Latest releases
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4,971 releases
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Stormont’s £5 million spin bill
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says Executive departments have spent about £5 million on press officers since devolution returned, criticising delayed Assembly answers from the Health Department and calling the spending a diversion from frontline services.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Stormont Executive departments' press officer spending figures since devolution Original release: Stormont’s £5 million spin bill (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong Slams DAERA Over Quagga Mussel Threat to Lough Erne
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong says she is shocked by the first confirmed case of invasive Quagga Mussel in Lower Lough Erne and criticises DAERA for failing to implement robust biosecurity measures. She calls for urgent action to protect waterways, citing gaps in guidance on power-washing and regulation…
Environment and climate Issue: First confirmed Quagga Mussel case in Lower Lough Erne Original release: Armstrong Slams DAERA Over Quagga Mussel Threat to Lough Erne (opens in a new tab)
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Minister’s visit highlights progress, now more action needed to back Daisy Hill – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt’s recent tour of Daisy Hill Hospital, praises staff and reduced waiting lists, and calls for additional long‑term funding, expanded resources and stronger North‑South health cooperation to sustain progress.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visit to Daisy Hill Hospital Original release: Minister’s visit highlights progress, now more action needed to back Daisy Hill – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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Local community is in shock at latest road fatality – Murphy
Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy says the Fermanagh community is shocked by a further road death in the county on Thursday, offers condolences to the family of Francis Lynch, and urges drivers to take extra care. She also thanks first responders at the scene.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Fermanagh road fatality on Thursday Original release: Local community is in shock at latest road fatality – Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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2025 Report of the Commission on the Future of Ireland
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald welcomes the publication of the Commission on the Future of Ireland's annual report, saying the Irish unity conversation is growing and calling on the Irish and British governments to plan for constitutional change. The release lists 2025 events, including 23…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland 2025 annual report Original release: 2025 Report of the Commission on the Future of Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: New Western Trust chief must engage on SWAH
SDLP Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Group Leader Councillor Adam Gannon urges the incoming Western Trust chief executive, following Neil Guckian's retirement, to reset relations with local communities. He calls for visits, meetings with campaigners, and proper engagement with the Save Our…
Health Issue: Western Trust chief executive Neil Guckian retirement announcement Original release: Gannon: New Western Trust chief must engage on SWAH (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: High level of homeless deaths reflects Executive failure
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says repeated Executive failures directly contribute to the high number of homeless deaths, reacting to new statistics recording 58 such deaths in 2024. He calls for sustained investment in prevention, housing, mental health and addiction…
Housing Health Issue: NISRA report of 58 homeless deaths Original release: Durkan: High level of homeless deaths reflects Executive failure (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says he is disappointed that the developer of five proposed houses in Tullynagardy Wood, Newtownards, has appealed to the Planning Appeals Commission after the council's committee unanimously moved to reject the plan. He calls on the council to defend its position firmly…
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Tullynagardy Wood five-house development appeal to PAC Original release: Mathison expresses disappointment to PAC appeal on Tullynagardy Wood Development (opens in a new tab)
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The EU Grinch brings unpleasant gifts for the New Year
UUP Windsor Framework spokesperson Steve Aiken warns that tightening EU rules and ending grace periods from 1 January 2026 will bring new customs checks, bureaucracy and Irish Sea Border controls, and accuses DAERA, the Government and the Executive of failing to publish a full list of changes.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Windsor Framework Committee review of incoming EU regulations Original release: The EU Grinch brings unpleasant gifts for the New Year (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must urgently address decline in patient care and take effective action to transform health service, says Donnelly
Danny Donnelly MLA, Alliance health spokesperson and Health Committee deputy chair, says patient safety is at risk and urges the Health Minister to act urgently after TERN data showed Northern Ireland has the UK’s highest level of corridor care, calling for swift transformation proposals.
