Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
3,215 releases
-
Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says Belfast International Airport senior executives have agreed to meet her and constituents over reports of humiliating security screening experiences involving stoma bags. She also says she has contacted Belfast City Airport about sharing training, and will work with…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Belfast International Airport meeting over stoma bag security screening complaints Original release: Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over… (opens in a new tab)
-
Statement from Mike Nesbitt, Leader Ulster Unionist Party and Health Minister, on nurses pay rise
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, also Health Minister, says he shares the RCN's frustration that 2025-26 recommended nurse pay rises remain unimplemented, noting his May Ministerial Direction decision is stuck with the wider Executive.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurses 2025-26 pay award Ministerial Direction delay Original release: Statement from Mike Nesbitt, Leader Ulster Unionist Party and Health Minister, on nurses pay rise (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Executive disrespect for nurses risks strike action
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA warns the Executive is courting nurses' industrial action by not paying the agreed 3.6% pay rise, after the RCN declared a trade dispute. He says the RCN's June letter to the First and deputy First Ministers went unanswered and calls for urgent…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurses 2025-26 pay award Ministerial Direction delay Original release: McGrath: Executive disrespect for nurses risks strike action (opens in a new tab)
-
Ann Graves TD hosts meeting for families affected by drug addiction in Leinster House
Sinn Féin spokesperson Ann Graves TD says a meeting with Families Addiction Recovery Ireland highlighted concerns, and criticises a government diversion scheme for drug possession as a shortsighted move that undermines a health-led approach. She calls for families to be central to any new National…
Health Justice and policing Issue: Government diversion scheme for people caught with drugs Original release: Ann Graves TD hosts meeting for families affected by drug addiction in Leinster House (opens in a new tab)
-
Maskey expresses condolences following death of Eugene Thompson
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey expresses condolences on the death of Eugene Thompson, whose brother Paul was murdered in a sectarian attack in 1994. He says the British government continues to conceal the truth about the killing and points to a letter Chief Constable Jon Boutcher delivered to Thompson…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Maskey expresses condolences following death of Eugene Thompson (opens in a new tab)
-
Display of Flags and Emblems Bill
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland publishes details of its consultation on Paula Bradshaw's proposed Display of Flags and Emblems Bill, which would regulate emblems on street furniture such as lamp posts. The bill would set time limits for displays, limit them to celebration and commemoration…
Community relations and legacy Issue: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill consultation Original release: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill (opens in a new tab)
-
McGrath: Waiting list crisis demands concrete response
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA questions why it took so long to appoint Professor Mark Taylor to lead efforts on health waiting lists, and calls for concrete action and clearer detail on his role rather than recycled funding figures.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: McGrath: Waiting list crisis demands concrete response (opens in a new tab)
-
Terrorists Are Not Just ‘Local Lads’, Ms O’Neill
TUV chairman Councillor Allister Kyle criticises Michelle O'Neill's Irish Times interview, saying IRA members killed by security forces were active terrorists, not "local lads", and accusing her of sanitising republican violence and rewriting history.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: O'Neill Irish Times interview comments on IRA history Original release: Terrorists Are Not Just ‘Local Lads’, Ms O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
-
O’Neill’s comments a pathetic attempt to rewrite IRA history - Clarke
DUP MLA Trevor Clarke accuses First Minister Michelle O'Neill of attempting to rewrite IRA history after her Irish Times interview comments on the security forces dealing with IRA members on 'active service'. He says she has not acknowledged victims' pain and should address GAA clubs naming…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: O'Neill Irish Times interview comments on IRA history Original release: O’Neill’s comments a pathetic attempt to rewrite IRA history - Clarke (opens in a new tab)
-
Renewed focus on waiting lists needed - Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the appointment of Professor Mark Taylor to drive down waiting lists across Northern Ireland, saying patients need visible progress and hoping his role brings fresh urgency to waiting times and access to care.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: Renewed focus on waiting lists needed - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
-
McGuigan welcomes appointment of Clinical Director for Elective Care
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes the Health Minister's appointment of Professor Mark Taylor to the newly created post of Elective Care lead, and says he will work with the minister to cut waiting lists using £215 million in this year's budget.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: McGuigan welcomes appointment of Clinical Director for Elective Care (opens in a new tab)
-
Resolution needed to GP dispute to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to meet GP representatives urgently and seek a quick settlement of the GP dispute with the Department of Health, which has led to collective action this week. He says pressure on GPs is limiting patients' access to appointments.
Health Issue: GP collective action over Department of Health dispute Original release: Resolution needed to GP dispute to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
-
TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston writes to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt raising safeguarding concerns about the Department's new gender identity service, which he says appears to accept referrals without a lower age limit. He demands full disclosure of the policy's development, consultees and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency (opens in a new tab)
-
Chambers welcome new emphasis on waiting times
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers welcomes the Health Minister’s creation of a senior role for Professor Mark Taylor to drive recovery of waiting times in Northern Ireland, calling the move a highly welcome decision that will help patients after long delays.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: Chambers welcome new emphasis on waiting times (opens in a new tab)
-
McAllister reiterates call for the Health Minister to engage with GPs
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to immediately engage with GPs after the BMA announced collective action over a Department of Health funding settlement GPs voted against. She says the imposed package offers 50p against a stated £39 per patient requirement.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: GP collective action over Department of Health dispute Original release: McAllister reiterates call for the Health Minister to engage with GPs (opens in a new tab)
-
Current unregulated approach to bonfires is not working – Finucane
Sinn Féin MP John Finucane urges political action against illegal, unregulated bonfires, arguing self-regulation has failed after bonfires built on contaminated land, near hospitals and used for racist or sectarian displays.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Original release: Current unregulated approach to bonfires is not working – Finucane (opens in a new tab)
-
BBC Clarification Falls Far Short of Accountability
TUV says the BBC's clarification over its coverage of Goldsprings Orange Lodge's complaint is inadequate, noting no on-air apology has followed and the complaint from TUV's Sammy Morrison remains unanswered. It calls for referral to the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit.
Community relations and legacy Issue: BBC clarification on Goldsprings Orange Lodge complaint over Comber cricket camp coverage Original release: BBC Clarification Falls Far Short of Accountability (opens in a new tab)
-
Nothing gracious about the IRA - Brett
North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett says Gerry Adams's claim that the IRA acted 'graciously' in ending its campaign is an effort by Sinn Féin to recast history. He says the IRA was forced to stop by British security pressure and cites the Shankill Road and La Mon bombings.
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Gerry Adams claim that the IRA acted graciously in ending campaign Original release: Nothing gracious about the IRA - Brett (opens in a new tab)
-
Ní Chuilín welcomes investment for Brackenburn Clinic
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes Department of Health investment in the Brackenburn Clinic, saying it is long overdue and will help trans people access timely, consent-based medical care. She urges the minister to ensure the clinic meets their needs.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health investment in Brackenburn Clinic Original release: Ní Chuilín welcomes investment for Brackenburn Clinic (opens in a new tab)
-
Long pays tribute to early intervention counsellors in Nexus NI pilot project
Justice Minister Naomi Long pays tribute to counsellors delivering the Crisis De-escalation Service, a pilot early intervention scheme run by Nexus NI for survivors of sexual violence and abuse. She says it helps survivors while they wait for longer-term counselling.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Nexus NI Crisis De-escalation Service pilot visit Original release: Long pays tribute to early intervention counsellors in Nexus NI pilot project (opens in a new tab)