Latest releases
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3,131 releases
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Onus now on Western Trust to rebuild public confidence – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says the Western Trust must rebuild public confidence after the Health Minister ordered it to halt the South West Acute Hospital consultation on ending emergency general surgery there. She says only two events were held, not the comprehensive process she called for, and…
Health Issue: Health Minister orders Western Trust to halt SWAH emergency surgery consultation Original release: Onus now on Western Trust to rebuild public confidence – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Less than three weeks to Save the A5
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan urges the Minister for Infrastructure to confirm the department is fully prepared to challenge the High Court’s A5 Western Transport Corridor ruling, noting the six‑week appeal deadline and demanding urgent, decisive action.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: High Court overturns A5 planning decision and budget uncertainty Original release: McCrossan: Less than three weeks to Save the A5 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls on the Health Minister to urgently confirm a date for funding the new Birch Hill mental health complex in Antrim, after visiting Holywell Hospital and describing its deteriorating buildings as unfit for purpose.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Holywell Hospital visit and Birch Hill mental health funding delay Original release: Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation event postponement creates further anxiety to people of Fermanagh – Cullen
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Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says an eight-week minimum wait for diagnostic clinic investigation of a red flag breast cancer referral is extremely concerning and far exceeds the 14-day target. She has written to the Health Minister and calls on him to act now to reduce waits.
Health Issue: Red flag breast cancer referral waiting times at diagnostic clinics Original release: Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says serious public safety concerns remain over a bonfire site in south Belfast's Village area after more asbestos was reportedly found there. He calls for a factual assessment of the asbestos and questions why the PSNI decided not to intervene.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: ‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls for political and community leaders, including unionists, to act to stop a planned hazardous bonfire in the Village in West Belfast, and urges the PSNI to take immediate action. He warns it threatens hospital power supplies and could release asbestos.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's Reset Plan lacks detail and needs direct action on waiting lists, staff pay and community services. He criticises proposed charges and budget cuts made without public consultation.
Health Issue: Health Minister's Reset Plan publication Original release: McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans
SDLP councillor Adam Gannon, Group Leader on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, calls for extra public meetings in the region during the consultation on removing emergency surgery from Enniskillen's hospital, noting the Enniskillen event filled within two days. He also asks Health Minister Mike…
Health Issue: Western Trust consultation on removing Emergency General Surgery at SWAH Original release: Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan describes a bonfire in south Belfast's Village area as extremely concerning, citing nearby asbestos and risks to power supply at City and Royal Victoria Hospitals. He calls for urgent action and says Sinn Féin would support removing bonfire materials if safeguards cannot…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED
Aontú, speaking at a public protest against Government-backed plans to redevelop the GPO for mixed use, says the building must not be destroyed. Speakers including TD Brian Stanley and Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín call for a united effort to stop the proposals.
Infrastructure and transport Constitutional affairs Issue: Government backing for GPO redevelopment plans Original release: NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED (opens in a new tab)
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We cannot risk bonfire damaging substation powering nearby hospitals, says Maghie, following new NIE information
Alliance Belfast councillor Jenna Maghie says new Northern Ireland Electricity information shows a bonfire near a South Belfast substation, close to hospitals, must not be allowed to cause damage. She welcomes the passing of an Alliance motion asking the council to explore hiring firms to remove…
Community relations and legacy Local government Issue: South Belfast substation bonfire risk near hospitals Original release: We cannot risk bonfire damaging substation powering nearby hospitals, says Maghie, following new NIE information (opens in a new tab)
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Needless road deaths a tragedy, say Armstrong and Egan, following deadly collisions in Ards and North Down
Alliance MLAs Kellie Armstrong and Connie Egan describe the overnight deaths of two young pedestrians, aged 12 and 16, in Portaferry and Bangor as senseless tragedies. Armstrong says she will keep engaging with police and urges witnesses to come forward.
Infrastructure and transport Justice and policing Issue: Overnight fatal pedestrian collisions in Portaferry and Bangor Original release: Needless road deaths a tragedy, say Armstrong and Egan, following deadly collisions in Ards and North Down (opens in a new tab)
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3,000 new wastewater connections unlocked in Derry positive news – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement that 3,000 new homes in Derry can connect to the wastewater system, funded by £11 million from the June monitoring round. She says upgrading ageing wastewater infrastructure remains a party priority.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Derry 3,000 homes wastewater connections announcement by Infrastructure Minister Original release: 3,000 new wastewater connections unlocked in Derry positive news – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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O’Dowd calls for redevelopment or relocation of Lurgan police station
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd says he has written to the PSNI Chief Constable asking for redevelopment or relocation of Lurgan town centre police station, which he describes as outdated and a barrier to regeneration. He urges exploring alternative modern sites elsewhere in the town.
Justice and policing Infrastructure and transport Original release: O’Dowd calls for redevelopment or relocation of Lurgan police station (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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‘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)
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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)
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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)