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5,195 releases
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Dunne challenges Kimmins on pothole pandemic
North Down DUP MLA Stephen Dunne says a Assembly motion he proposed, which passed, calls on the Infrastructure Minister to tackle a worsening road network crisis, citing over 127,000 surface defects logged in 2025 and a £3 billion maintenance backlog, and urges permanent repairs and tighter…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly motion on Northern Ireland road maintenance and potholes Original release: Dunne challenges Kimmins on pothole pandemic (opens in a new tab)
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Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers
TUV equality spokeswoman Ann McClure welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's reversal on Northern Ireland's role in the puberty blocker trial but says he must explain how the decision was made and reversed. Party colleague Timothy Gaston is seeking an urgent Assembly answer from the Minister, and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Northern Ireland withdrawal from puberty blocker trial Original release: Welcome Nesbitt u-turn but major questions remain on his approach to puberty blockers (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein denial over Newry billboard collapses as FOI shows Department contacted party office
TUV councillor Keith Ratcliffe says FOI documents show the Department for Infrastructure contacted Sinn Féin about an illegal Egyptian Arch billboard in Newry, contradicting Sinn Féin's denial in the Assembly, and asks why the law is not enforced against it.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Egyptian Arch Newry billboard Sinn Féin FOI disclosure Original release: Sinn Fein denial over Newry billboard collapses as FOI shows Department contacted party office (opens in a new tab)
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Norris welcomes progress on Muff Glen Bridge
SDLP Faughan Councillor Declan Norris welcomes the lodging of a planning application by DAERA to replace Muff Glen Bridge, which was destroyed in 2017 flooding. He urges the DAERA Minister to identify the necessary funding without delay, citing safety concerns for residents and visitors.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Muff Glen Bridge replacement planning application lodged by DAERA Original release: Norris welcomes progress on Muff Glen Bridge (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, criticises the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026, saying its carbon charges on Great Britain–Northern Ireland ferries will raise travel and goods costs. He accuses the SDLP and Alliance of…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme maritime extension order 2026 Original release: Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living (opens in a new tab)
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PEACEPLUS funding from Brussels must be safeguarded – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes urges the EU to keep PEACEPLUS funding in place beyond 2027, after a Joint Committee briefing revealed no guaranteed Brussels allocation despite the programme continuing.
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: Peace Plus funding beyond current programme period after EU extension proposal Original release: PEACEPLUS funding from Brussels must be safeguarded – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes commencement of major road improvement scheme for Ahoghill Road
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, welcomes the start of a £380,000 carriageway and footway upgrade on Ahoghill Road in Randalstown, due for completion by 3 April, and outlines the two-stage lane and daytime closures with a signed diversion.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ahoghill Road Randalstown carriageway and footway improvement scheme Original release: Kearney welcomes commencement of major road improvement scheme for Ahoghill Road (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh councillor Adam Gannon says it is unacceptable that Fermanagh patients face up to 90-minute emergency journeys to Altnagelvin, citing an Assembly answer from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt showing a 2025 average of 1 hour 26 minutes. He calls for immediate local provision…
Health Issue: South West Acute Hospital emergency general surgery removal patient journey times Original release: Gannon: Unacceptable to face up to 90 minute journeys in health emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Boyle welcomes beginning of work at Meenan Square
SDLP Moor Councillor John Boyle welcomes the start of construction at Meenan Square in the Bogside, calling it a long-awaited step after more than two decades of delay. He says the scheme will provide homes, retail units, office space and a community hub, and hopes it ends years of frustration…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Meenan Square regeneration construction start Original release: Boyle welcomes beginning of work at Meenan Square (opens in a new tab)
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Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds welcomes the ADHD Needs Assessment Report and its proposals for a commissioned ADHD service across Northern Ireland. He calls on the Minister to act on the recommendations and deliver the support people with the condition need.
