireland Original release: McGuigan welcomes delivery of 24/7 thrombectomy service (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop
SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid says personal abuse aimed at female public representatives, both online and in person, has to end. She says challenging misogyny must apply even to politicians whose views one opposes, and that such abuse deters people from entering public life.
Disability and equality Original release: McDaid: Abuse of women in public life must stop (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows: Permanent Secretary's no-show undermines accountability at the Assembly
UUP leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA criticises the Permanent Secretary's decision not to attend the Education Committee's meeting, calling it unacceptable and an erosion of Assembly accountability. He calls for a swift end to the dispute and urges the Minister to drop the boycott.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Burrows: Permanent Secretary's no-show undermines accountability at the Assembly (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Public entitled to answers from the Education Minister and Department, says Guy
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA calls for the Education Minister and his department to give answers after Education Committee members were told the Permanent Secretary will miss tomorrow's meeting.
Education Issue: Education Minister withdraws officials from Education Committee appearances Original release: Public entitled to answers from the Education Minister and Department, says Guy (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Neill's silence on abuse of DUP women is breathtaking - McIlveen
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA accuses First Minister Michelle O'Neill of double standards for refusing to condemn intimidation and misogynistic abuse aimed at party colleagues Lockhart and Dodds during an Assembly sitting on the Garvaghy Road.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: First Minister's Assembly appearance over Garvaghy Road events Original release: O'Neill's silence on abuse of DUP women is breathtaking - McIlveen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 5 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)