Latest releases
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3,622 releases
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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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Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA welcomes the First and deputy First Ministers' announcement to reconstitute the Civic Forum, but says it should have happened long ago. He questions whether it can be established by the end of this mandate and says Alliance will keep…
Constitutional affairs Issue: First and deputy First Ministers announce reconstitution of the Civic Forum Original release: Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson (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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Allister tells Glasgow 12th of Protocol risk to the UK
TUV leader Jim Allister tells the Glasgow Twelfth that the Windsor Framework threatens the UK's union by fettering trade with Northern Ireland and placing it under EU laws. He asks Scottish unionists to join in rejecting the framework.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Allister tells Glasgow 12th of Protocol risk to the UK (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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European Parliament recognises that Irish environment knows no borders
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan welcomes the European Parliament's Environment Committee adopting her amendment recognising the island of Ireland as a single ecological unit. The amendment, part of an opinion on the post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreement, also calls for more cooperation through Good Friday…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: European Parliament Environment Committee adopts Boylan amendment on Ireland's ecology Original release: European Parliament recognises that Irish environment knows no borders (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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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)
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McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Belfast Trust needs systemic reform after its chair's departure, citing a Cardiac Unit workplace culture scandal and the delayed maternity hospital. He urges the Health Minister to appoint a new chair quickly.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust chair departure Original release: McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)
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The problems that have led to the initial service collapse at SWAH have not been fully addressed – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says he is deeply concerned by the Western Trust’s plan to launch a consultation on permanently removing Emergency General Surgery at South West Acute Hospital, noting that the problems that caused the 2022 service collapse have not been fully addressed and urging a thorough,
Health Issue: Western Trust consultation on removing Emergency General Surgery at SWAH Original release: The problems that have led to the initial service collapse at SWAH have not been fully addressed – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Our focus is on making Northern Ireland work - Robinson
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP says the party will focus on making Northern Ireland work within the UK, responding to a Dublin City and Ulster University report estimating the costs of a united Ireland. He questions its assumptions on pensions and UK debt and argues most people want to remain in the…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Dublin City and Ulster University report on costs of a united Ireland Original release: Our focus is on making Northern Ireland work - Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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New research shows no economic barriers to Irish Unity – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD welcomes joint Ulster University and DCU research finding no economic barriers to Irish unity, arguing the so-called subvention was misunderstood. He calls on the government to prepare now for an all-Ireland economy and show leadership.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Dublin City and Ulster University report on costs of a united Ireland Original release: New research shows no economic barriers to Irish Unity – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)
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Westminster will never serve the interests of workers and families in Ireland – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says Westminster will never serve workers and families on the island, criticising the chaos over proposed welfare cuts. He calls for continued opposition to cuts and proper investment in welfare and public services, and argues a united Ireland is the best option.
Social security and welfare Constitutional affairs Issue: Westminster welfare cuts proposals and parliamentary chaos Original release: Westminster will never serve the interests of workers and families in Ireland – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)