Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
2,847 releases
-
O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole questions why Environment Minister Andrew Muir has not intervened at a bonfire site near Meridi Street in south Belfast containing asbestos. He calls on Muir to direct the NIEA to remove the risk before the bonfire is lit this week.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire (opens in a new tab)
-
McAlpine condemns sinister graffiti in Millisle
Alliance Ards Peninsula representative Alderman Lorna McAlpine condemns racist graffiti daubed overnight on a residential property in Millisle, saying it does not reflect local people. She says the incident has been reported to police and urges anyone with information to contact them.
Disability and equality Issue: Millisle racist graffiti on residential property Original release: McAlpine condemns sinister graffiti in Millisle (opens in a new tab)
-
All-Island Housing Demo
People Before Profit backs Saturday's all-island housing demonstration and urges a large turnout to push the Dáil and Stormont on homelessness, eviction bans and support for Gerry Carroll's People's Housing Bill. It cites a CATU call for an eviction ban, an end to direct provision and Traveller…
Housing Issue: All-island housing demonstration on Saturday Original release: All-Island Housing Demo (opens in a new tab)
-
GP dispute must be resolved to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to meet GP representatives urgently and work towards a swift resolution to the dispute, after GP partners voted in favour of collective action over funding. He says pressure on GPs is affecting patients' access to appointments.
Health Issue: GP partners vote for collective action over funding dispute Original release: GP dispute must be resolved to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
-
‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis
Sinn Féin South Down MLA Sinéad Ennis says the party is resigning from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over the foul odour from Refuse Derived Fuel storage and handling at Warrenpoint Port. She says concerns raised on the board were ignored and calls for a complete, permanent end to RDF…
Environment and climate Health Issue: Sinn Féin resignation from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over RDF odour Original release: ‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
-
Hughes welcomes boost for Newry
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes welcomes plans to connect 400 new Newry properties to the wastewater network, which he says will open the city to investment for a decade. He credits Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and NI Water, and points to the minister's three-pronged approach to drainage and…
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Newry wastewater connection for 400 new properties Original release: Hughes welcomes boost for Newry (opens in a new tab)
-
McAllister urges Minister to get round the table with GPs to ensure delivery of services to public
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to hold urgent talks with GPs after their overwhelming vote for industrial action, which the BMA says followed the minister's imposed funding settlement and contract. She warns patient services are at risk.
Health Issue: GP partners vote for collective action over funding dispute Original release: McAllister urges Minister to get round the table with GPs to ensure delivery of services to public (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Belfast Trust needs systemic reform after its chair's departure, citing a Cardiac Unit workplace culture scandal and the delayed maternity hospital. He urges the Health Minister to appoint a new chair quickly.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust chair departure Original release: McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)
-
The problems that have led to the initial service collapse at SWAH have not been fully addressed – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says he is deeply concerned by the Western Trust’s plan to launch a consultation on permanently removing Emergency General Surgery at South West Acute Hospital, noting that the problems that caused the 2022 service collapse have not been fully addressed and urging a thorough,
Health Issue: Western Trust consultation on removing Emergency General Surgery at SWAH Original release: The problems that have led to the initial service collapse at SWAH have not been fully addressed – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
-
Communities Minister must bring forward Irish language strategy – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew criticises the Communities Minister for not committing to a timeline for an Irish language strategy, following questioning in committee and a judicial review lodged by Conradh na Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Issue: Communities Minister Irish language strategy timeline delay Original release: Communities Minister must bring forward Irish language strategy – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
-
International community must step up and support children of Gaza – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen, MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, calls on Britain to issue visas so children from Gaza can receive life-saving medical treatment, after a London briefing on evacuating them and on the damage to Gaza's healthcare system.
International affairs Health Issue: London briefing on evacuating Gaza children for medical treatment Original release: International community must step up and support children of Gaza – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
-
Targeted intimidation will not silence Ballymena Pride
SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite condemns what he calls a targeted intimidation act after slurry was laid along the route of Ballymena's first Pride parade. He praises organisers and volunteers for continuing the event and welcomes two arrests linked to the incident.
Disability and equality Issue: Slurry spread ahead of Ballymena Pride parade Original release: Targeted intimidation will not silence Ballymena Pride (opens in a new tab)
-
Cara Hunter MLA: No child should lose their mother to violence
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter calls for urgent support for the children of a woman killed in Donaghadee and for a coordinated government response to violence against women and girls. She says the strategy's funding is at risk and calls for the Executive to work with the UK Government on online…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Donaghadee woman killing and violence against women strategy Original release: Cara Hunter MLA: No child should lose their mother to violence (opens in a new tab)
-
Paralympic hero meets SDLP Opposition to drive disabled sport change
SDLP Councillor Declan Norris calls for urgent action to improve disabled people's access to sport in schools, communities and elite competition, citing an 18% fall in participation over five years according to Disability Sport NI figures. The SDLP urges the Executive to work with schools…
Disability and equality Issue: Disability Sport NI report on falling disabled participation in sport Original release: Paralympic hero meets SDLP Opposition to drive disabled sport change (opens in a new tab)
-
Allister tables motion in the Commons expressing concern at Equality Commission becoming a cheerleader for trans activism
TUV North Antrich MP Jim Allister says he has tabled an Early Day Motion in the Commons expressing dismay at the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland exploring ways to get around the Supreme Court ruling on the legal meaning of "woman" and "man".
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Equality Commission response to Supreme Court sex-based protections judgment Original release: Allister tables motion in the Commons expressing concern at Equality Commission becoming a cheerleader for trans activism (opens in a new tab)
-
Councillor Lauren Kendall comments on the murder of Sarah Montgomery
Green Party Councillor Lauren Kendall mourns the murder of Sarah Montgomery and calls for the perpetrator to be brought to justice. She says the killing is part of a wider pattern of violence against women and calls for urgent action to dismantle the systems and attitudes that allow it.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Murder of Sarah Montgomery Original release: Councillor Lauren Kendall comments on the murder of Sarah Montgomery (opens in a new tab)
-
Chambers welcomes publication of Protect Life 2 Action Plan
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the publication of the Protect Life 2 Action Plan and Implementation Plan on suicide prevention and self-harm. He says a whole-government approach is needed and that the Minister has listened to an independent review and stakeholder…
Health Issue: Protect Life 2 suicide prevention action plan publication Original release: Chambers welcomes publication of Protect Life 2 Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
-
Mathison and Guy question Education Minister commitment to SEN provision following placement crisis
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy question the Education Minister's commitment to special educational needs provision, saying he has not adequately responded to about 160 SEN children lacking school places for September. Guy calls on him to set out how every child will be placed and how…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Special educational needs school placement shortfall for 2025/26 academic year Original release: Mathison and Guy question Education Minister commitment to SEN provision following placement crisis (opens in a new tab)
-
Alliance welcomes extra cash to promote social and racial cohesion
Alliance welcomes the Executive Office's announcement of an extra £220,000 for urgent work on social and racial cohesion, with Paula Bradshaw MLA backing a clear stance against racist or xenophobic violence. Stewart Dickson MLA says more direct action on prevention is needed.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Executive Office £220,000 funding for social and racial cohesion Original release: Alliance welcomes extra cash to promote social and racial cohesion (opens in a new tab)
-
Dolan welcomes additional funding for departments
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes the Executive's £118 million allocation after the June monitoring round, citing £25 million each for health and education and £9 million for social and affordable homes. She also calls for an end to British government cuts.
Public finance and taxation Education Issue: Executive £118 million allocation following June monitoring round Original release: Dolan welcomes additional funding for departments (opens in a new tab)