Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
- Constitutional affairs: remove filter
- Infrastructure and transport: remove filter
- Health: remove filter
4,592 releases
-
An all-Ireland health system would deliver better services – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says two separate healthcare systems on the island are failing people and calls for an all-island national health service. He urges the Irish government to start preparing for such a system, which would make specialist care available north and south based on need.
-
The NHS was built on the principle of universal access, free at the point of delivery
The Ulster Unionist Party rejects a suggestion that Northern Ireland replace its NHS-based GP model with a Republic-style medical card system, arguing health inequalities stem from wider socioeconomic factors. It backs Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's £12 million GP pay award and says it will never…
Health Issue: Suggestion to replace NHS GP model with all-island model Original release: The NHS was built on the principle of universal access, free at the point of delivery (opens in a new tab)
-
Health Minister formally opens new MRI scanner unit at Causeway Hospital
UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt inaugurated a state‑of‑the‑art MRI scanner at Causeway Hospital, saying it will boost the Northern Health & Social Care Trust’s imaging capacity and cut patient waiting times by ending transfers to Antrim Area Hospital.
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital new MRI scanner installation Original release: Health Minister formally opens new MRI scanner unit at Causeway Hospital (opens in a new tab)
-
Justice Minister’s comments on British migration changes show folly of signing up to EU Migration and Asylum Pact – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy TD says the Justice Minister's remarks that Britain's immigration changes may require Irish law updates show Ireland should not join the EU migration pact. He calls on Jim O'Callaghan to secure a bilateral deal with Britain to promptly return international protection…
Immigration International affairs Issue: Minister Jim O'Callaghan comments on British immigration law changes and Common Travel Area Original release: Justice Minister’s comments on British migration changes show folly of signing up to EU Migration and Asylum Pact – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
-
Conditions laid out in the Good Friday Agreement for a referendum on Irish reunification have been met – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion says the conditions for an Irish reunification referendum set out in the Good Friday Agreement have been met, and calls on the British and Irish governments to agree a referendum date and work with civil society on a vision for a united Ireland.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Conditions laid out in the Good Friday Agreement for a referendum on Irish reunification have been met – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
-
Focus should be on realistic solutions to health service challenges
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says Northern Ireland's health service needs practical investment and reform, and calls proposals for an all-Ireland healthcare system unnecessary and unrealistic. She says General Practice pressures should be tackled locally through workforce stability and…
-
DUP welcomes Speaker’s ruling on DfE Israel decision
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson welcomes the Speaker's ruling that the DUP-backed call-in petition on the Economy Minister's Israel trade decision is valid and must go to the Executive. He says the matter should be placed before the Executive and says ministers must follow established government…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: DfE Israel trade decision call-in petition Speaker's ruling Original release: DUP welcomes Speaker’s ruling on DfE Israel decision (opens in a new tab)
-
Reilly writes to Translink after Coláiste Feirste pupils refused entry to bus
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly asks Translink to investigate after three Coláiste Feirste pupils were reportedly turned away from the 106 Ulsterbus service from Crumlin to Belfast. She says the reason given was false and warns the incident could endanger pupils.
Infrastructure and transport Education Issue: Coláiste Feirste pupils refused entry to 106 Ulsterbus from Crumlin Original release: Reilly writes to Translink after Coláiste Feirste pupils refused entry to bus (opens in a new tab)
-
O'Toole: Sinn Féin evasion on interconnector failing all-island economy
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA challenges the First Minister's lukewarm support in the Assembly for the North-South Interconnector, accusing Sinn Féin of inconsistent positions on both sides of the border. He says the project is critical for reducing bills, decarbonisation and…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: North-South Interconnector First Minister support Assembly question Original release: O'Toole: Sinn Féin evasion on interconnector failing all-island economy (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Minister must live up to carers’ pay promise
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister must honour his pledge to pay social care workers the Real Living Wage, after they were left out of the latest pay uplift for health staff.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Real Living Wage funding for independent sector homecare workers Original release: McGrath: Minister must live up to carers’ pay promise (opens in a new tab)
-
Durkan: Health staff on Universal Credit deserve fairness on ‘rightfully earned’ pay rise
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark Durkan MLA urges the Health, Communities and Finance Ministers to cooperate so health staff on Universal Credit can receive the backdated 2025/26 NHS pay award without losing benefit payments. He calls for a phased payment approach, warning single parents, mainly…
Social security and welfare Health Issue: Health Minister confirms backdated 2025 healthcare pay award Original release: Durkan: Health staff on Universal Credit deserve fairness on ‘rightfully earned’ pay rise (opens in a new tab)
-
Health Minister must reset relations with GPs, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the BMA's backing of a no-confidence vote in the Health Minister is extremely concerning, urging the minister and GPs to resume talks and repair ties to protect access to primary care.