Health Issue: TERN data reveals highest corridor care in NI Original release: Health Minister must urgently address decline in patient care and take effective action to transform health service, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison calls for urgent clarity on EA Home to School Transport provision
Alliance education spokesperson and Education Committee chair Nick Mathison MLA urges the Education Minister to give schools and parents swift certainty on EA home-to-school transport and to protect pupils. He questions the EA's request that taxi drivers cut rates by 10% and asks for the evidence…
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: EA request for taxi drivers to cut rates by 10% Original release: Mathison calls for urgent clarity on EA Home to School Transport provision (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Nesbitt’s attendance at GFA Committee constructive and useful – Dáire Hughes MP
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes describes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's appearance at the Oireachtas committee on the Good Friday Agreement as constructive, welcoming his backing for all-island health collaboration and a forthcoming joint health strategy between north and south.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's appearance at GFA Committee on healthcare Original release: Minister Nesbitt’s attendance at GFA Committee constructive and useful – Dáire Hughes MP (opens in a new tab)
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Strength, not weakness remains TUV’s watchword
TUV leader Jim Allister tells the Central Council in Antrim that 2025 confirmed TUV as central to unionism, criticises the DUP's return to government with Sinn Fein over the Protocol, and says the party is starting preparations for the 2027 elections.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Strength, not weakness remains TUV’s watchword (opens in a new tab)
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TUV congratulates new Orange Grand Master
TUV Party Chairman Cllr Allister Kyle congratulates Harold Henning on becoming Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. He says the Institution has long supported unionism and that the Protocol remains a threat, and TUV says it will engage constructively with the new leader.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Harold Henning elected Grand Master of the Orange Order in Ireland Original release: TUV congratulates new Orange Grand Master (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin MPs meet British government minister on votes at 16
Sinn Féin MPs John Finucane, Paul Maskey and Cathal Mallaghan report a recent meeting with UK minister Samantha Dixon on lowering the voting age to 16, which they say will bring a positive step for democracy and a voice for young people in the north.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Votes at 16 extension confirmed for UK elections Original release: Sinn Féin MPs meet British government minister on votes at 16 (opens in a new tab)
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No way to start the winter period - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says a Written Question response shows 529 inpatients fit to leave were still in hospital on 1 October, and calls for a senior figure to be tasked with resolving delayed discharges before winter pressures worsen.
Health Issue: Written Question response on 529 delayed discharge inpatients in Northern Ireland hospitals Original release: No way to start the winter period - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Secretary of State must act following historic Assembly vote for reform, says Long
Alliance leader Naomi Long urges the Secretary of State to start an institutional reform process at Stormont after the Assembly backed Alliance's call following the Covid Inquiry's latest report. She says she will write to request talks with the co-guarantors and local parties.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Assembly vote backing Stormont institutional reform after Covid Inquiry report Original release: Secretary of State must act following historic Assembly vote for reform, says Long (opens in a new tab)
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DUP MPs fail to block pro-EU Bill
TUV leader Jim Allister says he is dismayed that DUP MPs abstained in the Commons on a Bill to rejoin the EU Customs Union, letting it be introduced after a tied vote and a casting vote. He says the DUP could have blocked it and calls on every DUP MP to explain their decision.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Commons vote on private member's Bill to rejoin EU Customs Union Original release: DUP MPs fail to block pro-EU Bill (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes investment in public services and workers
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes Finance Minister John O'Dowd's monitoring round allocation of £162 million for capital projects and £104 million for public sector pay awards. She says it will improve roads, public transport, housing, healthcare and education, and urges parties to work together…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Executive monitoring round allocates £162m capital and £104m public sector pay Original release: Dolan welcomes investment in public services and workers (opens in a new tab)
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Neurology services must be improved to support patients and restore public confidence – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to improve neurology services ahead of an Assembly motion, citing long waiting lists and delays in diagnosis and treatment. He calls for an implementation plan for the recommendations of a 2025 neurology services report.
Health Issue: 2025 neurology services report recommendations implementation plan Original release: Neurology services must be improved to support patients and restore public confidence – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)