Latest releases
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3,622 releases
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Dillon encourages the public to have their say on breastfeeding bill
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon urges the public to respond to a consultation on her Private Member's Bill that would create an offence for discouraging breastfeeding in public, require premises to be breastfeeding-friendly, and penalise discrimination. The consultation closes on 24 October 2025.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Linda Dillon Private Members Bill breastfeeding consultation launch Original release: Dillon encourages the public to have their say on breastfeeding bill (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath urges Minister to address nurse staffing issues
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says he has contacted Health Minister Mike Nesbitt seeking answers after children's chemotherapy was delayed at the Belfast Trust because specialist nurses were unavailable. He asks what steps will get treatment to them and what support is in…
Health Issue: Belfast Trust paediatric chemotherapy delays due to staff absences Original release: McGrath urges Minister to address nurse staffing issues (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Slams O’Neill’s ‘Virtue-Signalling’ Over Middle East
TUV chairman and Causeway councillor Allister Kyle accuses First Minister Michelle O'Neill of virtue-signalling over Middle East comments, arguing she neglects NHS waiting lists and corridor care at home. He also cites her past remarks on the Claudy bombing.
Health International affairs Issue: Michelle O'Neill's Middle East comments on Gaza and hostages Original release: TUV Slams O’Neill’s ‘Virtue-Signalling’ Over Middle East (opens in a new tab)
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Panel announced for healthcare in a new Ireland discussion
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen will lead a panel on healthcare in a new Ireland on Thursday 7 August at 1 pm, Gasyard Centre, with Dr Kevin Cosgrove, Edel O’Doherty and George McGowan. He says a single island health system would improve services, outcomes and community wellbeing, and urges the public to‑go
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Healthcare in a new Ireland panel announcement Original release: Panel announced for healthcare in a new Ireland discussion (opens in a new tab)
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Nesbitt comments about Gender Identity Service raise more questions than they answer
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston criticises Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's comments defending extra public funding for the Gender Identity Service, arguing questions about its past governance and what ministers knew must be answered first. He calls for a petition to be presented to the Assembly in September.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: Nesbitt comments about Gender Identity Service raise more questions than they answer (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly welcomes Neurology Review and urges urgent action from Health Minister
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA welcomes the Regional Review of Neurology Services but warns of slow implementation and a failure to prioritise neurology in funding. He says over 11,000 people wait more than a year for a first appointment and calls on the Health Minister to publish…
Health Issue: Regional Review of Neurology Services publication Original release: Donnelly welcomes Neurology Review and urges urgent action from Health Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives pay tribute to former Alliance Councillor David Reid
Alliance figures including leader Naomi Long MLA, MEA Group Leader Councillor Lauren Gray and North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland mourn David Reid, a former Braid councillor in Mid and East Antrim, who has died aged 35 after a cancer battle.
Other Local government Original release: Alliance representatives pay tribute to former Alliance Councillor David Reid (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister is the one with questions to answer - Buckley
DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley says the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, must answer questions over the £800,000 allocated to gender identity services and will be challenged when the Assembly returns in September. He claims the Minister is avoiding scrutiny and says the spending is poor prioritisation…
Health Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: Health Minister is the one with questions to answer - Buckley (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Launch Public Petition Calling for Funding to Gender Identity Service to be Stopped
Traditional Unionist Voice launches an online petition urging Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to reverse the £800,000 approval for a new “lifespan” gender identity service with no lower age limit, arguing the evidence is insufficient, it endangers children and misuses public money.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: TUV Launch Public Petition Calling for Funding to Gender Identity Service to be Stopped (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says Belfast International Airport senior executives have agreed to meet her and constituents over reports of humiliating security screening experiences involving stoma bags. She also says she has contacted Belfast City Airport about sharing training, and will work with…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Belfast International Airport meeting over stoma bag security screening complaints Original release: Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over… (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Mike Nesbitt, Leader Ulster Unionist Party and Health Minister, on nurses pay rise
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, also Health Minister, says he shares the RCN's frustration that 2025-26 recommended nurse pay rises remain unimplemented, noting his May Ministerial Direction decision is stuck with the wider Executive.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurses 2025-26 pay award Ministerial Direction delay Original release: Statement from Mike Nesbitt, Leader Ulster Unionist Party and Health Minister, on nurses pay rise (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive disrespect for nurses risks strike action
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA warns the Executive is courting nurses' industrial action by not paying the agreed 3.6% pay rise, after the RCN declared a trade dispute. He says the RCN's June letter to the First and deputy First Ministers went unanswered and calls for urgent…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurses 2025-26 pay award Ministerial Direction delay Original release: McGrath: Executive disrespect for nurses risks strike action (opens in a new tab)
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Ann Graves TD hosts meeting for families affected by drug addiction in Leinster House
Sinn Féin spokesperson Ann Graves TD says a meeting with Families Addiction Recovery Ireland highlighted concerns, and criticises a government diversion scheme for drug possession as a shortsighted move that undermines a health-led approach. She calls for families to be central to any new National…
Health Justice and policing Issue: Government diversion scheme for people caught with drugs Original release: Ann Graves TD hosts meeting for families affected by drug addiction in Leinster House (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Waiting list crisis demands concrete response
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA questions why it took so long to appoint Professor Mark Taylor to lead efforts on health waiting lists, and calls for concrete action and clearer detail on his role rather than recycled funding figures.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: McGrath: Waiting list crisis demands concrete response (opens in a new tab)
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Renewed focus on waiting lists needed - Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the appointment of Professor Mark Taylor to drive down waiting lists across Northern Ireland, saying patients need visible progress and hoping his role brings fresh urgency to waiting times and access to care.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: Renewed focus on waiting lists needed - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes appointment of Clinical Director for Elective Care
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes the Health Minister's appointment of Professor Mark Taylor to the newly created post of Elective Care lead, and says he will work with the minister to cut waiting lists using £215 million in this year's budget.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: McGuigan welcomes appointment of Clinical Director for Elective Care (opens in a new tab)
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Resolution needed to GP dispute to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to meet GP representatives urgently and seek a quick settlement of the GP dispute with the Department of Health, which has led to collective action this week. He says pressure on GPs is limiting patients' access to appointments.
Health Issue: GP collective action over Department of Health dispute Original release: Resolution needed to GP dispute to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston writes to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt raising safeguarding concerns about the Department's new gender identity service, which he says appears to accept referrals without a lower age limit. He demands full disclosure of the policy's development, consultees and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency (opens in a new tab)
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Hard Border ‘Cements-in’ the Division of the United Kingdom from Today – ‘Permanent’ Border Control Posts Operationalise
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says the permanent Border Control Post at Larne, opening today, cements a hard Irish Sea border that cuts Northern Ireland off from the UK Internal Market for Goods, with Belfast following on 11 August.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Larne permanent Border Control Post opening Original release: Hard Border ‘Cements-in’ the Division of the United Kingdom from Today – ‘Permanent’ Border Control Posts Operationalise (opens in a new tab)
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Trump/EU trade deal brings more challenges than opportunities for Windsor Framework stifled Northern Ireland - Aiken
Ulster Unionist Windsor Framework spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken MLA says the 15% EU-US tariff avoids a 30% cliff edge but the Irish Sea Border will add bureaucracy for Northern Ireland imports from the United States. He says the Secretary of State has not taken a firm stance on tariff variations and…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: US tariff announcement affecting Ireland Original release: Trump/EU trade deal brings more challenges than opportunities for Windsor Framework stifled Northern Ireland - Aiken (opens in a new tab)