Health Issue: BMA endorsement of no-confidence vote in Health Minister Original release: Health Minister must reset relations with GPs, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
-
GP dispute must be resolved urgently – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to re-engage with GPs and reach a swift settlement, following a no-confidence motion passed at the Local Medical Committees conference in Belfast. He says patient access to appointments is suffering and that he will raise the matter directly…
Health Issue: GP no-confidence motion in Health Minister at Belfast LMC conference Original release: GP dispute must be resolved urgently – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
-
Time to work together to drive economic growth – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls the DUP's upcoming Assembly motion on the Windsor Framework a diversion and says the DUP is using it to offset pressure from the TUV. He urges the DUP to stop looking backwards and engage on post-Brexit trading.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP Assembly motion on the Windsor Framework debate Original release: Time to work together to drive economic growth – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Minister must heed GPs vote to consider leaving NHS
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says Health Minister Mike Nesbitt must heed a NILMC Conference motion from GPs exploring alternatives to the NHS. He urges the minister to return to talks with GPs on a funding model and plan, and says he does not back the Conference's approach.
Health Issue: Local Medical Committees conference GP decisions on NHS and industrial action Original release: McGrath: Minister must heed GPs vote to consider leaving NHS (opens in a new tab)
-
GP Conference Decision was Reckless and ill Judged
UUP spokesperson calls the weekend Local Medical Committees conference decisions reckless and ill-judged, criticising GP proposals to ramp up action, including on vaccination programmes, and a vote to explore moving outside the NHS. The party urges GP leaders to return to responsible engagement.
Health Issue: Local Medical Committees conference GP decisions on NHS and industrial action Original release: GP Conference Decision was Reckless and ill Judged (opens in a new tab)
-
Unionist Protections Are Non-Negotiable Amid Reform Debate
UUP MLA John Stewart warns against diluting the Belfast Agreement's cross-community protections, arguing that an SDLP motion on reforming the institutions, including removing ministers, sets a dangerous precedent and that reform must not proceed without unionist input.
Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP motion on reform of Stormont cross-community consent for removing ministers Original release: Unionist Protections Are Non-Negotiable Amid Reform Debate (opens in a new tab)
-
No role for the Irish Republic in internal affairs of NI - McIlveen
The DUP's Deputy Leader Michelle McIlveen marks the 40th anniversary of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, calling it imposed without consent and saying the Irish Republic should have no role in Northern Ireland's internal affairs. She also links it to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Constitutional affairs Original release: No role for the Irish Republic in internal affairs of NI - McIlveen (opens in a new tab)
-
Boylan highlights urgent need to address men’s health across our island
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan calls for more attention to men's and boys' health across the island, following an event at Stormont, and stresses better mental health access in rural areas and tackling stigma. He also urges cross-departmental working, policy reform and improved healthcare access.
Health Issue: The Invisible Man event at Stormont on men's health Original release: Boylan highlights urgent need to address men’s health across our island (opens in a new tab)
-
Time to establish an Irish passport office in the north – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes says Department of Foreign Affairs figures showing over 120,000 passport applications from the north in 2024 show the need for a passport office here. He calls on the Irish government to set up one without delay.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Department of Foreign Affairs passport application figures for 2024 Original release: Time to establish an Irish passport office in the north – Hughes (opens in a new tab)