Latest releases
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5,301 releases
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The NHS was built on the principle of universal access, free at the point of delivery
The Ulster Unionist Party rejects a suggestion that Northern Ireland replace its NHS-based GP model with a Republic-style medical card system, arguing health inequalities stem from wider socioeconomic factors. It backs Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's £12 million GP pay award and says it will never…
Health Issue: Suggestion to replace NHS GP model with all-island model Original release: The NHS was built on the principle of universal access, free at the point of delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister formally opens new MRI scanner unit at Causeway Hospital
UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt inaugurated a state‑of‑the‑art MRI scanner at Causeway Hospital, saying it will boost the Northern Health & Social Care Trust’s imaging capacity and cut patient waiting times by ending transfers to Antrim Area Hospital.
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital new MRI scanner installation Original release: Health Minister formally opens new MRI scanner unit at Causeway Hospital (opens in a new tab)
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Justice Minister’s comments on British migration changes show folly of signing up to EU Migration and Asylum Pact – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy TD says the Justice Minister's remarks that Britain's immigration changes may require Irish law updates show Ireland should not join the EU migration pact. He calls on Jim O'Callaghan to secure a bilateral deal with Britain to promptly return international protection…
Immigration International affairs Issue: Minister Jim O'Callaghan comments on British immigration law changes and Common Travel Area Original release: Justice Minister’s comments on British migration changes show folly of signing up to EU Migration and Asylum Pact – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly backs cost of living motion – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Assembly's backing of his party's cost of living motion, urging Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to strengthen proposals for tackling poverty amid families struggling to afford food and heating.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Assembly cost of living motion on poverty and Communities Minister's proposals Original release: Assembly backs cost of living motion – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Conditions laid out in the Good Friday Agreement for a referendum on Irish reunification have been met – Kathleen Funchion MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion says the conditions for an Irish reunification referendum set out in the Good Friday Agreement have been met, and calls on the British and Irish governments to agree a referendum date and work with civil society on a vision for a united Ireland.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Conditions laid out in the Good Friday Agreement for a referendum on Irish reunification have been met – Kathleen Funchion MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Focus should be on realistic solutions to health service challenges
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says Northern Ireland's health service needs practical investment and reform, and calls proposals for an all-Ireland healthcare system unnecessary and unrealistic. She says General Practice pressures should be tackled locally through workforce stability and…
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DUP welcomes Speaker’s ruling on DfE Israel decision
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson welcomes the Speaker's ruling that the DUP-backed call-in petition on the Economy Minister's Israel trade decision is valid and must go to the Executive. He says the matter should be placed before the Executive and says ministers must follow established government…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: DfE Israel trade decision call-in petition Speaker's ruling Original release: DUP welcomes Speaker’s ruling on DfE Israel decision (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty named as Right to Food Commissioner
SDLP councillor Paul Doherty says he has been named to the Right to Food Commission, which will gather evidence across Britain and the North on hunger and foodbanks. He says he will represent the North and push for policy shaped by people with lived experience of poverty.
