Latest releases
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3,482 releases
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Alliance’s latest quango proposal an attempt to pass the buck -…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA says the SDLP's motion for a new independent environmental body is a costly distraction that will not improve Lough Neagh water quality or accountability. She argues DAERA cannot fund existing structures and places blame on the Minister.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly motion on Independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: Alliance’s latest quango proposal an attempt to pass the buck -… (opens in a new tab)
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Pat Cullen confirms panel for ‘Delivering Rural Health and Care in a New Ireland’ event in Enniskillen
Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen announces the speakers for a November 26 Enniskillen event on rural healthcare across the island, with Mary Lou McDonald as guest speaker and Cullen chairing a panel including Paula Leonard, Fr Brian D'Arcy and Denzil McDaniel.
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McGrath: NHS still sleepwalking into a winter crisis despite pay deal
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the health service is still heading for a winter crisis despite the staff pay award, blaming Executive dysfunction and a Winter Preparedness Plan published amid delay and criticism. He calls for year-round resilience building and long-term…
Health Issue: Health and social care staff pay award and Winter Preparedness Plan Original release: McGrath: NHS still sleepwalking into a winter crisis despite pay deal (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: AERA Minister must outline plans for independent EPA
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA says the Minister must set out how he will advance an independent Environmental Protection Agency, after the DUP rejected the SDLP’s Opposition Day motion supporting the proposal.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly motion on Independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: McCrossan: AERA Minister must outline plans for independent EPA (opens in a new tab)
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Independent environmental regulator crucial to tackling pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan says an independent environmental regulator is key to tackling environmental damage, ahead of an Assembly motion calling for an Independent Environmental Protection Agency. She says it would reduce pollution and work alongside Executive departments.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly motion on Independent Environmental Protection Agency Original release: Independent environmental regulator crucial to tackling pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna commends President Higgins
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP praised outgoing President Michael D Higgins for his 14‑year term, highlighting his support for the underdog, arts, Irish language and Northern‑Ireland citizens, and said she will attend President‑elect Catherine Connolly’s inauguration.
Other Issue: President Michael D Higgins leaving office Original release: Hanna commends President Higgins (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Emma Little Pengelly MLA
DUP Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly MLA says she cannot accept an invitation to the Irish President's inauguration events on Tuesday, citing commitments in Belfast and Windsor including Remembrance Day. She wishes Catherine Connolly well and hopes to speak with her soon.
Other Issue: Irish President inauguration invitation declined by Deputy First Minister Original release: Statement from Emma Little Pengelly MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Baker slams decision to cut education support for vulnerable children
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker criticises the Education Authority's cuts to Education Otherwise Than at School support for vulnerable children, and says he will raise it in the Assembly next week. He blames DUP Education Ministers for financial mismanagement, and says the Lagan Valley Education Project…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority cuts to Education Otherwise Than at School support Original release: Baker slams decision to cut education support for vulnerable children (opens in a new tab)
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Doug Beattie MC MLA Raises Concerns On Behalf Of The Cawdery Family Regarding Accuracy Of The Justice Minister’s Responses
UUP Justice Spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA raises concerns, on behalf of the Cawdery family, over the Justice Minister's Assembly answers on Thomas McEntee's day release from prison. He says the answers were inaccurate and misleading, and will write to the Minister seeking clarification.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Thomas McEntee day release and Justice Minister's Assembly answers Original release: Doug Beattie MC MLA Raises Concerns On Behalf Of The Cawdery Family Regarding Accuracy Of The Justice Minister’s Responses (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must deliver pay deal quickly – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the Health Minister to move swiftly to finalise a pay agreement for health workers, welcoming the Executive's framework that would bring northern staff pay in line with counterparts in Britain.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of health service pay parity Original release: Health Minister must deliver pay deal quickly – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes pay parity approval for health staff
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Executive's approval of pay parity across the health service as overdue recognition of healthcare workers. She says the Health Minister should have prioritised departmental budget resources for staff pay and calls for a long-term workforce plan.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of health service pay parity Original release: Dodds welcomes pay parity approval for health staff (opens in a new tab)
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Finucane welcomes ‘positive’ £100m Belfast Harbour investment
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane welcomes a Belfast Harbour investment of over £100 million that will see two offshore wind farms developed, which he says could create up to 300 jobs by 2028. He describes it as positive for Belfast's emissions and economic goals.
Economy and employment Environment and climate Issue: Belfast Harbour £100m offshore wind farm investment Original release: Finucane welcomes ‘positive’ £100m Belfast Harbour investment (opens in a new tab)
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Timothy Gaston granted leave to intervene in legal challenge against DFI minister’s imposition of Irish signage at Grand Central Station
TUV welcomes a court decision granting MLA Timothy Gaston leave to intervene in the legal challenge to the infrastructure minister's imposition of Irish-language signage at Grand Central Station. The party says it looks forward to joining the case through his counsel, Emma McIlveen BL.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Grand Central Station Irish signage legal challenge leave to intervene Original release: Timothy Gaston granted leave to intervene in legal challenge against DFI minister’s imposition of Irish signage at Grand Central Station (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath presses Chief Constable on violence against women cases
SDLP Policing Board member and South Down MLA Colin McGrath presses Chief Constable Jon Boutcher on PSNI handling of violence against women and girls, criticising the decision that only one of four officers under Police Ombudsman investigation faces a full misconduct hearing. He calls for…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on officers' conduct during December 2022 arrest Original release: McGrath presses Chief Constable on violence against women cases (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes long overdue pay parity for health staff
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes confirmation of pay parity for health staff, but asks why the Executive and Health Minister took so long to reach it. He says staff should not have had to keep pressing the department, and he wants the Minister to honour his pledge to…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of health service pay parity Original release: McGrath welcomes long overdue pay parity for health staff (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers Welcomes Agreement To Deliver Full Pay Award For Health Workers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the Health Minister's agreement with the Executive to deliver this year's pay award for health workers, backdated in full to 1 April 2025. He says the decision is essential for morale, retention and the health service's sustainability.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms backdated 2025 healthcare pay award Original release: Chambers Welcomes Agreement To Deliver Full Pay Award For Health Workers (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford welcomes £100m Belfast Harbour offshore wind farm investment
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Honeyford welcomes £100m Belfast Harbour offshore wind farm investment (opens in a new tab)
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Confirmation of pay awards welcome despite delay, says McAllister
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes the Health Minister's confirmation that healthcare workers will receive this year's pay award, backdated to 1 April 2025, and praises his commitment to budgeting for pay awards early. She says the months of delay have again undermined staff confidence.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms backdated 2025 healthcare pay award Original release: Confirmation of pay awards welcome despite delay, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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Excuse for removing tri-lingual letterheads ‘bogus’ – McHugh
Sinn Féin MLA Maolíosa McHugh calls the Communities Minister's reason for dropping tri-lingual letterheads 'bogus', saying a written answer showed no savings could be quantified. He accuses the minister of failing to publish an Irish Language Strategy.
Disability and equality Issue: Removal of tri-lingual letterheads from Department for Communities Original release: Excuse for removing tri-lingual letterheads ‘bogus’ – McHugh (opens in a new tab)
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Brownlee welcomes progress on Sensory Room proposals for children’s…
East Antrim MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes the Health Minister's update on a sensory room for the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, following a DUP adjournment debate. She says the Minister asked officials to work with the Belfast Trust on the proposed facility.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Sensory room proposal at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children Original release: Brownlee welcomes progress on Sensory Room proposals for children’s… (opens in a new tab)