Latest releases
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2,489 releases
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Belfast Trusts response to leaked Cardiac Hub report will be measured in demonstrable actions and not words alone – Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says the Belfast Trust's response to a leaked report on bullying at the Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiac Hub will be judged on demonstrable actions, not words. He welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's push for answers and urges urgent cultural change.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Belfast Trusts response to leaked Cardiac Hub report will be measured in demonstrable actions and not words alone – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Lough Neagh remains a critical priority for Sinn Féin – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney, with party leader Michelle O'Neill MLA, says they met Lough Neagh commercial fishermen and families about the latest crisis facing the industry, following a recent eel fishing moratorium. He says fishermen stressed the need for urgency to secure the lough's future…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh eel fishing moratorium and commercial fishing crisis Original release: Lough Neagh remains a critical priority for Sinn Féin – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Culture in Belfast Trust must change – Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds raises concerns about workplace culture in the Belfast Trust after a cardiac unit report at the Royal Victoria Hospital, calls for an independent investigation, and says the Minister appeared unaware of wider problems. She also criticises the Minister's claim…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Culture in Belfast Trust must change – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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OEP evidence indicates pressing need to reduce our impact on natural environment, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Office for Environmental Protection evidence to the agriculture committee shows wastewater infrastructure and the agri-food sector are placing unsustainable pressure on the environment. He calls for cross-sector collaboration, including on the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: OEP evidence to Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on environmental pressures Original release: OEP evidence indicates pressing need to reduce our impact on natural environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to step in and assume greater authority over the Belfast Trust after alarming reports from the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Cardiac Unit, calling for direct ministerial control to address systemic failures.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes promise to publish damning report into RVH cardiac unit
DUP MLA Diane Dodds welcomes the Health Minister's agreement to publish an external review of the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit, which found bullying, poor behaviour and a significant risk to public safety. She calls for demonstrable action to restore trust in the Trust.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Dodds welcomes promise to publish damning report into RVH cardiac unit (opens in a new tab)
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Follow up action needed by Health Minister to avoid continued crisis in dental sector, says Donnelly
Alliance health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA welcomes the Health Minister's funding for general dental services, including support for dentists treating NHS patients and a fee increase, but says further action is needed to prevent the sector's crisis from deepening.
Health Issue: Health Minister's general dental services funding announcement following Alliance Assembly motion Original release: Follow up action needed by Health Minister to avoid continued crisis in dental sector, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Lack of clear CAMHS waiting list data is unacceptable
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA expresses serious concern that incomplete data on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services waiting times, linked to the encompass system rollout, is hindering planning. He calls on the Health Minister to lead urgent action.
Health Issue: NISRA quarterly CAMHS waiting list figures publication May 2025 Original release: McGrath: Lack of clear CAMHS waiting list data is unacceptable (opens in a new tab)
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Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA calls on DAERA to match nutrients action programme regulation with increased financial support and a realistic lead-in time for farmers. He cites Irish Government low-emission slurry spreading and advisory supports as a model.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: “We are nearing 100,000 attacks on healthcare staff”
SDLP MLA for South Down Colin McGrath says a written Assembly answer shows nearly 90,000 physical attacks on healthcare staff over the last decade, calling this a stain on society. He will press the Health and Justice Ministers for a coordinated strategy on prevention, protection and accountability.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Written Assembly answer on physical attacks against healthcare staff Original release: McGrath: “We are nearing 100,000 attacks on healthcare staff” (opens in a new tab)
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Dental care is an essential form of healthcare and shouldn’t be considered luxury, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to draft a fresh oral health plan and address the dentistry funding shortfall, arguing dental care is essential rather than a luxury and warning that the situation will deteriorate without action.
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Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer says the Nutrient Action Programme proposals – cutting the P balance to 8 kg/ha from 2029 and mandating Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment by 2030 – are unworkable, could force farmers out of business and ignore local conditions, and urges the Minister to listen and
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Latest EU Rules threaten treatments for minor conditions
DUP North Down MLA Peter Martin expresses serious concern at EU proposals that could reclassify common anti-viral and anti-fungal treatments, such as those for dandruff, athlete's foot and cold sores, as prescription-only. He says this would add strain to GP services and calls for certainty on…
Health International affairs Issue: EU proposals to reclassify anti-viral and anti-fungal treatments as prescription-only Original release: Latest EU Rules threaten treatments for minor conditions (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes progress towards consultation on student nursing bursaries
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes confirmation from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt that a public consultation on student nursing and midwifery bursaries will begin in the coming months. He says the review will assess whether current bursary provision suits students now.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms consultation on student nursing bursaries Original release: Delargy welcomes progress towards consultation on student nursing bursaries (opens in a new tab)
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Cruel, Punishing Budget Won’t Deliver for Working Class People
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the 2025/26 Budget, which he voted against, is another year of crisis management, citing homelessness, toxic algae in Lough Neagh and health waiting lists. He calls for mitigations to Westminster social security cuts and the two-child limit and for…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland 2025/26 Budget vote Original release: Cruel, Punishing Budget Won’t Deliver for Working Class People (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Réada Cronin TD urges the government to take an island-wide approach to biodiversity loss during Dáil statements, citing poor habitat and bird species figures and calling for stronger Marine Protected Areas legislation.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Dáil statements on biodiversity Original release: All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD (opens in a new tab)
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Statement on Racist Posters in South Belfast
People Before Profit condemns racist posters across South Belfast, saying the far right is exploiting the housing crisis. It blames landlords and Stormont for the shortage, citing over 90,000 on the housing waiting list, and promotes Gerry Carroll's housing legislation.
Housing Immigration Issue: Racist posters across South Belfast Original release: Statement on Racist Posters in South Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster
TUV MP Jim Allister welcomes Wrightbus's hydrogen bus display at Parliament as North Antrim MP, calls for government to prioritise UK manufacturing in zero emission bus rollout and support diesel bus conversions, and hopes Wrightbus expands into hydrogen coaches at Galgorm.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Wrightbus hydrogen bus display at Parliament Original release: Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains
TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says proposed Nutrients Action Programme measures for 2026–2029 would harm small and medium farms, citing slurry spreading limits, a 3-metre buffer strip and low emission equipment rules. He calls on the Department to redraft the programme and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Groogan condemns posters in Belvoir
Green Party Botanic councillor Aine Groogan condemns overnight posters in the Belvoir area that she says make concerning statements about housing and stir up tensions. She blames Stormont and the executive parties for the housing shortage and says she is liaising with police and the council to…
Housing Issue: South Belfast Belvoir estate posters calling for local homes Original release: Cllr Groogan condemns posters in Belvoir (opens in a new tab)