Latest releases
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2,938 releases
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TUV welcome victory for women in Supreme Court judgement
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomes the UK Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of sex in equality law, and calls on Stormont to withdraw the Finance Department's Inclusive Language Guide, end Stonewall funding and revisit prison housing policy for men.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex definition in law Original release: TUV welcome victory for women in Supreme Court judgement (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland cannot be the outlier in Equality Legislation – Beattie
UUP Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MLA says the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex has major implications for Northern Ireland equality law. He asks the Justice Minister whether women prisoners could sue over transgender prisoner placements, and calls on the Equality Commission to advise…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: UK Supreme Court ruling on biological sex definition in law Original release: Northern Ireland cannot be the outlier in Equality Legislation – Beattie (opens in a new tab)
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ESRI research highlights importance of all-island public health system – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin's Rose Conway-Walsh TD welcomes an ESRI economic overview of Ireland and Northern Ireland, saying it shows an all-island approach to public health would improve care, and calls on the Irish government to resource Irish unity planning and establish a citizens' assembly.
Health Constitutional affairs Issue: ESRI 'Economic Overview of Ireland and Northern Ireland' report launch Original release: ESRI research highlights importance of all-island public health system – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
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More support needed for jurors after trials – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey calls for more support for jurors after trials, following a BBC interview in which a former juror described developing PTSD after a traumatic case. She urges the Justice and Health Ministers to work together on continuous support and asks the Justice Minister to review…
Justice and policing Health Issue: Juror PTSD claims after traumatic court case BBC interview Original release: More support needed for jurors after trials – Hargey (opens in a new tab)
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Need for intense and ongoing scrutiny of DUP ministers – Gildernew
Colm Gildernew MLA, Sinn Féin’s communities spokesperson, says DUP ministers must be subject to intense, ongoing scrutiny and urged to prioritise equality, inclusion and respect over personal projects. Sinn Féin will examine public‑fund allocations and robustly challenge any breaches.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Original release: Need for intense and ongoing scrutiny of DUP ministers – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes additional funding for Foras na Gaeilge
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the Irish Government’s €630,000 allocation to Foras na Gaeilge, saying it eases pressure and will boost language promotion, and urges a fair, sustainable funding model while condemning the DUP’s blockage of further Irish‑government support.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: €630,000 funding for Foras na Gaeilge Original release: Kearney welcomes additional funding for Foras na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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Fáilte roimh an maoiniú do pinsin, ach cur chuige nua ag teastáil don Fhoras – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Sinn Féin's Gaeilge, Gaeltachta and Ealaíon spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD welcomes the Dublin government's decision to cover Bord na Gaeilge's historic pension costs, which lets Foras na Gaeilge avoid threatened cuts, but calls for a new funding approach.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Foras na Gaeilge pension costs funding decision and threatened cuts Original release: Fáilte roimh an maoiniú do pinsin, ach cur chuige nua ag teastáil don Fhoras – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (opens in a new tab)
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First and deputy First Minister must speed up work on legislative backlog, says Bradshaw
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw urges the First and deputy First Minister to speed up clearing the legislative backlog after the Executive Office confirmed fewer than half of the 2024 Legislative Programme Bills have been introduced. She says the Department of Health has produced little…
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Executive Office confirmation on 2024 Legislative Programme Bills introduced Original release: First and deputy First Minister must speed up work on legislative backlog, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: No surprise at high deprivation levels
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty says Queen's University research showing 25% deprivation across the North is unsurprising, blaming underinvestment in public services, jobs and housing. He calls for the Executive to produce an anti-poverty strategy.
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Queen's University research on deprivation levels across the North Original release: Doherty: No surprise at high deprivation levels (opens in a new tab)
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Loss of core funding for Northlands has caused shock and worry – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson urges the Health Minister to consider support for the Northlands Addiction Treatment Centre in Derry after losing core Department of Health funding. A delegation including Padraig Delargy MLA will meet staff.
Health Issue: Northlands Addiction Treatment Centre loss of core funding Original release: Loss of core funding for Northlands has caused shock and worry – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes move to reinstate cross-border healthcare scheme
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's commitment to reinstate the cross-border healthcare scheme closed in 2022. He calls for any new scheme to remove upfront payment and for a fund giving access based on need, not ability to pay.
Health Issue: Health Minister commits to reinstating Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Original release: McGrath welcomes move to reinstate cross-border healthcare scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn welcomes intention to reinstate Cross-Border Healthcare Directive
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes the Health Minister's pledge to bring back the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive urgently, and says a forthcoming options paper will go to the Health Committee. She argues the scheme previously helped patients on long waiting lists access knee and hip…
Health Issue: Health Minister commits to reinstating Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Original release: Flynn welcomes intention to reinstate Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (opens in a new tab)
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Implementation plan and comprehensive strategy now needed for heart health and cardiac services – David Cullinane TD
Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane TD welcomes the new review of adult specialist cardiac services and says the next step must be an implementation plan plus a full heart‑health strategy covering prevention, community, hospital care and rehabilitation. He urges the HSE to resource 24/7 em
Health Issue: Publication of adult specialist cardiac services review Original release: Implementation plan and comprehensive strategy now needed for heart health and cardiac services – David Cullinane TD (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes passing of Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes the Assembly's passing of the Second Stage of the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill, which will now move to Committee Stage. She backs making pandemic-era electronic registration permanent and creating a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme.
Health Issue: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage passed Original release: Dolan welcomes passing of Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme should be free and open-ended
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan welcomes Assembly progress on the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill and calls for a baby loss certificate scheme that is costless to use and open to requests for losses at any date. He says the Finance Minister has indicated cost and eligibility will depend on…
Health Issue: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage passed Original release: Durkan: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme should be free and open-ended (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive parties gaslighting public on health funding
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says Executive parties are gaslighting the public over funding to clear health waiting lists, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the budget contained no £215m additional investment for them.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: McGrath: Executive parties gaslighting public on health funding (opens in a new tab)
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TUV hits out on Central Station controversy
TUV leader Jim Allister attacks Infrastructure Minister Kimmins over Irish signage at Grand Central Station, arguing she lacks authority over operational Translink decisions. He backs a legal challenge led by Mr Bryson and says the DUP has weakened its position by seeking an Irish Language…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: TUV hits out on Central Station controversy (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison expresses concern at staffing levels in EA SEN Transitions Service
Alliance Education spokesperson and Education Committee Chair Nick Mathison MLA expresses concern that the EA Transitions Service, which supports around 9,000 students with special educational needs across Northern Ireland, has only 10 staff.
Education Disability and equality Issue: EA SEN Transitions Service staffing levels revealed Original release: Mathison expresses concern at staffing levels in EA SEN Transitions Service (opens in a new tab)
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Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations
Alliance Killultagh Councillor Claire Kemp welcomes the installation of communication boards in Lisburn and Castlereagh Council parks, saying the facilities make play spaces accessible for children with speech, language and communication needs and praising the timing during World Autism Acceptance
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Communication boards installed in Lisburn & Castlereagh parks Original release: Every child deserves accessible park facilities, says Kemp, welcoming communication board installations (opens in a new tab)
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Budget underlines Executive’s commitment to health – McGuigan
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA welcomes the Executive's agreed budget, saying £215 million for 2025/26 will fund cutting waiting lists and investment in elective care. He says it shows the Executive's commitment to health.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: Budget underlines Executive’s commitment to health – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)