Latest releases
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3,450 releases
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Health Minister is the one with questions to answer - Buckley
DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley says the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, must answer questions over the £800,000 allocated to gender identity services and will be challenged when the Assembly returns in September. He claims the Minister is avoiding scrutiny and says the spending is poor prioritisation…
Health Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: Health Minister is the one with questions to answer - Buckley (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly condemns racially motivated criminal damage to two houses in Larne, where police are investigating graffiti and property damage in Hampton Crescent and Doric Way. She urges anyone with information to contact police immediately.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Larne racially motivated criminal damage to two houses investigation Original release: Donnelly condemns racially motivated hate crimes in Larne (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls for urgent scrutiny of the Irish medium sector after Assembly answer figures showed just 20 newcomer pupils in Irish medium primary schools and none in post-primary. He says the sector should take its fair share of newcomer children.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Assembly answer on newcomer pupil enrolment in Irish medium schools Original release: TUV Challenges Irish Medium Sector on Lack of Newcomer Intake (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Launch Public Petition Calling for Funding to Gender Identity Service to be Stopped
Traditional Unionist Voice launches an online petition urging Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to reverse the £800,000 approval for a new “lifespan” gender identity service with no lower age limit, arguing the evidence is insufficient, it endangers children and misuses public money.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: TUV Launch Public Petition Calling for Funding to Gender Identity Service to be Stopped (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Mallaghan calls for action to address capacity issues in Irish Medium Education
Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan says action is required to address places shortages in Irish-medium education after St Joseph's in Donaghmore, the only such provider in Mid Ulster, turned away 11 children due to accommodation limits. He urges the Education Minister and his department to work closely…
Education Issue: St Joseph's Donaghmore rejects 11 Irish-medium secondary applications due to accommodation Original release: Mallaghan calls for action to address capacity issues in Irish Medium Education (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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Banning Conversion Practices
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson proposes a Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland, creating two new offences: engaging in conversion practice, and removing a person from Northern Ireland for that purpose.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland Original release: Banning Conversion Practices (opens in a new tab)
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Process to become integrated shouldn't be uphill battle for schools, says Guy, following QUB report publication
Alliance education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA says the process for schools seeking integrated status should not be an uphill battle, and calls on the Education Minister and his department to do more to support integrated education following a Queen's University report on the transformation…
Education Issue: Queen's University report on integrated education transformation process Original release: Process to become integrated shouldn't be uphill battle for schools, says Guy, following QUB report publication (opens in a new tab)
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly is introducing a Bill that would require public authorities in Northern Ireland to give statutory due regard to the rights set out in the UN disability treaty, UNCRPD, when developing and reviewing policies and decisions.
Disability and equality Issue: UNCRPD public authorities due regard Bill introduction Original release: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation
TUV Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure condemns a figure dressed as Jesus Christ in Belfast Pride's parade as offensive to Christians and says public sector bodies taking part will be challenged over Section 75 obligations and political neutrality.
Disability and equality Issue: Individual dressed as Jesus Christ at Belfast Pride parade Original release: TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation (opens in a new tab)