Latest releases
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2,611 releases
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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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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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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)
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‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis
Sinn Féin South Down MLA Sinéad Ennis says the party is resigning from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over the foul odour from Refuse Derived Fuel storage and handling at Warrenpoint Port. She says concerns raised on the board were ignored and calls for a complete, permanent end to RDF…
Environment and climate Health Issue: Sinn Féin resignation from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over RDF odour Original release: ‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister urges Minister to get round the table with GPs to ensure delivery of services to public
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to hold urgent talks with GPs after their overwhelming vote for industrial action, which the BMA says followed the minister's imposed funding settlement and contract. She warns patient services are at risk.
Health Issue: GP partners vote for collective action over funding dispute Original release: McAllister urges Minister to get round the table with GPs to ensure delivery of services to public (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Belfast Trust needs systemic reform after its chair's departure, citing a Cardiac Unit workplace culture scandal and the delayed maternity hospital. He urges the Health Minister to appoint a new chair quickly.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust chair departure Original release: McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)
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The problems that have led to the initial service collapse at SWAH have not been fully addressed – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says he is deeply concerned by the Western Trust’s plan to launch a consultation on permanently removing Emergency General Surgery at South West Acute Hospital, noting that the problems that caused the 2022 service collapse have not been fully addressed and urging a thorough,
Health Issue: Western Trust consultation on removing Emergency General Surgery at SWAH Original release: The problems that have led to the initial service collapse at SWAH have not been fully addressed – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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“The Days of Dumping and Disappearing Must End” – Butler Demands Urgent Action on Waste Crime Crisis
UUP MLA Robbie Butler calls for immediate action after a Northern Ireland Audit Office report on waste crime, citing about £34 million in annual costs and only £1 million in court fines since 2019. He urges tougher penalties, asset seizure, cross-border enforcement and a Ministerial Statement from…
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on waste crime Original release: “The Days of Dumping and Disappearing Must End” – Butler Demands Urgent Action on Waste Crime Crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Westminster will never serve the interests of workers and families in Ireland – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says Westminster will never serve workers and families on the island, criticising the chaos over proposed welfare cuts. He calls for continued opposition to cuts and proper investment in welfare and public services, and argues a united Ireland is the best option.
Social security and welfare Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster welfare cuts proposals and parliamentary chaos Original release: Westminster will never serve the interests of workers and families in Ireland – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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International community must step up and support children of Gaza – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen, MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, calls on Britain to issue visas so children from Gaza can receive life-saving medical treatment, after a London briefing on evacuating them and on the damage to Gaza's healthcare system.
International affairs Health Issue: London briefing on evacuating Gaza children for medical treatment Original release: International community must step up and support children of Gaza – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: First Minister must do better on poor delivery record
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says First Minister Michelle O'Neill must improve the Executive's delivery record, citing failures on the A5, Casement Park, Lough Neagh, social housing targets and waiting lists before summer recess.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Original release: O’Toole: First Minister must do better on poor delivery record (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes publication of Protect Life 2 Action Plan
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the publication of the Protect Life 2 Action Plan and Implementation Plan on suicide prevention and self-harm. He says a whole-government approach is needed and that the Minister has listened to an independent review and stakeholder…
Health Issue: Protect Life 2 suicide prevention action plan publication Original release: Chambers welcomes publication of Protect Life 2 Action Plan (opens in a new tab)