Latest releases
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3,450 releases
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Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls on the Health Minister to urgently confirm a date for funding the new Birch Hill mental health complex in Antrim, after visiting Holywell Hospital and describing its deteriorating buildings as unfit for purpose.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Holywell Hospital visit and Birch Hill mental health funding delay Original release: Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation event postponement creates further anxiety to people of Fermanagh – Cullen
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Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says an eight-week minimum wait for diagnostic clinic investigation of a red flag breast cancer referral is extremely concerning and far exceeds the 14-day target. She has written to the Health Minister and calls on him to act now to reduce waits.
Health Issue: Red flag breast cancer referral waiting times at diagnostic clinics Original release: Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says serious public safety concerns remain over a bonfire site in south Belfast's Village area after more asbestos was reportedly found there. He calls for a factual assessment of the asbestos and questions why the PSNI decided not to intervene.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: ‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew condemns burning of Moygashel racist bonfire
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns the burning of a bonfire in Moygashel that included a racist effigy of refugees in a small boat and other racist displays. He welcomes police treating it as a hate incident and calls for those responsible to be held accountable.
Community relations and legacy Immigration Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: Gildernew condemns burning of Moygashel racist bonfire (opens in a new tab)
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Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls for political and community leaders, including unionists, to act to stop a planned hazardous bonfire in the Village in West Belfast, and urges the PSNI to take immediate action. He warns it threatens hospital power supplies and could release asbestos.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's Reset Plan lacks detail and needs direct action on waiting lists, staff pay and community services. He criticises proposed charges and budget cuts made without public consultation.
Health Issue: Health Minister's Reset Plan publication Original release: McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans
SDLP councillor Adam Gannon, Group Leader on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, calls for extra public meetings in the region during the consultation on removing emergency surgery from Enniskillen's hospital, noting the Enniskillen event filled within two days. He also asks Health Minister Mike…
Health Issue: Western Trust consultation on removing Emergency General Surgery at SWAH Original release: Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan describes a bonfire in south Belfast's Village area as extremely concerning, citing nearby asbestos and risks to power supply at City and Royal Victoria Hospitals. He calls for urgent action and says Sinn Féin would support removing bonfire materials if safeguards cannot…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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‘Vile’ racist effigies and posters must be removed – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew condemns an effigy of refugees in a boat placed atop a bonfire in Moygashel, alongside 'Stop the Boats' posters, and calls for it to be removed immediately and for local political leaders to call for removal.
Immigration Disability and equality Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: ‘Vile’ racist effigies and posters must be removed – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Roofe calls for the immediate removal of racist display on County Tyrone bonfire, describing it as despicable
Alliance Councillor Eddie Roofe calls for the immediate removal of a model refugee boat placed on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, which he says is racist and must not be excused as cultural celebration.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Moygashel bonfire refugee effigy and 'Stop the Boats' posters Original release: Roofe calls for the immediate removal of racist display on County Tyrone bonfire, describing it as despicable (opens in a new tab)
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Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile
Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile welcomes the dismissal of a complaint against her for speaking Irish at an Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council meeting. She calls on the council to adopt a proactive policy protecting Irish speakers' rights.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Complaint against Maighréad Ní Chonghaile for speaking Irish at Antrim and Newtownabbey council dismissed Original release: Churlish efforts to discourage use of Irish will not succeed – Ní Chonghaile (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark
Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn defends the LGBTQ+ window at Belfast City Hall as an iconic landmark, citing its imagery and references to rights campaigns. He accuses the TUV of hypocrisy over a slogan in the design and says the TUV backed the window unanimously.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: Cllr Anthony Flynn defends Belfast City Hall's LGBTQ window as a vital cultural and historical landmark (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window
TUV secretary and equality spokesperson Ann McClure says a formal complaint over Belfast City Council's City Hall "Pride" window has prompted an internal equality investigation, and calls for the offensive portion to be covered or removed, retrospective equality screening, consultation with faith…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall Pride window equality complaint and investigation Original release: TUV Action Prompts Investigation into Offensive City Hall Pride Window (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole questions why Environment Minister Andrew Muir has not intervened at a bonfire site near Meridi Street in south Belfast containing asbestos. He calls on Muir to direct the NIEA to remove the risk before the bonfire is lit this week.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: O’Toole urges Minister Muir to step up on asbestos bonfire (opens in a new tab)
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McAlpine condemns sinister graffiti in Millisle
Alliance Ards Peninsula representative Alderman Lorna McAlpine condemns racist graffiti daubed overnight on a residential property in Millisle, saying it does not reflect local people. She says the incident has been reported to police and urges anyone with information to contact them.
Disability and equality Issue: Millisle racist graffiti on residential property Original release: McAlpine condemns sinister graffiti in Millisle (opens in a new tab)
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GP dispute must be resolved to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to meet GP representatives urgently and work towards a swift resolution to the dispute, after GP partners voted in favour of collective action over funding. He says pressure on GPs is affecting patients' access to appointments.
Health Issue: GP partners vote for collective action over funding dispute Original release: GP dispute must be resolved to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis
Sinn Féin South Down MLA Sinéad Ennis says the party is resigning from the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over the foul odour from Refuse Derived Fuel storage and handling at Warrenpoint Port. She says concerns raised on the board were ignored and calls for a complete, permanent end to RDF…
Environment and climate Health Issue: Sinn Féin resignation from Warrenpoint Harbour Authority board over RDF odour Original release: ‘Time for decisive action to end foul odour at Warrenpoint Port’ – Ennis (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister urges Minister to get round the table with GPs to ensure delivery of services to public
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to hold urgent talks with GPs after their overwhelming vote for industrial action, which the BMA says followed the minister's imposed funding settlement and contract. She warns patient services are at risk.
Health Issue: GP partners vote for collective action over funding dispute Original release: McAllister urges Minister to get round the table with GPs to ensure delivery of services to public (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Belfast Trust needs systemic reform after its chair's departure, citing a Cardiac Unit workplace culture scandal and the delayed maternity hospital. He urges the Health Minister to appoint a new chair quickly.
Health Issue: Belfast Trust chair departure Original release: McGrath: Fundamental change needed at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)