Latest releases
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2,851 releases
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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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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)
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Enough talk on Irish at Grand Central – what’s the DUP action?
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says the DUP has talked about the Infrastructure Minister's unilateral move to impose Irish signage at Grand Central but must act, urging it to sign his petition, have ministers call in the decision or take legal action.
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Enough talk on Irish at Grand Central – what’s the DUP action? (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Underwhelming Budget won’t fix our problems
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath says the Executive's final 2025/26 budget, signed off at Thursday's meeting, lacks the resources to tackle Northern Ireland's problems and calls for multi-year budgeting. He criticises the Executive for blaming the UK Government.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: McGrath: Underwhelming Budget won’t fix our problems (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan calls for improved autism services and greater inclusion of people with autism
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan calls for better autism services and wider inclusion of autistic people in daily life as World Autism Month begins. He credits Autism NI and Caleb's Cause for advocacy, and says cross-departmental action is needed, pledging work with the Health, Education and Economy…
Disability and equality Health Original release: Boylan calls for improved autism services and greater inclusion of people with autism (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Link between poverty and suicide crisis can’t be ignored
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan urges the Executive to recognise the link between poverty and rising suicide rates and calls for an effective anti-poverty strategy, following a Samaritans report on inequality and suicidality. He says suicide rates are three times higher in deprived areas and calls…
Health Social security and welfare Issue: Samaritans 'Lost Futures' report on poverty and suicide in Northern Ireland Original release: Durkan: Link between poverty and suicide crisis can’t be ignored (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly unites to reject British government cuts – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes cross-party Assembly support for a motion calling on the British government to reconsider its cuts to disability benefits, which followed the Chancellor's recent announcement of further welfare and public service cuts.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: UK Government disability benefit cuts and employability support plans Original release: Assembly unites to reject British government cuts – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Craigavon Hospital redevelopment must be prioritised - Dodds
Upper Bann DUP MLA Diane Dodds calls on the Health Minister to approve and fund the Southern Trust's programme business case for redeveloping Craigavon Area Hospital in the next financial year, citing an outdated estate and a £151 million Phase 1A bid.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment Assembly motion Original release: Craigavon Hospital redevelopment must be prioritised - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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People with terminal illnesses deserve early access to their state pension – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes cross-party support for a party motion calling on the British government to allow terminally ill people early access to their state pension, arguing it would provide financial security in their final months.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on early state pension access for terminally ill people Original release: People with terminal illnesses deserve early access to their state pension – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive must deliver Public Land Agency
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the Executive lacks a credible housing plan after an Assembly motion calling for a Public Land Agency passed, with the DUP opposed. He says the agency could identify public land for housebuilding.
Housing Issue: Assembly motion on establishing a Public Land Agency for housebuilding Original release: Durkan: Executive must deliver Public Land Agency (opens in a new tab)