Latest releases
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5,345 releases
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Significant Reduction in Endoscopy Waiting Lists
UUP Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomes a 62% fall in endoscopy waiting lists to their lowest level since before COVID-19, citing regional endoscopy centres at Lagan Valley and Omagh hospitals and independent-sector insourcing. The release says recurrent funding is being sought to bring this…
Health Issue: Endoscopy waiting list reduction figures October 2025 Original release: Significant Reduction in Endoscopy Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)
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Passing of Stephen Cooper
TUV leader Jim Allister expresses shock at the sudden death of former TUV councillor Stephen Cooper, describing him as a man of ability who served in the armed forces and politics, and offers thoughts and prayers to his loved ones.
Other Original release: Passing of Stephen Cooper (opens in a new tab)
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Allister highlights TUV growth at largest ever annual party dinner
TUV leader Jim Allister says the party is expanding and attacks the DUP for backing the Donaldson/DUP deal that enforces the Stormont Protocol, warning of customs borders and urging unionists to support a No Executive stance in the 2027 election.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Donaldson/DUP deal implementing Stormont Protocol Original release: Allister highlights TUV growth at largest ever annual party dinner (opens in a new tab)
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Executive statement dodges COVID findings on Stormont disfunction
TUV chairman Allister Kyle says the Executive Office's written statement on the COVID Inquiry avoids its findings on Stormont dysfunction, including ministerial party politics, leaks and the Michelle O'Neill funeral attendance. He calls the response evasive and says Stormont is unreformable.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Executive statement dodges COVID findings on Stormont disfunction (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health – Kearney
Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney, South Antrim MLA, calls on the Health Minister to expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health and confirm a clear timeframe, citing unsustainable conditions at Holywell Hospital in Antrim.
Health Issue: Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health funding approval Original release: Minister must expedite approval of funding for the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Kathleen Funchion MEP to host major conference on gender-based violence
Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion says she will host a conference in Limerick tomorrow on gender-based violence, bringing together frontline practitioners, policymakers and survivors to share best practice and strengthen cross-sector cooperation on ending violence against women and girls.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: Kathleen Funchion MEP to host major conference on gender-based violence (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party
The DUP welcomes the publication of the latest UK Covid Inquiry report, expressing sympathy for those bereaved and saying its Ministers prioritised what they believed were Northern Ireland's best interests. It says the party cooperated fully with the Inquiry and commits to acting on lessons for…
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Statement from the Democratic Unionist Party (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Covid Inquiry findings highlight lack of political leadership
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the Covid-19 Inquiry findings show a lack of political leadership at Stormont and calls for a serious programme of institutional reform. He accuses Sinn Féin and the DUP of prioritising partisan interests over public safety during the pandemic.
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: O’Toole: Covid Inquiry findings highlight lack of political leadership (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister: Small steps can make a big difference this winter
The Department of Health, speaking through Health Minister Mike Nesbitt during National Self-Care Week, urges the public to manage their physical health and mental wellbeing this winter, check on older neighbours, and use community pharmacies via the Pharmacy First service for minor illnesses.
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First and deputy First Minister’s response to Covid-19 Inquiry inadequate, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says the Executive's response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is inadequate and calls for independent expert input. She criticises the planned inter-departmental committee and calls for collegiate decision-making led from the Executive Office…
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive response to UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 1 findings Original release: First and deputy First Minister’s response to Covid-19 Inquiry inadequate, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath expresses concern at rise in suicides
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA raises serious concern at rising suicide figures in Northern Ireland, citing NISRA three-year averages rising to 238.0 in 2024, and calls for an Executive-wide response addressing underlying issues.
Health Issue: NISRA suicide figures rise in Northern Ireland Original release: McGrath expresses concern at rise in suicides (opens in a new tab)
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New Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has published a new Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland, aiming to boost research, innovation and collaboration, increase clinical trial participation and improve patient outcomes. A Cancer Research Advisory Group will oversee delivery.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Cancer Research Strategic Framework publication Original release: New Cancer Research Strategic Framework for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party comments on Covid Inquiry Findings
UUP responds to the Covid Inquiry's second report on core decision-making and political governance, saying it will examine the findings to ensure lessons are learned. It says the inquiry confirmed Michelle O'Neill's attendance at a funeral during the Deputy First Minister period was a mistake that…
Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Ulster Unionist Party comments on Covid Inquiry Findings (opens in a new tab)
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Covid Inquiry underscores need for Stormont reform, says Tennyson
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA says the Covid Inquiry’s second report shows cross‑community votes were misused, creating dysfunctional decision‑making, and calls on the Secretary of State to begin Stormont power‑sharing reform with local parties and the Irish Government.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Covid Inquiry second report findings Original release: Covid Inquiry underscores need for Stormont reform, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn welcomes supreme court ruling on religious education in schools
Green Party councillor Flynn welcomes the Supreme Court judgment on compulsory religious worship in Northern Ireland schools, urging the Executive to act quickly to overhaul the education framework so pupils from all backgrounds, including non-religious families, feel respected.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Supreme Court ruling on mandatory Christian worship in NI schools Original release: Cllr Flynn welcomes supreme court ruling on religious education in schools (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 20 November 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer delays are costing lives - Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA urges immediate action from the Health Minister on cancer treatment delays, citing a 41-year-old woman's 112-day referral-to-treatment wait and questioning the diversion of around £70m of ring-fenced waiting list funding.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Minister's confirmation that £70m of ring-fenced waiting list funding was redirected Original release: Cancer delays are costing lives - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Allister challenges Stormont / China links
TUV leader Jim Allister, the North Antrim MP, says Stormont has entered a strategic co-operation arrangement with the Chinese state, which he argues is a reserved matter for Westminster. He calls for a full, urgent investigation into the Invest NI agreement, its authorisation and any…
International affairs Economy and employment Issue: Invest NI strategic co-operation agreement with Chinese state representatives Original release: Allister challenges Stormont / China links (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Ministers cannot evade accountability
SDLP MLA Justin McNulty says Ministers are trying to avoid accountability by deflecting written Assembly questions to 'operational matters' or arm's length bodies. He welcomes the Speaker's reminder of Ministers' responsibilities after a Point of Order raised the issue.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Speaker's reminder to Ministers on answering MLA written questions Original release: McNulty: Ministers cannot evade accountability (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Secretary of State cannot deny ‘appetite’ for change
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP disputes the Secretary of State’s claim that there is no public desire for a border poll, urging both governments to start planning for a New Ireland and stressing ongoing public conversation about the island’s future.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State says no appetite for border poll Original release: Hanna: Secretary of State cannot deny ‘appetite’ for change (opens in a new tab)
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Swann Challenges Troubles Bill and Tables Amendments
UUP MP Robin Swann, speaking as the Troubles Bill passed its Second Reading, asks where legacy sits within the Belfast Agreement's three strands and says the legislation gives veterans no specific protections. He announces amendments on victim definition, sexual crimes, the Director of…
Community relations and legacy Justice and policing Issue: Legacy Bill Second Reading in the Commons Original release: Swann Challenges Troubles Bill and Tables Amendments (opens in a new tab)