Latest releases
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4,936 releases
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McLaughlin secures review into social services after raising concerns with Minister
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's confirmation that officials will review how social services operate alongside family courts, after she raised parents' cases with him. She says the review must move quickly and questions why concerns did not reach the…
Health Issue: Health Department review of social services and family courts Original release: McLaughlin secures review into social services after raising concerns with Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Lough investigation must prompt action from Infrastructure Minister, says Alliance representatives
Alliance MLAs Stewart Dickson and Connie Egan call on the Infrastructure Minister to act after an Office for Environmental Protection investigation into NI Water sewage discharges into Belfast Lough. They urge green-lighting Kinnegar Wastewater Treatment Works upgrades and criticise Executive…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Office for Environmental Protection investigation into NI Water sewage discharges into Belfast Lough Original release: Belfast Lough investigation must prompt action from Infrastructure Minister, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence brings renewed focus to ending violence against women and girls, says Egan
Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan says gender-based violence has no place in society and highlights this year's 16 Days of Activism theme, 'No Excuse for Online Abuse', amid a rise in deepfake videos of women.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence brings renewed focus to ending violence against women and girls, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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Tinkering around the edges will not fix a fundamentally flawed system…
DUP MLA David Brooks says a £16 million Treasury package for businesses affected by Windsor Framework supply chain disruption is "too little, too late" and calls for radical change beyond the framework, not limited damage control. He argues the funding does not remove the at-risk customs test, SPS…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Treasury £16 million Windsor Framework business support package Original release: Tinkering around the edges will not fix a fundamentally flawed system… (opens in a new tab)
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High number of social work vacancies ‘alarming’ – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says more than 80 social work posts are vacant in the Belfast Trust, calling the figure alarming and urging the Department of Health to fill the posts urgently so staff are not overstretched and vulnerable people receive care.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust social work vacancies Original release: High number of social work vacancies ‘alarming’ – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Jim O’Callaghan to admit EU Migration and Asylum Pact is not in Ireland’s interest – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy TD urges Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to concede that the EU migration pact fails Ireland given its Common Travel Area ties, and to prioritise a bilateral returns deal with Britain before O'Callaghan meets EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner.
Immigration International affairs Issue: Justice Minister O'Callaghan meeting with EU Commissioner Brunner on migration pact Original release: Time for Jim O’Callaghan to admit EU Migration and Asylum Pact is not in Ireland’s interest – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath expresses concern about health service funding
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says he is concerned about future health service funding, pressing Health Minister Mike Nesbitt in the Assembly over a projected £200m overspend this year and its effect on next year's budget.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health department projected £200m overspend and future funding concerns Original release: McGrath expresses concern about health service funding (opens in a new tab)
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Significant Reduction in Endoscopy Waiting Lists
UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes a 62% fall in endoscopy waiting lists to their lowest level since before COVID-19, citing regional endoscopy centres at Lagan Valley and Omagh hospitals and independent-sector insourcing. The release says recurrent funding is being sought to bring this…
Health Issue: Endoscopy waiting list reduction figures October 2025 Original release: Significant Reduction in Endoscopy Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)
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Allister highlights TUV growth at largest ever annual party dinner
TUV leader Jim Allister says the party is expanding and attacks the DUP for backing the Donaldson/DUP deal that enforces the Stormont Protocol, warning of customs borders and urging unionists to support a No Executive stance in the 2027 election.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Donaldson/DUP deal implementing Stormont Protocol Original release: Allister highlights TUV growth at largest ever annual party dinner (opens in a new tab)
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Executive statement dodges COVID findings on Stormont disfunction
TUV chairman Allister Kyle says the Executive Office's written statement on the COVID Inquiry avoids its findings on Stormont dysfunction, including ministerial party politics, leaks and the Michelle O'Neill funeral attendance. He calls the response evasive and says Stormont is unreformable.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Executive statement dodges COVID findings on Stormont disfunction (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls on the Health Minister to expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health and confirm a clear timeframe, citing unsustainable conditions at Holywell Hospital in Antrim.
Health Issue: Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health funding approval Original release: Minister must expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Kathleen Funchion MEP to host major conference on gender-based violence
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion says she will host a conference in Limerick tomorrow on gender-based violence, bringing together frontline practitioners, policymakers and survivors to share best practice and strengthen cross-sector cooperation on ending violence against women and girls.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Kathleen Funchion MEP to host major conference on gender-based violence (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party
The DUP welcomes the publication of the latest UK Covid Inquiry report, expressing sympathy for those bereaved and saying its Ministers prioritised what they believed were Northern Ireland's best interests. It says the party cooperated fully with the Inquiry and commits to acting on lessons for…
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Covid Inquiry findings highlight lack of political leadership
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the Covid-19 Inquiry findings show a lack of political leadership at Stormont and calls for a serious programme of institutional reform. He accuses Sinn Féin and the DUP of prioritising partisan interests over public safety during the pandemic.
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: O’Toole: Covid Inquiry findings highlight lack of political leadership (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister: Small steps can make a big difference this winter
The Department of Health, speaking through Health Minister Mike Nesbitt during National Self-Care Week, urges the public to manage their physical health and mental wellbeing this winter, check on older neighbours, and use community pharmacies via the Pharmacy First service for minor illnesses.
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First and deputy First Minister’s response to Covid-19 Inquiry inadequate, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says the Executive's response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is inadequate and calls for independent expert input. She criticises the planned inter-departmental committee and calls for collegiate decision-making led from the Executive Office…
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive response to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 findings Original release: First and deputy First Minister’s response to Covid-19 Inquiry inadequate, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath expresses concern at rise in suicides
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA raises serious concern at rising suicide figures in Northern Ireland, citing NISRA three-year averages rising to 238.0 in 2024, and calls for an Executive-wide response addressing underlying issues.
Health Issue: NISRA suicide figures rise in Northern Ireland Original release: McGrath expresses concern at rise in suicides (opens in a new tab)
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New Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has published a new Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland, aiming to boost research, innovation and collaboration, increase clinical trial participation and improve patient outcomes. A Cancer Research Advisory Group will oversee delivery.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Cancer Research Strategic Framework publication Original release: New Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party comments on Covid Inquiry Findings
UUP responds to the Covid Inquiry's second report on core decision-making and political governance, saying it will examine the findings to ensure lessons are learned. It says the inquiry confirmed Michelle O'Neill's attendance at a funeral during the Deputy First Minister period was a mistake that…
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Ulster Unionist Party comments on Covid Inquiry Findings (opens in a new tab)
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Covid Inquiry underscores need for Stormont reform, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA says the Covid Inquiry’s second report shows cross‑community votes were misused, creating dysfunctional decision‑making, and calls on the Secretary of State to begin Stormont power‑sharing reform with local parties and the Irish Government.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Covid Inquiry underscores need for Stormont reform, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)