Latest releases
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2,611 releases
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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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Communities minister calls for full reinstatement of Winter Fuel…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons calls for full reinstatement of the universal Winter Fuel Payment and a rethink of Labour's welfare reforms, including cuts to the UC health element and PIP changes. He says Starmer's move to widen eligibility does not go far enough.
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Starmer announcement widening Winter Fuel Payment eligibility Original release: Communities minister calls for full reinstatement of Winter Fuel… (opens in a new tab)
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Labour’s winter fuel u-turn a long overdue climbdown - Wilson
DUP MP Sammy Wilson welcomes Labour's plans to reverse its decision to remove Winter Fuel Payment support from pensioners, while saying the detail is still awaited in the next Budget. He says the policy caused real fear and hardship and credits DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for interim…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Starmer announcement widening Winter Fuel Payment eligibility Original release: Labour’s winter fuel u-turn a long overdue climbdown - Wilson (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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Eastwood: Department of Health must deliver Northlands funding
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood calls on the Department of Health to submit the business case needed to release £1million for addiction treatment in Derry, including the Northlands Centre, after the NIO said it is still waiting for it. He says he has written to the joint heads of government about the delay.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Northlands Centre £1million addiction funding business case delay Original release: Eastwood: Department of Health must deliver Northlands funding (opens in a new tab)
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Firearm Incident on Bangor High Street
TUV's North Down chairman Peter Wilson welcomes the safe resolution of a firearm incident on Bangor High Street without injury, praising PSNI and emergency services. He calls for renewed focus on early intervention and better mental health services, especially for veterans.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Firearm incident on Bangor High Street Original release: Firearm Incident on Bangor High Street (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister calls on Health Minister to re-engage in negotiations and restore relations with GPs
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Health Minister's decision to implement a GP funding contract despite a near-unanimous BMA GP Committee rejection shows disregard, and urges him to return to talks and repair ties with general practitioners.
Health Issue: BMA GP Committee rejection of 25/26 GMS contract offer Original release: McAllister calls on Health Minister to re-engage in negotiations and restore relations with GPs (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP nominates Doherty as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast
SDLP says it will nominate Belfast councillor Paul Doherty, an anti-poverty campaigner and founder of Foodstock, as the city's next Deputy Lord Mayor, taking up the post on 2 June.
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: SDLP nomination of Paul Doherty as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Original release: SDLP nominates Doherty as Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must work with GPs
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's approach to GP contract talks will deepen the primary care crisis. He accuses the Minister of imposing a contract GPs have rejected and calls for the indemnity data behind his claims to be published.
Health Issue: BMA GP Committee rejection of 25/26 GMS contract offer Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must work with GPs (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan questions Executive dissent over anti-poverty strategy
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA questions whether Executive parties dissent over the anti-poverty strategy, saying some MLAs distanced themselves from it in the Assembly. He calls on Executive parties to explain why they signed it off and says the whole Executive must take…
Social security and welfare Issue: Executive agreement on anti-poverty strategy for public consultation Original release: McCrossan questions Executive dissent over anti-poverty strategy (opens in a new tab)