Latest releases
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2,614 releases
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Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee Chair Philip McGuigan welcomes the confirmed expansion of bowel cancer screening to younger people from November, saying earlier detection can save lives. He says full coverage for those aged 50 and over will not arrive until 2031 and will keep pressing for it…
Health Original release: Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Butler announces major expansion of bowel cancer screening programme
UUP Health Minister Robbie Butler announces a phased widening of bowel cancer screening invitations, starting with those aged 59 from 2 November 2026, 58-year-olds from April 2027, and full eligibility for ages 50 to 74 by 2031.
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McAllister welcomes expansion of bowel cancer screening, emphasising need to ensure access to genetic testing as part of preventative approach
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the extension of bowel cancer screening invitations to people aged 59 from November 2026 and 58-year-olds from April 2027. She calls for the phased age reduction to be completed quickly and for wider family access to genetic testing.
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The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the DUP and Sinn Féin benefit from community division over the Drumcree-linked Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road, claiming it distracts from hospital closures, housing and cost of living. He calls the decision to allow the march the most destabilising since…
Community relations and legacy Health Original release: The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin opposed to conversion therapy – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey says the party opposes conversion therapy during the Second Stage debate on the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill. She says Sinn Féin will keep engaging with the Bill sponsor to make the legislation fit for purpose.
Disability and equality Original release: Sinn Féin opposed to conversion therapy – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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March for Clean Water: Stormont
People Before Profit calls on people from across the North to join a march at Stormont on 26 September demanding urgent action on toxic algae in Lough Neagh and drinking water quality. It blames intensive agriculture, data centres and underfunding of NI Water for the pollution.
Environment and climate Original release: March for Clean Water: Stormont (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes DAERA financial mitigation for Lough Neagh fishermen
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes DAERA's three-year financial support scheme for Lough Neagh fishermen during the ongoing moratorium, but says it falls short of full compensation for lost income. He calls for sustained work with the fishing cooperative, the wider fishing community and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Original release: Kearney welcomes DAERA financial mitigation for Lough Neagh fishermen (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme
UUP reports Health Minister Robbie Butler has announced £500,000 to extend the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme for another year, funding voluntary groups to offer free support to people on HSCNI waiting lists. Applications open 25 September 2026 and close 6 November 2026.
Health Original release: Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Trust, Minister and Department must find solutions to Daisy Hill Maternity crisis – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes calls on the Southern Trust, the health department and the Health Minister to find workable fixes for the Daisy Hill maternity crisis, saying local expectant mothers are anxious and warning of patient safety risks over capacity and travel times.
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Minister needs to fulfil promise of transparency and communication:…
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the Health Minister must deliver on promised transparency after he failed to answer questions at the Health Committee on the youngest puberty blocker recipient and the Maternity Hospital handover review. She claims bowel screening and thrombectomy announcements were hard…
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Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA says the UK Government's latest funding package is not fair or sufficient despite its movement, calls for an agreed multi-year Budget, and urges the Secretary of State to stay open to further targeted support rather than threatening to set spending…
Public finance and taxation Health Original release: Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair (opens in a new tab)
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Mick Hammond, Killiney-Shankill
Aontú's Mick Hammond, its candidate for Killiney-Shankill, presents his background, including his career, trade union activity and Republican views, and endorses Peadar Tóibín's call to end means testing of the carers allowance.
Constitutional affairs Health Original release: Mick Hammond, Killiney-Shankill (opens in a new tab)
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Inquiry on Cross-departmental funding for Suicide prevention launched – Flynn
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Inquiry on Cross-departmental funding for Suicide prevention launched – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Paul Lawless Launches Mayo Bones Bus to Help Orthopaedic Patients Access Treatment
Aontú TD Paul Lawless announces the Mayo Bones Bus, an initiative to help people with hip, knee and other bone or joint conditions obtain information on cross-border treatment options amid long orthopaedic waiting lists. It follows his Mayo Cataract Bus, with an information session planned in…
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Carroll Brings Toxic Lough Neagh Water into Assembly Chamber: "Would any MLA Take a Sip?"
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll brought a jar of algae-contaminated Lough Neagh water into the Assembly chamber, challenging Executive ministers over the lough's pollution crisis and accusing the DUP of stoking sectarian tension around Drumcree. He also promotes a clean-water march at…
Environment and climate Original release: Carroll Brings Toxic Lough Neagh Water into Assembly Chamber: "Would any MLA Take a Sip?" (opens in a new tab)
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Maternity announcement demands answers from Health Minister
DUP representatives call for urgent clarity after the Southern Trust announced changes to maternity care at Daisy Hill, asking whether this is a wider reduction in services and whether the Health Minister will set out the clinical basis and duration.
Health Original release: Maternity announcement demands answers from Health Minister (opens in a new tab)
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SAVE DAISY HILL MATERNITY – DON’T LET “TEMPORARY” BECOME FOREVER
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Urgent action needed on Daisy Hill maternity – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins urges the Health Minister to act on the crisis at Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services, calling for recruitment of clinical staff, including from other Trusts and across the island, and warning against relocating services to Craigavon.
Health Original release: Urgent action needed on Daisy Hill maternity – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Margaret Anne McKillop, The Glens
Aontú presents Margaret Anne McKillop, a candidate for The Glens, as a Cushendall resident who champions early support for children with additional learning needs. She has set up a parents' group for families of autistic children and brought a council motion to make local services more…
Education Disability and equality Original release: Margaret Anne McKillop, The Glens (opens in a new tab)
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Taylor: Priority must be to keep consultant-led maternity care at Daisy Hill
UUP Councillor David Taylor says retaining inpatient maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital must be the priority after the Southern Trust flagged medical workforce pressures. He calls for a full explanation from the Trust, an urgent meeting on workforce planning, and clear conditions for any…