Latest releases
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4,524 releases
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O'Toole: Concern for pub sector in rates reval
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole, who chairs the Finance Committee, voices concern that the non-domestic rates revaluation sharply raises valuations for pubs. He calls on LPS and the Department of Finance to work with the trade to avoid unnecessary damage to the hospitality sector.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland rates revaluation impact on pub sector Original release: O'Toole: Concern for pub sector in rates reval (opens in a new tab)
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UKG's Local Growth Fund cruel cuts push sector further into collapse, says Mulholland
Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA says UK Government cuts under the new Local Growth Fund will hit vulnerable people and push the voluntary sector further toward collapse, citing a 64 per cent cut to economic inactivity services. She calls for clarity, planning and transitional…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Government Local Growth Fund funding cuts Original release: UKG's Local Growth Fund cruel cuts push sector further into collapse, says Mulholland (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson Raises Counter-Terror Funding Gap at Westminster
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP challenges the Government over Northern Ireland's exclusion from the Counter-Terrorism Policing Grant, which he says is given to forces across Great Britain. He calls for NI to have access to the grant and says PSNI needs a settled funding arrangement instead of annual…
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Issue: Northern Ireland exclusion from Counter-Terrorism Policing Grant at Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Original release: Robinson Raises Counter-Terror Funding Gap at Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan calls on Health Minister to examine screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan urges the Health Minister to assess introducing newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, citing early diagnosis benefits and a pilot in Scotland, and says the North should not fall behind.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Spinal Muscular Atrophy screening review in Northern Ireland Original release: McCrossan calls on Health Minister to examine screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive failing people on suicide prevention
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive is failing on suicide prevention after 290 registered suicides in 2024, a 31% rise, and calls for cross-departmental funding and fuller backing for the Mental Health Strategy and Protect Life 2. He welcomes a newly opened inquiry into how such…
Health Issue: Cross-party inquiry into suicide prevention funding launched by All-Party Group Original release: Durkan: Executive failing people on suicide prevention (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation on Nature Recovery Strategy a step in the right direction, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the public consultation on the draft Nature Recovery Strategy announced by Minister Muir, calling it a timely step to reverse nature decline and urging public bodies, businesses, farmers and citizens to submit their ideas.
Environment and climate Issue: Draft Northern Ireland Nature Recovery Strategy consultation Original release: Consultation on Nature Recovery Strategy a step in the right direction, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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Tackling poverty central to any effort to raise wellbeing standards, says Bradshaw
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says Northern Ireland wellbeing figures are encouraging overall but show persistent gaps for disabled people and those in deprived circumstances. She calls for early investment in healthcare, housing, education and mental health, and for the Executive…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Individual Wellbeing in Northern Ireland 2024 to 2025 report publication Original release: Tackling poverty central to any effort to raise wellbeing standards, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Casement Park development must match funding available
The DUP's sport spokesman, Stephen Dunne MLA, says the UK Government has clarified its contribution to Casement Park but a large funding gap remains. He says it is now for the GAA to either add funding or scale back its project to fit the money available.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Casement Park funding gap after UK Government contribution clarification Original release: Casement Park development must match funding available (opens in a new tab)
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Casement Park developments expose Stormont delivering for Republicans, not ordinary people
TUV leader Jim Allister says Michelle O'Neill's announcement of preparatory work at Casement Park shows Stormont favours Republicans over ordinary people. He criticises other MLAs for not challenging the over £100 million public funding, and calls for the GAA to repay public money and for profits…
Public finance and taxation Issue: Casement Park preparatory works announcement and public funding Original release: Casement Park developments expose Stormont delivering for Republicans, not ordinary people (opens in a new tab)
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New inquiry launched to improve suicide prevention services in the north – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes a new cross-party inquiry into funding for suicide prevention in the north, set up by the All-Party Group she chairs. She says the inquiry will look at services beyond a purely health-focused approach, involving schools, prisons and youth clubs, and will hear…
Health Issue: Cross-party inquiry into suicide prevention funding launched by All-Party Group Original release: New inquiry launched to improve suicide prevention services in the north – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Mournes must be protected for future generations – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard says the Mourne Mountains must be protected as visitor numbers rise, urging the Stormont Executive to grant regional asset status to secure sustainable investment and safeguard fragile habitats.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Rising visitor numbers to the Mourne Mountains Original release: Mournes must be protected for future generations – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister’s winter preparedness plan has clearly failed
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's winter plan has failed in delivery, pointing to patients on trolleys and long ambulance waits. He calls for urgent action on staff retention, social care pay and safe staffing legislation, and for proper planning for…
Health Issue: Health Minister's winter preparedness plan Original release: McGrath: Health Minister’s winter preparedness plan has clearly failed (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong hits out at official council ‘Irish Unity’ group
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong condemns Fermanagh and Omagh District Council's allocation of up to £20,000 for research by its new 'Irish Unity Working Group', calling it an abuse of council powers and ratepayers' money. She says the council is promoting a single constitutional outcome and that party…
Constitutional affairs Local government Issue: Fermanagh and Omagh council Irish Unity Working Group funding Original release: Armstrong hits out at official council ‘Irish Unity’ group (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Environmental Protection Agency - NOW!
Alliance says the DUP has blocked its plan for an independent Environmental Protection Agency at the Executive, citing Lough Neagh and the Mobuoy illegal dump, and calls on the UK and Irish governments to reform the system via a petition.
Environment and climate Issue: DUP blocks independent Environmental Protection Agency at Executive Original release: Independent Environmental Protection Agency - NOW! (opens in a new tab)
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Parties must continue working together – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says Executive parties must keep working together to deliver public services, citing progress since the Executive's return in February 2024 and calling for a multi-year budget, Programme for Government delivery and opposition to British government cuts.
Public finance and taxation Original release: Parties must continue working together – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Patients and health staff deserve better than winter preparedness delay and disorganisation, says McAllister, ahead of Assembly motion
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says patients and staff deserve better after the Winter Preparedness Plan was published in mid-October, months after it was due in August. She calls for the Health Minister to set a timeline so 2026-27 winter planning starts earlier, with detailed…
Health Issue: Winter Preparedness Plan publication delay Original release: Patients and health staff deserve better than winter preparedness delay and disorganisation, says McAllister, ahead of Assembly motion (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach to paediatric pathology is necessary – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says an all-Ireland approach to paediatric pathology is needed, after an Assembly motion on all-island collaboration passed. She says families currently travelling to England face extra strain, and that recruitment for specialist vacancies has been difficult.
Health Issue: Assembly motion on all-island collaboration for paediatric pathology services Original release: All-island approach to paediatric pathology is necessary – Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes £2 million energy support for low-income households
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes over £2 million in extra Department for the Economy funding, announced by Minister Caoimhe Archibald, to cut energy bills for low-income households through insulation and efficiency measures for over 1,000 homes.
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Department for the Economy £2 million NISEP energy-efficiency funding allocation Original release: Delargy welcomes £2 million energy support for low-income households (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw expresses ongoing concern at inaction by First and deputy First Ministers on key aspects of Covid-19 Inquiry
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says she remains concerned at the lack of visible action by the First and deputy First Minister on the Covid-19 Inquiry, including reforming institutions to respond better to future emergencies.
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Breast cancer waiting times a scandal - Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds says new Department of Health figures, showing only 3.5% of urgently referred women with suspected breast cancer seen within the 14-day target, reveal a failing system. She calls on the Health Minister to set out a plan to expand diagnostic capacity and cut…
Health Issue: Department of Health breast cancer urgent referral waiting time figures Original release: Breast cancer waiting times a scandal - Dodds (opens in a new tab)