Latest releases
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4,779 releases
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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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Hunter urges Executive to back universal free school meals by 2030
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA calls on the Executive to commit to universal free school meals by 2030, ahead of an SDLP Opposition Day motion. She says the Minister and Executive failed to restore holiday hunger payments and that the Education Authority has raised school…
Education Social security and welfare Issue: SDLP Opposition Day motion on universal free school meals by 2030 Original release: Hunter urges Executive to back universal free school meals by 2030 (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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Ratcliffe reacts to Supreme Court judgement on RE
TUV councillor Keith Ratcliffe says the Supreme Court RE judgement has not changed the law requiring Scriptural, Christian-rooted religious education in controlled schools. He urges the Education Minister to reaffirm that requirement and opposes any move towards a neutral or multi-faith model.
Education Issue: Supreme Court ruling on mandatory Christian worship in NI schools Original release: Ratcliffe reacts to Supreme Court judgement on RE (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)
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Dundalk University College announcement can be a vital project for Shared Island Unit – Ruairí Ó Murchú TD
Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú welcomes the Dundalk IT and Queen's University Belfast partnership to create Dundalk University College, saying it could be a vital Shared Island project. He calls for legislation to cement the partnership and says it would help develop the Dublin-Belfast corridor.
Education Issue: Queen’s‑Dundalk all‑island university college partnership Original release: Dundalk University College announcement can be a vital project for Shared Island Unit – Ruairí Ó Murchú TD (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn welcomes supreme court ruling on religious education in schools
Green Party councillor Flynn welcomes the Supreme Court judgment on compulsory religious worship in Northern Ireland schools, urging the Executive to act quickly to overhaul the education framework so pupils from all backgrounds, including non-religious families, feel respected.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Supreme Court ruling on mandatory Christian worship in NI schools Original release: Cllr Flynn welcomes supreme court ruling on religious education in schools (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 20 November 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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New all-island university college an ‘exciting development’ for students and communities – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomed the creation of an all‑island university college linking Queen’s University Belfast with Dundalk Institute of Technology, saying it will strengthen education, keep talent on the island, draw investment and give border students clearer degree routes.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Queen’s‑Dundalk all‑island university college partnership Original release: New all-island university college an ‘exciting development’ for students and communities – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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Allister blasts RE judgement and calls on Education Minister to protect the Christian ethos in schools
TUV MP Jim Allister criticises a recent judgement on Religious Education, rejecting the term 'indoctrination' for Christian teaching in schools and claiming it favours non-Christian parents' rights over Christian parents'. He calls on the Education Minister to set out immediately how Christian…
Education Issue: Judgement on Religious Education and Christian teaching in schools Original release: Allister blasts RE judgement and calls on Education Minister to protect the Christian ethos in schools (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer delays are costing lives - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA urges immediate action from the Health Minister on cancer treatment delays, citing a 41-year-old woman's 112-day referral-to-treatment wait and questioning the diversion of around £70m of ring-fenced waiting list funding.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Minister's confirmation that £70m of ring-fenced waiting list funding was redirected Original release: Cancer delays are costing lives - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes partnership between QUB and DkIT
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes a new partnership between Queen's University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology, set to start next year, which she says will boost cross-border research and create student opportunities across the island.
Education Issue: Queen’s‑Dundalk all‑island university college partnership Original release: Hanna welcomes partnership between QUB and DkIT (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Clarity not culture war needed following Supreme Court ruling on religious education
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter calls for the Education Minister to issue legally sound guidance to schools, staff, pupils and families on what the Supreme Court ruling on Religious Education means. She says religion is not being removed from schools and criticises some for…
Education Issue: Supreme Court ruling on mandatory Christian worship in NI schools Original release: Hunter: Clarity not culture war needed following Supreme Court ruling on religious education (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party Comments on Supreme Court Ruling on Religious Education
UUP education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA urges the Department of Education to quickly issue interim guidance to schools and parents on the scope of the Supreme Court decision on religious instruction and collective worship. He says the judgment is lengthy and complex, and warns it could…
Education Issue: Supreme Court ruling on mandatory Christian worship in NI schools Original release: Ulster Unionist Party Comments on Supreme Court Ruling on Religious Education (opens in a new tab)
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Nicholl calls for tighter regulation in process of declaring as medically unfit to drive
Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl calls for tighter regulation of how drivers deemed medically unfit must report their condition to DVANI, citing a fatal cycling collision and a gap that lets drivers decide whether to report. She says the issue needs cross-departmental work.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Nicholl calls for tighter regulation in process of declaring as medically unfit to drive (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister must provide guidance for schools following Supreme Court judgement, says Mathison
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA urges the Education Minister to issue guidance for schools on religious education following the Supreme Court ruling that current RE provision is not critical, objective or pluralistic. He says the aim is inclusive schools that respect both…
Education Issue: Judgement on Religious Education and Christian teaching in schools Original release: Education Minister must provide guidance for schools following Supreme Court judgement, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Health funding redirection only further demonstrates minister's financial mismanagement, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the diversion of over £70m of £215m ring-fenced for waiting lists to cut the Department of Health's budget deficit shows the Health Minister cannot manage his budget. She calls on him to clarify other ring-fenced funds redirected and urges…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Minister's confirmation that £70m of ring-fenced waiting list funding was redirected Original release: Health funding redirection only further demonstrates minister's financial mismanagement, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)