Latest releases
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2,489 releases
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Robinson - we call a spade a spade
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP, in his New Year message, sets out 2025 priorities including the childcare subsidy scheme and broadband completion, and rejects new taxes to fix health pressures, calling instead for accountability and better management in the health service.
Constitutional affairs Health Original release: Robinson - we call a spade a spade (opens in a new tab)
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2025: A year to advance the Republican vision for Ireland’s future – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD says the party will push for a united Ireland in 2025, calling on the incoming government to publish a green paper on Irish Unity, appoint a Minister for Reunification and set up a Citizens' Assembly on Unity.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Original release: 2025: A year to advance the Republican vision for Ireland’s future – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds - winter pressures plan is woeful
DUP Stormont Health Committee member Diane Dodds says Christmas hospital waiting times reflect a woeful winter pressures plan, which she claims copies last year's failed plan. She cites A&E waits of over 13 hours at Craigavon and over 12 at Causeway, and calls for systemic reform.
Health Issue: Winter pressures plan and hospital A&E waiting times over Christmas Original release: Dodds - winter pressures plan is woeful (opens in a new tab)
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New Year Message from Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, now Health Minister, uses his New Year message to call for change in health and social care and for every Executive party to commit to never collapsing the institutions again.
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Answers needed over cervical screening concerns – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to act urgently over cervical screening, citing resignation letters from two senior medics and questioning the Belfast Trust's continued bid for the regional HPV testing contract while its accreditation was suspended. She calls for full…
Health Issue: Belfast Trust cervical screening accreditation and HPV contract concerns Original release: Answers needed over cervical screening concerns – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Cervical screening resignations show need for a statutory public inquiry, say Alliance representatives.
Alliance MLAs Michelle Guy and Nuala McAllister call for a full statutory inquiry into the Southern Trust cervical screening failings, urging the Health Minister to act without delay after two senior medics resigned over concerns about the service.
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening resignations of two senior medics Original release: Cervical screening resignations show need for a statutory public inquiry, say Alliance representatives. (opens in a new tab)
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Cautious Welcome to Draft Budget - Aiken
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes the draft 2025/26 budget going to public consultation but says it fails to tackle Health waiting lists after a £34m allocation was removed. He also says Education, Policing, Agriculture and infrastructure lack sufficient funding.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Executive agreement on draft budget 2025-26 Original release: Cautious Welcome to Draft Budget - Aiken (opens in a new tab)
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It’s time for action to tackle dangerous effects of alcohol, says Donnelly.
Alliance Health Spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls for action on alcohol after new figures showed alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland rose 65 per cent over the past decade. He says intervention is needed to reduce harm and save lives.
Health Issue: Publication of alcohol-specific deaths statistics for Northern Ireland Original release: It’s time for action to tackle dangerous effects of alcohol, says Donnelly. (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins welcomes pay deal for health workers
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes a newly reached pay settlement for health workers agreed between the health minister and trade unions. She says health and social care staff are the backbone of the service and deserve decent pay and safe conditions, and pledges continued pressure for fair deals…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health minister and trade unions pay agreement for health workers Original release: Kimmins welcomes pay deal for health workers (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle hails actions of local siblings to raise money for good cause
Traditional Unionist Voice vice‑chair Allister Kyle, a Causeway councillor, welcomes the effort of siblings Leo (11) and Evie (8) McKeowen, who have baked and sold treats to raise almost £800 for the Friends of Cancer Centre and calls on the public to support them before Christmas.
Other Health Issue: McKeowen siblings fundraising for Friends of Cancer Centre Original release: TUV Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle hails actions of local siblings to raise money for good cause (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood tables amendment to protect NI Health and Voluntary sectors from employer National Insurance hike.
Alliance Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood tables a unique amendment to shield NI health, hospice and voluntary services from the government’s proposed employer National Insurance rise, seeking exemptions for care homes, home‑care providers, GP and dental practices, pharmacists, charities and other社区
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Employer National Insurance increase announced in Autumn Budget Original release: Eastwood tables amendment to protect NI Health and Voluntary sectors from employer National Insurance hike. (opens in a new tab)
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Hope and change: Left republican cooperation is the way forward – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA writes in An Phoblacht that the 2024 Irish general election has realigned Dáil politics, ending the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael duopoly, and argues left republican and progressive parties should cooperate as an opposition.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: 2024 Irish general election result and realignment of Dáil politics Original release: Hope and change: Left republican cooperation is the way forward – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Time to pull public funding to body promoting illegal drug use and dangerous messages on consent
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says he is disappointed that neither the Justice nor Health Minister appears concerned about Rainbow Project website advice on illegal drug use and consent, and calls for public funding to the organisation to be withdrawn.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Rainbow Project website drug use and consent content Original release: Time to pull public funding to body promoting illegal drug use and dangerous messages on consent (opens in a new tab)
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‘Welcome news that 2300 new properties can be connected to wastewater infrastructure’ – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson welcomes news that NI Water will have capacity to connect 2,300 new properties to wastewater infrastructure, following Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd’s £19.5 million allocation, and says Sinn Féin will press the British government for fairer funding.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: NI Water capacity for 2,300 new property connections Original release: ‘Welcome news that 2300 new properties can be connected to wastewater infrastructure’ – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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Additional funding for NI Water won't address housing and environment issues, warns McMurray
Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andy McMurray MLA says a further £19.5m for NI Water from the October Monitoring round falls well short of its £266m capital shortfall. He calls for the Minister to explore alternative funding models, including mutualisation.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: NI Water capacity for 2,300 new property connections Original release: Additional funding for NI Water won't address housing and environment issues, warns McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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‘Positive news’ that new social homes to be built in west Belfast – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes Belfast City Council Planning Committee approval of a 62-unit social housing development on the Whiterock Road in west Belfast. She says it will house people on the waiting list and includes parking, greenery, a children's centre and open space.
Housing Local government Issue: Whiterock Road social housing development approved by Belfast City Council Original release: ‘Positive news’ that new social homes to be built in west Belfast – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan welcomes funding for waterways in border communities
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes a €32 million PEACEPLUS investment aimed at improving water in Lough Erne, Lough Melvin and Donegal Bay. She says it will also upgrade wastewater treatment for cross-border communities, benefiting up to 6,000 people.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: PEACEPLUS €32 million cross-border waterways investment Original release: Brogan welcomes funding for waterways in border communities (opens in a new tab)
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Rise in patient deaths while waiting for an ambulance ‘deeply worrying and totally unacceptable’ – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls increased patient deaths while waiting for an ambulance worrying and unacceptable, pointing to rising demand and handover delays caused by staff shortages and A&E pressures. She urges the Health Minister and department to take urgent action.
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Rising levels of child homelessness ‘deeply concerning’ – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson says rising child homelessness is deeply concerning after new figures showed over 5,300 children in temporary accommodation. She welcomes the new housing supply strategy and says she will bring legislation to curb unfair letting agent fees for private renters.
Housing Issue: New NI child homelessness figures showing over 5,300 children in temporary accommodation Original release: Rising levels of child homelessness ‘deeply concerning’ – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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Time for statutory public inquiry following cervical screening reports, says Guy, speaking alongside Ladies with Letters.
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy calls on the Health Minister to order a statutory public inquiry after reports on the Southern Trust cervical screening failings, saying serious questions remain unanswered and accountability is needed. She also backs the Ladies with Letters campaign group's call for an…
Health Issue: Southern Trust cervical screening review findings Original release: Time for statutory public inquiry following cervical screening reports, says Guy, speaking alongside Ladies with Letters. (opens in a new tab)