Latest releases
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2,987 releases
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Communities Minister’s painfully slow progress on delivery frustrating, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA says the Communities Minister's slow progress on social strategies, including anti-poverty, disability and LGBTQI+ plans, is delaying their outcomes. She questions the 'phased approach' used and calls for urgency before the multi-year budget.
Disability and equality Original release: Communities Minister’s painfully slow progress on delivery frustrating, says Armstrong (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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Hunter Applauds Landmark Vote by Camogie Association
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes the Camogie Association special Congress vote, which overwhelmingly backed letting players choose between shorts and skorts in matches. She calls it a long-overdue win for camogie players and for women in sport.
Disability and equality Issue: Camogie Association special Congress vote on shorts or skorts Original release: Hunter Applauds Landmark Vote by Camogie Association (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)
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Dental care is an essential form of healthcare and shouldn’t be considered luxury, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to draft a fresh oral health plan and address the dentistry funding shortfall, arguing dental care is essential rather than a luxury and warning that the situation will deteriorate without action.
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Latest EU Rules threaten treatments for minor conditions
DUP North Down MLA Peter Martin expresses serious concern at EU proposals that could reclassify common anti-viral and anti-fungal treatments, such as those for dandruff, athlete's foot and cold sores, as prescription-only. He says this would add strain to GP services and calls for certainty on…
Health International affairs Issue: EU proposals to reclassify anti-viral and anti-fungal treatments as prescription-only Original release: Latest EU Rules threaten treatments for minor conditions (opens in a new tab)
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Greenisland Church of the Holy Name bouncing back after fire
TUV Carrickfergus councillor David Clarke welcomes the new opening of the Church Parish Community Shop on Station Road, Greenisland, after last year’s fire, urges residents to shop locally and looks forward to the church and hall reconstruction.
Other Issue: Reopening of Greenisland Church Parish Community Shop Original release: Greenisland Church of the Holy Name bouncing back after fire (opens in a new tab)
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TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston writes to the Equality Commission challenging it to produce evidence that Irish language signage is a neutral act, citing LucidTalk and Analogical Research polling on unionist reaction. He asks the Commission to reassess its position, consider a 'chill factor' effect on…
Disability and equality Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence (opens in a new tab)
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Delargy welcomes progress towards consultation on student nursing bursaries
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomes confirmation from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt that a public consultation on student nursing and midwifery bursaries will begin in the coming months. He says the review will assess whether current bursary provision suits students now.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Minister confirms consultation on student nursing bursaries Original release: Delargy welcomes progress towards consultation on student nursing bursaries (opens in a new tab)
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Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald marks the tenth anniversary of the Irish marriage equality referendum, calling it a vote for hope, equality and inclusion, and says transphobia and homophobia must be challenged.
Disability and equality Original release: Marriage Equality was a vote for hope, equality and inclusion – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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No place for racism or intimidation in our society – Donnelly
Sinn Féin councillor Pádraig Donnelly condemns those behind a suspected racially motivated attack on a home in east Belfast late on Tuesday night. He calls on political and community leaders to challenge such behaviour and urges anyone with information to contact police.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: East Belfast suspected racially motivated attack on home Original release: No place for racism or intimidation in our society – Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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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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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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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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Death of John Walker
TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister expresses sadness at the death of John Walker, describing him as a prominent Ballymena figure in business, and offers condolences to his family.
Other Original release: Death of John Walker (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)