Latest releases
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2,489 releases
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McGrath: Executive parties gaslighting public on health funding
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says Executive parties are gaslighting the public over funding to clear health waiting lists, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the budget contained no £215m additional investment for them.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: McGrath: Executive parties gaslighting public on health funding (opens in a new tab)
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Those behind Mournes fires must be held to account – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard condemns those responsible for deliberately starting wildfires in the Mournes, thanks firefighters, and calls for a thorough probe into causes and impacts plus accountability for those responsible.
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Mourne Mountains wildfires started deliberately Original release: Those behind Mournes fires must be held to account – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Representatives express concerns following Mourne Mountains Fires
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray and Councillor Jill Truesdale express concern over gorse fires spreading across the Mourne Mountains, blaming deliberate fire lighting. They urge people to follow NIFRS evacuation advice, be vigilant with fires and report displaced ponies.
Environment and climate Issue: Mourne Mountains wildfires started deliberately Original release: Alliance Representatives express concerns following Mourne Mountains Fires (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Unity is best defence to climate challenge – Lynn Boylan MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan says a conference in Dublin on climate change and an all-island strategy found broad agreement that Irish unity would best equip the island to meet the climate challenge. Boylan points to Storm Éowyn's cross-border impact as evidence for a joint approach.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin all-island climate change conference in Dublin Original release: Irish Unity is best defence to climate challenge – Lynn Boylan MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Irish unity is best defence to climate challenge – Boylan
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan says a conference in Dublin on climate change across the island found broad agreement that Irish unity offers the best route to meeting the challenge, citing Storm Éowyn's cross-border impact as evidence for an all-island environmental strategy.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Original release: Irish unity is best defence to climate challenge – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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Budget underlines Executive’s commitment to health – McGuigan
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA welcomes the Executive's agreed budget, saying £215 million for 2025/26 will fund cutting waiting lists and investment in elective care. He says it shows the Executive's commitment to health.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: Budget underlines Executive’s commitment to health – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Underwhelming Budget won’t fix our problems
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says the Executive's final 2025/26 budget, signed off at Thursday's meeting, lacks the resources to tackle Northern Ireland's problems and calls for multi-year budgeting. He criticises the Executive for blaming the UK Government.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: McGrath: Underwhelming Budget won’t fix our problems (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan calls for improved autism services and greater inclusion of people with autism
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan calls for better autism services and wider inclusion of autistic people in daily life as World Autism Month begins. He credits Autism NI and Caleb's Cause for advocacy, and says cross-departmental action is needed, pledging work with the Health, Education and Economy…
Disability and equality Health Original release: Boylan calls for improved autism services and greater inclusion of people with autism (opens in a new tab)
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GB Energy shouldn't fund damage of NI tourism: Wilson
DUP MP Sammy Wilson calls for a clear government commitment that GB Energy will not fund a proposed offshore wind farm near the Giant's Causeway, arguing it would damage the World Heritage Site and the tourism industry. He says the government failed to give a straight answer at Northern Ireland…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed offshore wind farm near Giant's Causeway and GB Energy funding Original release: GB Energy shouldn't fund damage of NI tourism: Wilson (opens in a new tab)
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Focus Needed on Lough Neagh Ahead of Summer - Swann & Butler
UUP MP Robin Swann and AERA Committee Chair Robbie Butler MLA call for renewed focus on the Lough Neagh algae crisis after Environment Minister Andrew Muir confirmed an 80% probability of a blue-green algae bloom this summer. Swann urges delivery of the Lough Neagh Action Plan on time, while…
Environment and climate Issue: Minister Muir confirms 80% probability of Lough Neagh algae bloom Original release: Focus Needed on Lough Neagh Ahead of Summer - Swann & Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Link between poverty and suicide crisis can’t be ignored
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan urges the Executive to recognise the link between poverty and rising suicide rates and calls for an effective anti-poverty strategy, following a Samaritans report on inequality and suicidality. He says suicide rates are three times higher in deprived areas and calls…
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Samaritans 'Lost Futures' report on poverty and suicide in Northern Ireland Original release: Durkan: Link between poverty and suicide crisis can’t be ignored (opens in a new tab)
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Craigavon Hospital redevelopment must be prioritised - Dodds
Upper Bann DUP MLA Diane Dodds calls on the Health Minister to approve and fund the Southern Trust's programme business case for redeveloping Craigavon Area Hospital in the next financial year, citing an outdated estate and a £151 million Phase 1A bid.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment Assembly motion Original release: Craigavon Hospital redevelopment must be prioritised - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive must deliver Public Land Agency
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive lacks a credible housing plan after an Assembly motion calling for a Public Land Agency passed, with the DUP opposed. He says the agency could identify public land for housebuilding.
Housing Issue: Assembly motion on establishing a Public Land Agency for housebuilding Original release: Durkan: Executive must deliver Public Land Agency (opens in a new tab)
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Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment must be progressed - Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds has tabled an Assembly motion highlighting the need to redevelop Craigavon Area Hospital, saying its main building has had no major capital investment in over fifty years. She urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to back and finance the trust's programme business case.
Health Issue: Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment Assembly motion Original release: Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment must be progressed - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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While Dáil Drowns in Dysfunction Government Sneak Through EU Migration Implementation Plan -Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín criticises the Government's National Implementation Plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, published by the Department of Justice, saying it was released while the Dáil was dysfunctional and warning of up to €1.2 billion in taxpayer costs.
Immigration Public finance and taxation Issue: National Implementation Plan for EU Migration and Asylum Pact published Original release: While Dáil Drowns in Dysfunction Government Sneak Through EU Migration Implementation Plan -Tóibín (opens in a new tab)
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Independent report lays bare the damage of stop-start government in Northern Ireland, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a UCL report on Assembly collapses shows stop-start government is damaging public services and blocking reform. She calls for removing Executive veto powers and for institutional reform talks before the next Assembly election.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: UCL report on Stormont power-sharing reform and Assembly collapses Original release: Independent report lays bare the damage of stop-start government in Northern Ireland, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP launches plan to fix housing emergency
SDLP launches its policy paper 'Building Firm Foundations', setting out how the Executive could deliver 100,000 new homes by 2039, including 2,600 social homes a year and a Public Land Agency.
Housing Issue: SDLP 'Building Firm Foundations' housing policy paper launch Original release: SDLP launches plan to fix housing emergency (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison calls for investment in a dedicated care pathway for Facial Palsy patients
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison urges the Health Minister to set up a dedicated facial palsy care pathway, saying Northern Ireland lacks a multi-disciplinary team and patients face long waits and costly travel. He says the Department's pathway work has been slow and the promised 2019 interim service is…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Facial palsy care pathway call at Stormont event hosted by Facial Palsy UK Original release: Mathison calls for investment in a dedicated care pathway for Facial Palsy patients (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey welcomes completion of Belfast flood defence scheme
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey welcomes completion of the £33 million Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme by the Department for Infrastructure, which installs defences along the River Lagan to protect over 3,000 homes and businesses. She calls for fairer Executive funding from the British…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme completion Original release: Hargey welcomes completion of Belfast flood defence scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Lavery disappointed and confused at Sinn Féin U-Turn on rights and protections for renters
Alliance Lurgan Councillor Peter Lavery says he is disappointed and confused after Sinn Féin and the DUP removed calls for a ban on no fault evictions and a minimum social housing requirement from a renters' rights motion at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. He cites over 38,000 private…
Housing Local government Issue: Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council renters' rights motion amended by Sinn Féin and DUP Original release: Lavery disappointed and confused at Sinn Féin U-Turn on rights and protections for renters (opens in a new tab)