Latest releases
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2,851 releases
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Home childcare services must be supported in upcoming childcare strategy – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the Education Minister must include Approved Home Childcare services in the forthcoming childcare strategy and deliver a comprehensive, affordable plan that supports families and providers of children with physical or additional needs.
Education Disability and equality Issue: NICMA report on childcare for children with additional needs Original release: Home childcare services must be supported in upcoming childcare strategy – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Groogan condemns posters in Belvoir
Green Party Botanic councillor Aine Groogan condemns overnight posters in the Belvoir area that she says make concerning statements about housing and stir up tensions. She blames Stormont and the executive parties for the housing shortage and says she is liaising with police and the council to…
Housing Issue: South Belfast Belvoir estate posters calling for local homes Original release: Cllr Groogan condemns posters in Belvoir (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood: Department of Health must deliver Northlands funding
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood calls on the Department of Health to submit the business case needed to release £1million for addiction treatment in Derry, including the Northlands Centre, after the NIO said it is still waiting for it. He says he has written to the joint heads of government about the delay.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Northlands Centre £1million addiction funding business case delay Original release: Eastwood: Department of Health must deliver Northlands funding (opens in a new tab)
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DUP leads Assembly debate on illegal immigration
DUP MLAs led an Assembly debate on illegal immigration, with Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley proposing it. DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says asylum accommodation costs have reached £400 million and calls on the Infrastructure Minister to revisit the Strategic Planning Policy Statement on HMO…
Immigration Housing Issue: Assembly debate on illegal immigration impact in Northern Ireland Original release: DUP leads Assembly debate on illegal immigration (opens in a new tab)
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Firearm Incident on Bangor High Street
TUV's North Down chairman Peter Wilson welcomes the safe resolution of a firearm incident on Bangor High Street without injury, praising PSNI and emergency services. He calls for renewed focus on early intervention and better mental health services, especially for veterans.
Health Justice and policing Issue: Firearm incident on Bangor High Street Original release: Firearm Incident on Bangor High Street (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister calls on Health Minister to re-engage in negotiations and restore relations with GPs
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Health Minister's decision to implement a GP funding contract despite a near-unanimous BMA GP Committee rejection shows disregard, and urges him to return to talks and repair ties with general practitioners.
Health Issue: BMA GP Committee rejection of 25/26 GMS contract offer Original release: McAllister calls on Health Minister to re-engage in negotiations and restore relations with GPs (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must work with GPs
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's approach to GP contract talks will deepen the primary care crisis. He accuses the Minister of imposing a contract GPs have rejected and calls for the indemnity data behind his claims to be published.
Health Issue: BMA GP Committee rejection of 25/26 GMS contract offer Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must work with GPs (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte condemns racist graffiti
SDLP North Belfast councillor Carl Whyte condemns racist 'Muslims out' graffiti, featuring a firearm's cross hairs, in North Belfast, saying it has been removed after he reported it to the council and urging anyone with information to contact police.
Disability and equality Issue: North Belfast 'Muslims out' racist graffiti removal Original release: Whyte condemns racist graffiti (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government
TUV chairman Councillor Keith Ratcliffe says he has asked Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to seek assurances on single-sex toilet use at the August Lurgan Pride event in Lurgan Park. He also calls for the council's staff guidance on transgender access to be brought into line with the…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Supreme Court ruling on legal definition of a woman council facilities Original release: TUV Chair Warns of Trans Lobby Influence in Local Government (opens in a new tab)
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Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death
TUV leader Jim Allister MP criticises the Assisted Dying Bill as a danger to vulnerable people, arguing it lacks safeguards, including on mental capacity and minors, and urges MPs to reject it.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assisted Dying Bill Committee Stage amendments and vote Original release: Allister: Assisted Dying Bill is a Dangerous Charter for Death (opens in a new tab)
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Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey describes a racially motivated assault on a man near the City Hospital in south Belfast, reportedly carried out by up to 15 teenagers who stole his bike. She appeals for anyone with information to contact the PSNI and says those involved must be brought to justice.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: South Belfast racially motivated assault near City Hospital bike theft Original release: Hargey appeals for information following ‘despicable’ racist attack (opens in a new tab)
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McDowell comments on vandalism
TUV Court Councillor Ron McDowell condemns graffiti on an unoccupied property but says condemnation is not enough. He calls for a review of housing policy, arguing local people in the area are being overlooked while foreign nationals are allocated homes there.
Housing Local government Issue: Graffiti on unoccupied property and local housing allocation concerns Original release: McDowell comments on vandalism (opens in a new tab)
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We must continue working together to break down segregation – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls for society to deliver on young people's aspirations to tackle sectarian segregation, responding to a new Pivotal report on greater integration in the north. She urges more inter-community interaction for young people, better transport links and needs-based housing.
Community relations and legacy Housing Issue: Pivotal report on integration and segregation in the north Original release: We must continue working together to break down segregation – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason says the Department of Education must do more to enhance Irish medium early years education, calling for investment in facilities, training and retention of early years educators. Her remarks follow an Education Committee meeting.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Irish medium early years education must be supported – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister urges Health Minister to ensure sustainable GP funding as a priority, following rejection of funding contract offer
Alliance health spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister urges the Health Minister to prioritise reopening talks on sustainable GP funding after 99.6% of BMA GP Committee ballot respondents rejected the 25/26 GMS contract offer. She says the proposed terms would cause a net loss of…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: BMA GP Committee rejection of 25/26 GMS contract offer Original release: McAllister urges Health Minister to ensure sustainable GP funding as a priority, following rejection of funding contract offer (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew invites public views on his proposed bill to extend Housing Executive support for people at risk of homelessness from 28 days to at least 60 days. He says the consultation will help ensure the legislation meets people's needs.
Housing Social security and welfare Issue: Gildernew homelessness prevention bill public consultation Original release: Gildernew launches consultation on homelessness prevention legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Current cancer waiting times ‘simply not acceptable’ – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says current cancer waiting times are simply not acceptable, following an Assembly motion on the issue. He welcomes the extra £10 million for Rapid Diagnosis Centres and calls for clear targets, timelines and transparency in the upcoming plans.
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Máire Devine TD to welcome nursing representatives to Leinster House in celebration of International Nurses’ Day
Sinn Féin TD Máire Devine will host nursing representatives at Leinster House on 14 May 2025 to mark International Nurses' Day, citing about 120,000 nurses and midwives and calling for retention measures including pay, conditions and affordable housing.
Health Economy and employment Original release: Máire Devine TD to welcome nursing representatives to Leinster House in celebration of International Nurses’ Day (opens in a new tab)
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Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA
UUP MLA Doug Beattie criticises Alliance, Sinn Féin and the SDLP for voting down his party's amendment to an Assembly motion on discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community, which also sought to protect women's rights. He calls the rejection disappointing and says the amendment struck a fair…
Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion amendment on LGBTQI+ discrimination and women's rights rejected Original release: Rejection of balanced amendment undermines opportunity to protect rights – Beattie MC MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion
Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Maeve Donnelly welcomes the council's passing of her motion backing Caleb's Cause and Alma White, which calls for better post-19 SEN provision. It urges the Economy, Health and Education Ministers to consider legislation for post-19 Education Health and Care plans.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Larne Borough Council motion on post-19 SEN provision and Caleb's Cause Original release: Every young person deserves same opportunity to thrive, says Donnelly, welcoming passing of Caleb's Causing motion (opens in a new tab)