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: Right to Food Commission launch at Westminster Original release: Doherty named as Right to Food Commissioner (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter criticises EA's handling of Sandelford School repairs
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter criticises the Education Authority over its handling of repairs at Sandelford School in Coleraine, where deteriorating classrooms and unsuitable mobile units have disrupted pupils with complex needs. She calls for faster repairs, clearer communication and a commitment that…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Sandelford School Coleraine classroom repairs and mobile unit closures Original release: Hunter criticises EA's handling of Sandelford School repairs (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Minister must live up to carers’ pay promise
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister must honour his pledge to pay social care workers the Real Living Wage, after they were left out of the latest pay uplift for health staff.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Real Living Wage funding for independent sector homecare workers Original release: McGrath: Minister must live up to carers’ pay promise (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Health staff on Universal Credit deserve fairness on ‘rightfully earned’ pay rise
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark Durkan MLA urges the Health, Communities and Finance Ministers to cooperate so health staff on Universal Credit can receive the backdated 2025/26 NHS pay award without losing benefit payments. He calls for a phased payment approach, warning single parents, mainly…
Social security and welfare Health Issue: Health Minister confirms backdated 2025 healthcare pay award Original release: Durkan: Health staff on Universal Credit deserve fairness on ‘rightfully earned’ pay rise (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter concerned at lack of Access NI checks in special needs schools
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA expresses concern that 353 special needs school support staff posts were filled without Access NI checks, according to an FOI response from Unite. She calls on the Education Minister to urgently set out plans to end temporary engagement forms…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Access NI checks for special needs school support staff Original release: Hunter concerned at lack of Access NI checks in special needs schools (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Sinn Féin gaslighting people on cost of living
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA accuses Sinn Féin of gaslighting the public with its Assembly cost of living motion. He says the party, as the biggest in the Executive, should take responsibility for failing to address rising living costs, citing the two-child welfare…
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Issue: Assembly cost of living motion on poverty and Communities Minister's proposals Original release: Durkan: Sinn Féin gaslighting people on cost of living (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must reset relations with GPs, says McAllister
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the BMA's backing of a no-confidence vote in the Health Minister is extremely concerning, urging the minister and GPs to resume talks and repair ties to protect access to primary care.
Health Issue: BMA endorsement of no-confidence vote in Health Minister Original release: Health Minister must reset relations with GPs, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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GP dispute must be resolved urgently – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to re-engage with GPs and reach a swift settlement, following a no-confidence motion passed at the Local Medical Committees conference in Belfast. He says patient access to appointments is suffering and that he will raise the matter directly…
Health Issue: GP no-confidence motion in Health Minister at Belfast LMC conference Original release: GP dispute must be resolved urgently – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew to meet groups working to tackle poverty as Sinn Féin brings cost of living motion to the Assembly
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says he will meet community groups and charities supporting families before his party's Assembly cost of living motion on Monday. The motion asks the Communities Minister for concrete plans to help hard-pressed households, and the party calls his draft poverty plan weak.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Assembly cost of living motion on poverty and Communities Minister's proposals Original release: Gildernew to meet groups working to tackle poverty as Sinn Féin brings cost of living motion to the Assembly (opens in a new tab)
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Time to work together to drive economic growth – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls the DUP's upcoming Assembly motion on the Windsor Framework a diversion and says the DUP is using it to offset pressure from the TUV. He urges the DUP to stop looking backwards and engage on post-Brexit trading.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: DUP Assembly motion on the Windsor Framework debate Original release: Time to work together to drive economic growth – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Minister must heed GPs vote to consider leaving NHS
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says Health Minister Mike Nesbitt must heed a NILMC Conference motion from GPs exploring alternatives to the NHS. He urges the minister to return to talks with GPs on a funding model and plan, and says he does not back the Conference's approach.
Health Issue: Local Medical Committees conference GP decisions on NHS and industrial action Original release: McGrath: Minister must heed GPs vote to consider leaving NHS (opens in a new tab)
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GP Conference Decision was Reckless and ill Judged
UUP spokesperson calls the weekend Local Medical Committees conference decisions reckless and ill-judged, criticising GP proposals to ramp up action, including on vaccination programmes, and a vote to explore moving outside the NHS. The party urges GP leaders to return to responsible engagement.
Health Issue: Local Medical Committees conference GP decisions on NHS and industrial action Original release: GP Conference Decision was Reckless and ill Judged (opens in a new tab)
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Unionist Protections Are Non-Negotiable Amid Reform Debate
UUP MLA John Stewart warns against diluting the Belfast Agreement's cross-community protections, arguing that an SDLP motion on reforming the institutions, including removing ministers, sets a dangerous precedent and that reform must not proceed without unionist input.
Constitutional affairs Issue: SDLP motion on reform of Stormont cross-community consent for removing ministers Original release: Unionist Protections Are Non-Negotiable Amid Reform Debate (opens in a new tab)