Latest releases
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3,622 releases
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McGrath: Bullying endemic within our health service
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says bullying is endemic across the North's health service, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced special measures for the Belfast Trust over Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiac Unit reports. He calls for the Minister to address wider…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: McGrath: Bullying endemic within our health service (opens in a new tab)
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Border posts to stay, it seems, despite proclaimed deal
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says a parliamentary answer shows no UK-EU deal removing SPS checks exists, so Irish Sea border posts at Northern Ish ports may still be needed, calling the proclaimed deal smoke and mirrors.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU Reset Deal announcement Original release: Border posts to stay, it seems, despite proclaimed deal (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says a united Ireland is the only realistic way back into the EU, ahead of an Assembly Opposition motion marking nine years since the Brexit vote and urging other parties to accept it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly Opposition motion on a New Ireland and EU rejoining Original release: O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin calls for urgent funding to create Northern Ireland’s first specialist Mother and Baby Unit, saying the continued reliance on general psychiatric wards separates mothers from infants and reflects a broader failure to prioritise women’s health.
Health Disability and equality Original release: McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood has written to BBC Northern Ireland's director asking for confirmation that the broadcaster will not add geoblocking to its news content, after weekend reports it was considering such a move. He argues restricting cross-border news access would harm audiences and the public…
Constitutional affairs Issue: BBC considering geoblocking of news content for Republic of Ireland audiences Original release: Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking (opens in a new tab)
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A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says the best future for the island is repairing Brexit's damage through deeper EU ties and Irish unity via a referendum. He welcomes EU and UK engagement on a new relationship but wants details on the north. He calls for observer status for northern MEPs and an EU…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly motion on a European future for the north Original release: A new constitutional future in the EU ‘best for island’ – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Alliance councillor Jessica Johnston has been installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the first Alliance representative to hold the role. She says she will promote youth political engagement, sport and exercise, and the Macmillan Move More Programme for…
Local government Health Original release: Jessica Johnston officially installed as Deputy Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (opens in a new tab)
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UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out
TUV North Down chairman Peter Wilson calls the UK-EU Reset Deal a betrayal of the Union, arguing that the Irish Sea border persists through new Larne port border posts and EU customs and SPS rules. He accuses the DUP of repackaging surrender as success.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU Reset Deal announcement Original release: UK-EU Reset Deal Is a Sell-Out (opens in a new tab)
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Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes says the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on its last-term work on legacy, all-island healthcare and constitutional change. He calls for proactive engagement with northern voices, including unionist and British identity voices.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Joint Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee first meeting of new term Original release: Good Friday Agreement Committee must build on progress from last term – Hughes (opens in a new tab)
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RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew says a recent inspection report into the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit is shocking but not surprising, claiming healthcare staff widely fear speaking out and lack trust in whistleblowing protections. He backs his own proposed individual duty of candour…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: RVH report reinforces need to protect healthcare staff: Frew (opens in a new tab)
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Suicide Prevention Training Bill will ensure support and timely intervention – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn announces a proposed bill that would impose a legal duty on public employers to train frontline staff in suicide prevention, citing high suicide rates and higher risk in deprived areas.
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Chambers welcomes publication of further waiting list plans
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the publication of a funded plan to tackle hospital waiting lists and the reopening of the £10m reimbursement scheme for patients waiting two years or more to have surgery in the Republic. He criticises DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA's…
Health Issue: Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme reopening and waiting list implementation plan Original release: Chambers welcomes publication of further waiting list plans (opens in a new tab)
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Belfast Trusts response to leaked Cardiac Hub report will be measured in demonstrable actions and not words alone – Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says the Belfast Trust's response to a leaked report on bullying at the Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiac Hub will be judged on demonstrable actions, not words. He welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's push for answers and urges urgent cultural change.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Belfast Trusts response to leaked Cardiac Hub report will be measured in demonstrable actions and not words alone – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Culture in Belfast Trust must change – Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds raises concerns about workplace culture in the Belfast Trust after a cardiac unit report at the Royal Victoria Hospital, calls for an independent investigation, and says the Minister appeared unaware of wider problems. She also criticises the Minister's claim…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Culture in Belfast Trust must change – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to step in and assume greater authority over the Belfast Trust after alarming reports from the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Cardiac Unit, calling for direct ministerial control to address systemic failures.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)
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EU-British agreement to reduce trade barriers welcome, but we need to talk about legacy – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion welcomes parts of the EU-British agreement announced at the May 19 UK-EU Summit but warns of caution, arguing the British government is using the reset to reinterpret agreements. She says the Legacy Act breaches the ECHR and Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, and…
Community relations and legacy International affairs Issue: UK-EU summit on 19 May 2025 Original release: EU-British agreement to reduce trade barriers welcome, but we need to talk about legacy – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes promise to publish damning report into RVH cardiac unit
DUP MLA Diane Dodds welcomes the Health Minister's agreement to publish an external review of the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit, which found bullying, poor behaviour and a significant risk to public safety. She calls for demonstrable action to restore trust in the Trust.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Dodds welcomes promise to publish damning report into RVH cardiac unit (opens in a new tab)
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Follow up action needed by Health Minister to avoid continued crisis in dental sector, says Donnelly
Alliance health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA welcomes the Health Minister's funding for general dental services, including support for dentists treating NHS patients and a fee increase, but says further action is needed to prevent the sector's crisis from deepening.
Health Issue: Health Minister's general dental services funding announcement following Alliance Assembly motion Original release: Follow up action needed by Health Minister to avoid continued crisis in dental sector, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Lack of clear CAMHS waiting list data is unacceptable
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA expresses serious concern that incomplete data on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services waiting times, linked to the encompass system rollout, is hindering planning. He calls on the Health Minister to lead urgent action.
Health Issue: NISRA quarterly CAMHS waiting list figures publication May 2025 Original release: McGrath: Lack of clear CAMHS waiting list data is unacceptable (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: “We are nearing 100,000 attacks on healthcare staff”
SDLP MLA for South Down Colin McGrath says a written Assembly answer shows nearly 90,000 physical attacks on healthcare staff over the last decade, calling this a stain on society. He will press the Health and Justice Ministers for a coordinated strategy on prevention, protection and accountability.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Written Assembly answer on physical attacks against healthcare staff Original release: McGrath: “We are nearing 100,000 attacks on healthcare staff” (opens in a new tab)