Latest releases
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2,488 releases
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Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney
SDLP... no, Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney urges the Agriculture Minister to set up a crisis support fund for eel fishermen after commercial eel fishing on Lough Neagh was suspended for the rest of the 2025 season. He also says the Irish government must engage directly, including meeting local…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh commercial eel fishing suspended for remainder of 2025 season Original release: Minister must urgently establish financial support scheme for commercial fishermen – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Western Trust must scrap SWAH consultation
SDLP councillor Adam Gannon, Group Leader on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, says the Western Trust must scrap its consultation on ending emergency general surgery at Enniskillen's South West Acute Hospital after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt asked it to pause. He links the intervention to…
Health Issue: Health Minister orders Western Trust to halt SWAH emergency surgery consultation Original release: Gannon: Western Trust must scrap SWAH consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Onus now on Western Trust to rebuild public confidence – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says the Western Trust must rebuild public confidence after the Health Minister ordered it to halt the South West Acute Hospital consultation on ending emergency general surgery there. She says only two events were held, not the comprehensive process she called for, and…
Health Issue: Health Minister orders Western Trust to halt SWAH emergency surgery consultation Original release: Onus now on Western Trust to rebuild public confidence – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls on the Health Minister to urgently confirm a date for funding the new Birch Hill mental health complex in Antrim, after visiting Holywell Hospital and describing its deteriorating buildings as unfit for purpose.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Holywell Hospital visit and Birch Hill mental health funding delay Original release: Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation event postponement creates further anxiety to people of Fermanagh – Cullen
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Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says an eight-week minimum wait for diagnostic clinic investigation of a red flag breast cancer referral is extremely concerning and far exceeds the 14-day target. She has written to the Health Minister and calls on him to act now to reduce waits.
Health Issue: Red flag breast cancer referral waiting times at diagnostic clinics Original release: Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says serious public safety concerns remain over a bonfire site in south Belfast's Village area after more asbestos was reportedly found there. He calls for a factual assessment of the asbestos and questions why the PSNI decided not to intervene.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: ‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls for political and community leaders, including unionists, to act to stop a planned hazardous bonfire in the Village in West Belfast, and urges the PSNI to take immediate action. He warns it threatens hospital power supplies and could release asbestos.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's Reset Plan lacks detail and needs direct action on waiting lists, staff pay and community services. He criticises proposed charges and budget cuts made without public consultation.
Health Issue: Health Minister's Reset Plan publication Original release: McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans
SDLP councillor Adam Gannon, Group Leader on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, calls for extra public meetings in the region during the consultation on removing emergency surgery from Enniskillen's hospital, noting the Enniskillen event filled within two days. He also asks Health Minister Mike…
Health Issue: Western Trust consultation on removing Emergency General Surgery at SWAH Original release: Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan describes a bonfire in south Belfast's Village area as extremely concerning, citing nearby asbestos and risks to power supply at City and Royal Victoria Hospitals. He calls for urgent action and says Sinn Féin would support removing bonfire materials if safeguards cannot…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says environmental crime is not being taken seriously enough after the PPS decided not to appeal sentences for two men convicted over illegal dumping at Mobuoy near Derry. He calls on the Environment Minister and Justice Minister to urgently review sentencing…
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: PPS decision not to appeal Mobuoy illegal dumping sentences Original release: Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime (opens in a new tab)
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Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA welcomes the European Commission's more flexible 2040 climate target and calls for a co-designed Rural Climate and Energy Roadmap for Northern Ireland, with cross-departmental leadership and support for anaerobic digestion.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: European Commission 2040 climate target of 90% emissions reduction Original release: Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning (opens in a new tab)
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3,000 new wastewater connections unlocked in Derry positive news – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement that 3,000 new homes in Derry can connect to the wastewater system, funded by £11 million from the June monitoring round. She says upgrading ageing wastewater infrastructure remains a party priority.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Derry 3,000 homes wastewater connections announcement by Infrastructure Minister Original release: 3,000 new wastewater connections unlocked in Derry positive news – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year
Alliance Alderman Richard Stewart, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, welcomes Portstewart Strand being ranked the top beach in the UK and Northern Ireland in a Times and Sunday Times guide, praising its scenery, water quality and community spirit.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Portstewart Strand ranked UK top beach in Times and Sunday Times guide Original release: Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year (opens in a new tab)
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Environment and Nature Restoration Bill Consultation Responses
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says his Private Member's Bill would set binding environmental targets for air, water, soil and biodiversity, and calls for DAERA to set long-term and interim targets that public authorities must meet. He cites high air pollution levels.
Environment and climate Issue: Environment and Nature Restoration Bill public consultation responses Original release: Environment and Nature Restoration Bill Consultation Responses (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole questions why Environment Minister Andrew Muir has not intervened at a bonfire site near Meridi Street in south Belfast containing asbestos. He calls on Muir to direct the NIEA to remove the risk before the bonfire is lit this week.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire (opens in a new tab)
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All-Island Housing Demo
People Before Profit backs Saturday's all-island housing demonstration and urges a large turnout to push the Dáil and Stormont on homelessness, eviction bans and support for Gerry Carroll's People's Housing Bill. It cites a CATU call for an eviction ban, an end to direct provision and Traveller…
Housing Issue: All-island housing demonstration on Saturday Original release: All-Island Housing Demo (opens in a new tab)
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GP dispute must be resolved to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to meet GP representatives urgently and work towards a swift resolution to the dispute, after GP partners voted in favour of collective action over funding. He says pressure on GPs is affecting patients' access to appointments.
Health Issue: GP partners vote for collective action over funding dispute Original release: GP dispute must be resolved to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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European Parliament recognises that Irish environment knows no borders
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan welcomes the European Parliament's Environment Committee adopting her amendment recognising the island of Ireland as a single ecological unit. The amendment, part of an opinion on the post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreement, also calls for more cooperation through Good Friday…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: European Parliament Environment Committee adopts Boylan amendment on Ireland's ecology Original release: European Parliament recognises that Irish environment knows no borders (opens in a new tab)