Latest releases
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3,094 releases
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OEP evidence indicates pressing need to reduce our impact on natural environment, says Blair
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Office for Environmental Protection evidence to the agriculture committee shows wastewater infrastructure and the agri-food sector are placing unsustainable pressure on the environment. He calls for cross-sector collaboration, including on the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: OEP evidence to Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on environmental pressures Original release: OEP evidence indicates pressing need to reduce our impact on natural environment, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to step in and assume greater authority over the Belfast Trust after alarming reports from the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Cardiac Unit, calling for direct ministerial control to address systemic failures.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must intervene at Belfast Trust (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds welcomes promise to publish damning report into RVH cardiac unit
DUP MLA Diane Dodds welcomes the Health Minister's agreement to publish an external review of the Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit, which found bullying, poor behaviour and a significant risk to public safety. She calls for demonstrable action to restore trust in the Trust.
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital cardiac unit external review publication Original release: Dodds welcomes promise to publish damning report into RVH cardiac unit (opens in a new tab)
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Follow up action needed by Health Minister to avoid continued crisis in dental sector, says Donnelly
Alliance health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA welcomes the Health Minister's funding for general dental services, including support for dentists treating NHS patients and a fee increase, but says further action is needed to prevent the sector's crisis from deepening.
Health Issue: Health Minister's general dental services funding announcement following Alliance Assembly motion Original release: Follow up action needed by Health Minister to avoid continued crisis in dental sector, says Donnelly (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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Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA calls on DAERA to match nutrients action programme regulation with increased financial support and a realistic lead-in time for farmers. He cites Irish Government low-emission slurry spreading and advisory supports as a model.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Patsy McGlone: Incentives and clarity for farmers needed amid nutrients action programme changes (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan expresses deep sadness following A5 tragedy
SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan expresses sorrow after a fatal crash on the A5 near Omagh that left one person dead and another seriously hurt. He sends prayers to the bereaved family and thanks emergency responders for their quick response at the scene.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Fatal A5 crash near Omagh, May 2025 Original release: McCrossan expresses deep sadness following A5 tragedy (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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Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer says the Nutrient Action Programme proposals – cutting the P balance to 8 kg/ha from 2029 and mandating Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment by 2030 – are unworkable, could force farmers out of business and ignore local conditions, and urges the Minister to listen and
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: Nutrient Action Programme proposals unworkable – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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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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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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Boylan urges public to have their say on use of mobile phones while driving consultation
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan urges the public to respond to a Department for Infrastructure consultation, launched by Minister Liz Kimmins, on strengthening laws against mobile phone use while driving. He welcomes the proposals to let police act on taking photos, recording videos or scrolling at…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Mobile phone while driving legislation consultation launched by Infrastructure Minister Original release: Boylan urges public to have their say on use of mobile phones while driving consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister marks construction work on new £38m school for…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan marks the start of construction on a £38 million new school building for Strangford Integrated College in Carrowdore, funded by the Department of Education under the Fresh Start capital programme.
Education Infrastructure and transport Issue: Strangford Integrated College new school building construction start Original release: Education Minister marks construction work on new £38m school for… (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Réada Cronin TD urges the government to take an island-wide approach to biodiversity loss during Dáil statements, citing poor habitat and bird species figures and calling for stronger Marine Protected Areas legislation.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Dáil statements on biodiversity Original release: All-island approach needed to address biodiversity crisis – Réada Cronin TD (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes launch of new road safety campaign
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement of a new advertising campaign warning drivers about danger around buses, urging road users to respect buses stopping on rural and urban roads. He says he will work with the minister on more 20mph zones at…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister's new bus safety advertising campaign launch Original release: Boylan welcomes launch of new road safety campaign (opens in a new tab)
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Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster
TUV MP Jim Allister welcomes Wrightbus's hydrogen bus display at Parliament as North Antrim MP, calls for government to prioritise UK manufacturing in zero emission bus rollout and support diesel bus conversions, and hopes Wrightbus expands into hydrogen coaches at Galgorm.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Wrightbus hydrogen bus display at Parliament Original release: Allister welcomes Wrightbus to Westminster (opens in a new tab)
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New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains
TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says proposed Nutrients Action Programme measures for 2026–2029 would harm small and medium farms, citing slurry spreading limits, a 3-metre buffer strip and low emission equipment rules. He calls on the Department to redraft the programme and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: New Nutrients Action Programme Proposals Will Devastate Family Farms Without Delivering Real Environmental Gains (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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Priority for Sinn Féin to deliver better connectivity in west Belfast – Reilly
West Belfast MLA Aisling Reilly says Sinn Féin secured an Assembly debate on mobile signal black spots in west Belfast, following a survey by MP Paul Maskey that drew over 2,600 responses. She calls for improved coverage and says the party is pressing phone companies in London for better…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: West Belfast mobile signal black spots Assembly debate Original release: Priority for Sinn Féin to deliver better connectivity in west Belfast – Reilly (opens in a new tab)