Latest releases
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2,489 releases
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McGuigan welcomes medical and dental pay deals
Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA welcomes approval of the medical and dental pay deals, which are to be backdated to April 2024. He says the party will continue to stand in solidarity with resident doctors and dentists in training, whose pay negotiations are ongoing.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Medical and dental pay deals approved and backdated to April 2024 Original release: McGuigan welcomes medical and dental pay deals (opens in a new tab)
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Latest frailty and failure of Assisted Dying Bill exposed
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the removal of the requirement for a High Court judge to scrutinise assisted dying cases exposes the weakness of the Assisted Dying Bill's safeguards and should concern MPs who initially supported it.
Health Issue: Removal of High Court judge scrutiny from Assisted Dying Bill Original release: Latest frailty and failure of Assisted Dying Bill exposed (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: NI temporary accommodation spend soars to almost £46k per day
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan condemns rising spending on hotels and B&Bs for temporary housing, which he says grew from zero in 2016/17 to an expected £16.6 million in 2024/25, and calls on the Executive to act urgently.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly question on non-standard temporary accommodation spend Original release: Durkan: NI temporary accommodation spend soars to almost £46k per day (opens in a new tab)
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Improved occupational health services vital for welfare of police…
DUP Policing Board member Trevor Clarke MLA urges the Chief Constable to act swiftly on improving occupational health provision for PSNI officers, highlighting long waits, mental‑health crises and the need for a preventative in‑work support model.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Delays in PSNI occupational health services Original release: Improved occupational health services vital for welfare of police… (opens in a new tab)
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Communities in worst affected areas feel let down and forgotten in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy says communities in worst-hit areas such as Monaghan and Cavan feel let down after Storm Éowyn, and calls for investment in the electricity grid, water services and storm planning. He also urges ESB compensation for prolonged power cuts and underground routing for the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Storm Éowyn aftermath and Dáil statements on government response Original release: Communities in worst affected areas feel let down and forgotten in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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More must be done to improve suicide prevention services, training and awareness – Flynn Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says more must be done on suicide prevention after NISRA's 2023 suicide statistics, and says she intends to bring legislation requiring suicide prevention training for all frontline public sector workers.
Health Issue: NISRA suicide statistics for 2023 release Original release: More must be done to improve suicide prevention services, training and awareness – Flynn Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford calls for all-island co-operation on solutions for NI health, education, and the economy.
Alliance Economy spokesperson David Honeyford calls for cross-border co-operation with the Republic on health, education and the economy. He cites a child travelling to Manchester for cancer care and urges Invest NI to work with IDA Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Health Original release: Honeyford calls for all-island co-operation on solutions for NI health, education, and the economy. (opens in a new tab)
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Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart
DUP MP for Upper Bann Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All-Party Pro-Life Group, expresses deep concern at Northern Ireland abortion statistics showing 2,792 abortions in 2023/24, a 28.8% rise, and calls for work to repeal Westminster's abortion laws.
Health Issue: Department of Health abortion statistics for 2023/24 published Original release: Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters
Alliance MLA John Blair accuses Sinn Féin, the DUP, UUP and SDLP of blocking tougher penalties for repeat polluters after an Assembly vote. He says the other parties are undermining protection for Lough Neagh and farmers, and urges them to reflect on their stance.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly vote on stricter penalties for repeat polluters Original release: Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters (opens in a new tab)
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Fully implementing Cancer Strategy must be prioritised by DoH, says Donnelly, marking World Cancer Day.
Alliance Health spokesperson and East Antrim MLA Danny Donnelly calls for the Department of Health to fully implement the Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland, marking World Cancer Day 2025. He says many recommendations, including extending bowel screening to those aged 50 to 59, remain unactioned.
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Communities Minister Lyons reflects on year of real delivery
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons marks his first year in office, highlighting the Defective Premises Act, a Housing Supply Strategy targeting 100,000 homes, the Northern Ireland Football Fund and £17million for winter fuel support, and says delivery will continue.
Housing Social security and welfare Original release: Communities Minister Lyons reflects on year of real delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Brolly: Storm response must prioritise vulnerable
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says storm contingency plans must be accelerated so vulnerable people on the critical care register, including those on home dialysis, get power and support without delay. She calls for investment in generators for health services and cross-border collaboration…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Storm aftermath response and critical care register support Original release: Brolly: Storm response must prioritise vulnerable (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen responds to report into suspension of emergency surgery at SWAH
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen welcomes the RQIA review of the temporary suspension of emergency surgery at South West Acute Hospital, but says its narrow scope omits permanent service plans. He urges the Trust, NIAS and the Department of Health to implement the recommendations swiftly and says Sinn Féin –
Health Issue: RQIA review of SWAH emergency surgery suspension Original release: Cullen responds to report into suspension of emergency surgery at SWAH (opens in a new tab)
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Abortion statists reveal horrific rise
TUV leader Jim Allister says Department of Health abortion statistics show a 28.8% rise in 2023/24 to 2,792 terminations and calls on the Health Minister to explain why Northern Ireland still lacks socioeconomic and repeat-abortion data available in Great Britain, despite a 2024 assurance. TUV MLA…
Health Issue: Department of Health abortion statistics for 2023/24 published Original release: Abortion statists reveal horrific rise (opens in a new tab)
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‘Game changing’ ambulance mental health service must be maintained, says Donnelly.
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls on the Health Minister to keep funding for the NIAS control‑room mental health specialist pilot, which cuts 40% of mental‑health calls and eases ambulance pressure, after the Department said funding ends at the end of the 2025 financial year.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: NIAS mental health specialist pilot funding deadline Original release: ‘Game changing’ ambulance mental health service must be maintained, says Donnelly. (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Executive parties saying one thing and doing another on gambling
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Executive parties of contradicting themselves on gambling harm, citing a regulation raising betting stakes and prizes in registered clubs passed the same day as a motion on tackling gambling harm. He calls for a commitment to legislation…
Health Issue: Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 approval Original release: O’Toole: Executive parties saying one thing and doing another on gambling (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes passing of motion calling for gambling addiction services
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes a cross-party Assembly motion on a health-led approach to gambling harm and urges the health department to draw up a plan for gambling support services, integrated into mental health and suicide prevention strategies.
Health Issue: Assembly motion calling for health-led approach to gambling harm Original release: McGuigan welcomes passing of motion calling for gambling addiction services (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister levels the playing field in housing allocation
DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons' decision to scrap intimidation points in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Housing Selection Scheme, arguing victims of domestic abuse have been unfairly scored lower.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Communities Minister levels the playing field in housing allocation (opens in a new tab)
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Removal of Housing Executive Intimidation Points will put lives at risk
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the Communities Minister's decision to remove Housing Executive intimidation points will put lives at risk, arguing it leaves victims of threats and sectarian, racist or homophobic attacks without priority for permanent homes. He instead calls for…
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Removal of Housing Executive Intimidation Points will put lives at risk (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins welcomes pay deal for resident doctors
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes the pay deal reached between the health department and the British Medical Association for resident doctors, calling it recognition of their work and urging joint effort on wider health service pressures.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Resident doctors pay deal with BMA welcomed by Sinn Féin Original release: Kimmins welcomes pay deal for resident doctors (opens in a new tab)