Latest releases
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2,489 releases
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Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the sentences for two men convicted of illegal dumping at Mobuoy dump near Derry are too lenient, given the £40 m profit, water‑supply risk, A6 delay and up to £700 m cleanup cost, and calls for a full public inquiry and investment to make the site safe.
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Sentencing of two men for Mobuoy dump illegal dumping Original release: Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump (opens in a new tab)
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Conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland
Sinn Féin held a conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland, where speakers highlighted gaps in mental health, disability and elderly services, long diagnostic waits and underfunded counselling. Delegates voted to support a Citizens Assembly on Health and called for all‑island, free‑at‑point‑of‑
Health Issue: Health and Care in a New Ireland conference Original release: Conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong
UUP economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA warns that Department for the Economy rules excluding interconnector-imported renewable power from 2030 targets could classify Scottish wind as fossil fuel, and calls for an urgent review.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy renewable energy accounting rules on interconnector imports Original release: Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Patient safety has to be at forefront of measures taken in Belfast Trust – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee chair Philip McGuigan says patient safety and staff support must come first in the Health Department's response to Belfast Trust Cardiac Services. He welcomes the Health Minister's Departmental Accountability Team and Level 5 accountability for the Trust, and…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: Patient safety has to be at forefront of measures taken in Belfast Trust – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Derry Housing Action Committee March and Rally 1pm Saturday June 14
People Before Profit's Councillor Shaun Harkin backs a new Derry Housing Action Committee march and rally on Saturday 14 June, calling on Stormont to act on the housing crisis, rents and homelessness, and says a people power movement is key to shifting government priorities.
Housing Issue: Derry Housing Action Committee march and rally, 14 June Original release: Derry Housing Action Committee March and Rally 1pm Saturday June 14 (opens in a new tab)
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Intervention into Belfast Trust must be radical and comprehensive:…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds welcomes the Health Minister's response on cardiac surgery at the Belfast Trust but says it came too late and calls for intervention that is radical and comprehensive. She links the issues to Trust management costs of £63 million and asks what cardiac surgeon…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: Intervention into Belfast Trust must be radical and comprehensive:… (opens in a new tab)
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Executive’s Housing Budget Fails Northern Ireland’s Most Vulnerable
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall condemns the Executive for cutting the social housing budget, saying the Department for Communities cannot meet basic commitments and must cut new social homes. She calls on the Executive to review its priorities.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Social housing budget shortfall and fewer than 1,000 starts this year Original release: Executive’s Housing Budget Fails Northern Ireland’s Most Vulnerable (opens in a new tab)
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The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes action on Belfast Health Trust - Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the Health Minister's decision to raise the performance accountability process for the Belfast Trust to level five and to form an intervention team with senior leadership experts. He also commends Mike Nesbitt for his recent interventions on…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes action on Belfast Health Trust - Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Belfast City Councillors propose free leisure activity for residents
Alliance Belfast City Councillors Hedley Abernethy and Micky Murray propose one free leisure activity for Belfast residents at council leisure facilities, aiming to encourage physical activity. The proposal was put to the People and Communities Committee in May 2025 and is part of Alliance's 100…
Local government Health Original release: Alliance Belfast City Councillors propose free leisure activity for residents (opens in a new tab)
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DoH must take more active role in maintaining accountability across Trusts, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls for clarity on the Department of Health's role in the Belfast Trust's accountability process, now raised to Level 5, after bullying allegations in cardiac surgery. She asks the Health Minister to answer MLAs' questions in the Assembly.
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: DoH must take more active role in maintaining accountability across Trusts, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Bullying endemic within our health service
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says bullying is endemic across the North's health service, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced special measures for the Belfast Trust over Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiac Unit reports. He calls for the Minister to address wider…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: McGrath: Bullying endemic within our health service (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons commits to ‘doing things differently’ in initial Budget…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons sets out initial 2025-26 budget allocations, including £3.7m extra for homelessness and supporting people, £2.8m for care-leaver accommodation, and reforms to Discretionary Support Grant to tackle fraud.
Public finance and taxation Housing Issue: Communities Minister initial 2025-26 budget allocations Original release: Lyons commits to ‘doing things differently’ in initial Budget… (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Executive failing to deal with housing crisis
SDLP Communities spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA says the Executive is failing on housing after Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed 2025 house-building targets will be missed. He calls for a clear plan from the Minister to meet the 100,000-home target, citing nearly 50,000 people on…
Housing Issue: Communities Minister confirms 2025 house-building targets will be missed Original release: McCrossan: Executive failing to deal with housing crisis (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin calls for urgent funding to create Northern Ireland’s first specialist Mother and Baby Unit, saying the continued reliance on general psychiatric wards separates mothers from infants and reflects a broader failure to prioritise women’s health.
Health Disability and equality Original release: McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole slams Finance Minister’s complacency on housing failure
SDLP Leader of Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Finance Minister John O'Dowd of complacency over a social housing budget shortfall that could leave fewer than 1,000 social homes started this year. He says the minister shamelessly asked the public to be grateful despite missing the Programme…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Social housing budget shortfall and fewer than 1,000 starts this year Original release: O’Toole slams Finance Minister’s complacency on housing failure (opens in a new tab)
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Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Alliance councillor Jessica Johnston has been installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the first Alliance representative to hold the role. She says she will promote youth political engagement, sport and exercise, and the Macmillan Move More Programme for…
Local government Health Original release: Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew says a recent inspection report into the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit is shocking but not surprising, claiming healthcare staff widely fear speaking out and lack trust in whistleblowing protections. He backs his own proposed individual duty of candour…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers Have Found Their Voice – The Minister Must Listen or Go
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says farmers at the NAP consultation event in Greenmount rejected proposals that must be withdrawn, criticising Minister Muir's absence and Department officials' lack of answers on water quality and food security.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: NAP consultation event at Greenmount Original release: Farmers Have Found Their Voice – The Minister Must Listen or Go (opens in a new tab)
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Suicide Prevention Training Bill will ensure support and timely intervention – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn announces a proposed bill that would impose a legal duty on public employers to train frontline staff in suicide prevention, citing high suicide rates and higher risk in deprived areas.
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Chambers welcomes publication of further waiting list plans
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the publication of a funded plan to tackle hospital waiting lists and the reopening of the £10m reimbursement scheme for patients waiting two years or more to have surgery in the Republic. He criticises DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA's…
Health Issue: Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme reopening and waiting list implementation plan Original release: Chambers welcomes publication of further waiting list plans (opens in a new tab)