Health Disability and equality Issue: ADHD Needs Assessment Report publication and commissioned service proposals Original release: Commissioning of ADHD services vital, says McReynolds, following publication of ADHD Needs Assessment Report (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart calls for urgent delivery on cancer services after the Secretary of State's response in the Commons, citing about 30 per cent of patients treated within expected timeframes. She demands ring-fenced Barnett consequentials for cancer diagnostics, radiotherapy and…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times and outcomes in the Commons Original release: Lockhart: Cancer Delays Demand Action, Not Assurances (opens in a new tab)
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Ferguson welcomes plan to improve management of drainage and wastewater in Derry
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes a new Living with Water in Derry plan, launched by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, covering river flood alleviation, wastewater treatment upgrades, sewer improvements and natural drainage measures. She says it builds on earlier news on wastewater…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Living with Water in Derry drainage and wastewater plan launch Original release: Ferguson welcomes plan to improve management of drainage and wastewater in Derry (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes agreement ‘to protect public services’
SF MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes a deal reached by Finance Minister John O'Dowd with the UK Treasury to spread departmental overspends across several years, avoiding immediate repayment by Health and Education. She calls on the British government to fund the Executive properly.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Treasury agreement spreading Health and Education departmental overspends over several years Original release: Dolan welcomes agreement ‘to protect public services’ (opens in a new tab)
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Controlled schools need fairly funded from NIO – Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell calls for a review of Northern Ireland Office education funding, arguing that controlled schools that are already naturally integrated in pupil intake are being overlooked in favour of integrated schools. He says funding should be fair and evidence-based across all sectors.
Education Public finance and taxation Original release: Controlled schools need fairly funded from NIO – Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance must stop stamping its feet and start building consensus -…
DUP Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen MLA responds to Alliance Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir's comments on proposals for a new Environmental Protection Agency, calling on him to seek consensus and bring forward realistic proposals that balance environmental protection with the economy and…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Minister Andrew Muir comments on proposed Environmental Protection Agency Original release: Alliance must stop stamping its feet and start building consensus -… (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson - Reserve Funding Welcome but Reform is Essential
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP welcomes confirmation that the Executive will access £400 million from the Reserve for public services, while saying the funding is exceptional and backing line-by-line scrutiny of Executive budgets. He calls for root and branch reform of the Northern Ireland Civil…
Public finance and taxation Issue: £400 million Reserve funding for Northern Ireland Executive Original release: Robinson - Reserve Funding Welcome but Reform is Essential (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes latest example of Northern Ireland health service innovation
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes confirmation that the Royal Victoria Hospital is the first in the UK to trial the Volt Pulsed Field Ablation system for atrial fibrillation. He credits Belfast clinical teams and says the approach allows up to three patients per day and frees…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital Volt Pulsed Field Ablation UK-first trial Original release: Chambers welcomes latest example of Northern Ireland health service innovation (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin oversells £400 million reprofiling as HM Treasury imposes greater oversight
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA says the agreed reprofiling of Northern Ireland's £400 million overspend is a smaller gain than Sinn Féin and the Finance Minister suggest, and warns that HM Treasury oversight may reduce pressure for departmental reform.
Public finance and taxation Issue: £400 million Reserve funding for Northern Ireland Executive Original release: Sinn Féin oversells £400 million reprofiling as HM Treasury imposes greater oversight (opens in a new tab)
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£400m reserve claim welcome but fundamental reform required, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson welcomes Treasury approval of a £400m reserve claim for the Executive, but says it is only temporary relief without public service reform and action on the cost of division. He backs the planned Treasury open-book exercise.
Public finance and taxation Issue: £400 million Reserve funding for Northern Ireland Executive Original release: £400m reserve claim welcome but fundamental reform required, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds Raises Serious Concerns Over Puberty Blocker Trials
DUP MLA Diane Dodds, who sits on the Assembly Health Committee, warns children should not be used as test subjects after it was announced Northern Ireland children will join a clinical trial of puberty-blocking drugs. She says children cannot give informed consent and raises concerns about the…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland participation in puberty blocker clinical trial Original release: Dodds Raises Serious Concerns Over Puberty Blocker Trials (opens in a new tab)