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3,800 releases
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Protecting health and protecting rights must go hand in hand - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the Health Minister's decision to drop the Public Health Bill, saying the draft proposals amounted to an overreach that risked giving the Department of Health sweeping powers without democratic oversight. She says any future framework should be…
Health Issue: Health Minister drops Public Health Bill plans Original release: Protecting health and protecting rights must go hand in hand - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe: NI Health Funds Should Benefit NI Patients
South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe questions the Department of Health's oversight of over £125 million in university fees for medical and health degrees over three years. She says that graduates face no obligation to work in Northern Ireland and calls on the Health Minister to require funded…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Department of Health spending on medical student university fees Original release: Forsythe: NI Health Funds Should Benefit NI Patients (opens in a new tab)
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Tánaiste U-turn on Chaotic Asylum Process Long Over Due – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, Meath West TD, says Tánaiste Simon Harris's asylum process statement is a U-turn that admits government error, and cites parliamentary question figures on accommodation, backlogs, appeal times, deportations and undocumented arrivals at Dublin Airport.
Immigration Housing Issue: Tánaiste Simon Harris asylum process statement U-turn Original release: Tánaiste U-turn on Chaotic Asylum Process Long Over Due – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn calls for the Department of Justice and Justice Minister to commission a full review of fireworks laws after footage showed a family dog suffering a stroke and being put to sleep. He says the 2002 regulations are outdated and urges limits on private use, stricter…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Fireworks law review call after family dog's death Original release: Cllr Flynn calls for Fireworks Law Review after tragic animal death (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong expresses concern over fare increases for Strangford Ferry
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong criticises the Infrastructure Minister's decision to raise Strangford Ferry fares for a second consecutive year, warning of harm to commuters, students and outpatients attending Downe Hospital, and asks for the calculation and internal efficiencies behind the rise.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Strangford Ferry fare increase consultation 2025 Original release: Armstrong expresses concern over fare increases for Strangford Ferry (opens in a new tab)
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DUP must act to prevent their Irish language commissioner interfering in Grand Central case
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says Conradh na Gaeilge's statement on the newly appointed Irish Language Commissioner is a manifesto for cultural conquest and calls on the DUP to use its claimed Executive veto to block any Commissioner interference in the Grand Central controversy.
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: DUP must act to prevent their Irish language commissioner interfering in Grand Central case (opens in a new tab)
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‘Céim mhór chun cinn’ do Ghaeilgeoirí – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, National Chairperson, welcomes the appointment of Pól Deeds as Irish Language Commissioner, which the Executive Office has announced, saying it marks a major advance for Irish speakers in the north. He says the commissioner will lead efforts to strengthen the language…
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: ‘Céim mhór chun cinn’ do Ghaeilgeoirí – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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TUV blasts appointment of Irish Language Commissioner
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the appointment of Pol Deeds as Irish Language Commissioner is deeply troubling, citing his past declared Sinn Féin affiliation and advocacy for expanded Irish language legislation, and claims the DUP signed off on it.
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: TUV blasts appointment of Irish Language Commissioner (opens in a new tab)
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Mary Lou McDonald to speak in Westville Hotel at rural healthcare in a new Ireland event
Health Constitutional affairs Original release: Mary Lou McDonald to speak in Westville Hotel at rural healthcare in a new Ireland event (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Department for Infrastructure taking steps on structural work for the River Bann bridge in Kilrea, closed since September, but calls for dates and deadlines and warns against further delays to reopening.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Kilrea River Bann bridge closure Original release: Hunter urges Department to deliver swift resolution to Kilrea bridge closure (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the confirmation that Irish Language and Ulster Scots Commissioners will soon take up their posts, ending long uncertainty. He criticises the Executive for delays and asks the Executive Office to set out the experience of newly named appointees to the cultural body.
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners (opens in a new tab)
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Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says the newly appointed Language Commissioners and the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression director must prove they serve the public and build trust. He criticises the Sinn Féin and DUP talks process as sidelining others, and urges value for money and…
Disability and equality Issue: Office of Identity and Cultural Expression appointments announced Original release: Language Commissioners must build trust not division - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw welcomes the First and deputy First Minister's sending of letters of offer to Pól Deeds and Lee Reynolds, appointees as Irish Language and Ulster-Scots Commissioners. She says the process took too long and looks forward to them presenting their…
Disability and equality Issue: Identity and Language Act Commissioner appointments delay Original release: Bradshaw welcomes appointment of Language Commissioners (opens in a new tab)
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PSNI must explain reason not to implement Ombudsman’s recommendations in full – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the PSNI to explain why it did not fully implement the Police Ombudsman's recommendations on four officers' conduct during a December 2022 arrest. She says the findings of misogynistic remarks toward a woman reporting domestic abuse are concerning.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman report on officers' conduct during December 2022 arrest Original release: PSNI must explain reason not to implement Ombudsman’s recommendations in full – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew comments on changes to how social homes are funded
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says changes to social housing funding must be consulted on and delivered with housing providers, after the Communities Minister announced a major overhaul of housing association grant rates. He says the changes appear to have been made without consulting housing…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's housing association grant rate overhaul Original release: Gildernew comments on changes to how social homes are funded (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Cut to Housing Association funding will deliver fewer homes
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA says a cut to Housing Association grant, from 54% to 46% of build cost, will lead to fewer homes. He criticises Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for failing to consult the sector.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Communities Minister's housing association grant rate overhaul Original release: Durkan: Cut to Housing Association funding will deliver fewer homes (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA welcomes £100,000 in funding to keep the Scoil Spreagtha Irish language lessons scheme running for another year, followed by an evaluation, and says he will keep pressing for future funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Scoil Spreagtha scheme £100,000 funding confirmation Original release: McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers
UUP MLA Diana Armstrong urges DAERA to implement the recommendations of the 2022 Breaking the Grass Ceiling report, saying women farmers are vital to NI’s agri‑food economy and the party will lobby for equality.
Agriculture and rural affairs Disability and equality Issue: Breaking the Grass Ceiling report recommendations Original release: Breaking Barriers in Agriculture and Championing Women Farmers (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says a Audit Office report confirms concerns that the Department for Economy's energy strategy is falling short, and calls for a revision of Northern Ireland's 2030 climate targets, citing grid connection delays, planning delays and the lack of a storage strategy.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Confidence in the Belfast Trust must be restored urgently, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Belfast Trust must urgently rebuild staff confidence after a Health Committee session on a report into culture and oversight in its Cardiac Unit. She calls for whistleblowing reform and a statutory candour duty, and welcomes the new Trust…
Health Issue: Belfast Trust performance accountability report publication Original release: Confidence in the Belfast Trust must be restored urgently, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)