Latest releases
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4,114 releases
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British government must ensure 16 and 17 year olds can vote in 2027 elections – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker welcomes the British government's plan to extend the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds and calls for the legislation to be in place in time for the 2027 Assembly and Council elections in the north. The party says it will press London on this.
Constitutional affairs Issue: British government extension of voting age to 16 and 17-year-olds Original release: British government must ensure 16 and 17 year olds can vote in 2027 elections – Baker (opens in a new tab)
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Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler
UUP MLA Robbie Butler, young people's spokesperson, welcomes votes at 16 but says it must be accompanied by changes to the education curriculum adding political education on how the Northern Ireland and UK voting systems work. He hopes this will encourage wider youth turnout.
Constitutional affairs Education Original release: Votes at 16 welcome, but it must be accompanied by changes to education curriculum - Butler (opens in a new tab)
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Votes at 16 must be implemented in time for next NI Assembly election, says Mulholland, welcoming plans
Constitutional affairs Original release: Votes at 16 must be implemented in time for next NI Assembly election, says Mulholland, welcoming plans (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Western Trust must scrap SWAH consultation
SDLP councillor Adam Gannon, Group Leader on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, says the Western Trust must scrap its consultation on ending emergency general surgery at Enniskillen's South West Acute Hospital after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt asked it to pause. He links the intervention to…
Health Issue: Health Minister orders Western Trust to halt SWAH emergency surgery consultation Original release: Gannon: Western Trust must scrap SWAH consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna welcomes lowering of voting age
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes UK Government confirmation that voting at General Elections will be extended to 16 and 17-year-olds, and calls for the same rights to apply to Assembly and council elections.
Constitutional affairs Issue: UK Government confirmation of votes at 16 for General Elections Original release: Hanna welcomes lowering of voting age (opens in a new tab)
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Onus now on Western Trust to rebuild public confidence – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen says the Western Trust must rebuild public confidence after the Health Minister ordered it to halt the South West Acute Hospital consultation on ending emergency general surgery there. She says only two events were held, not the comprehensive process she called for, and…
Health Issue: Health Minister orders Western Trust to halt SWAH emergency surgery consultation Original release: Onus now on Western Trust to rebuild public confidence – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson tells Belfast Twelfth "When unionism is split, unionism…
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP tells the Belfast Twelfth field that unionism must unite and says a split vote cost Lagan Valley, calling for talks on strategy and electoral understanding ahead of the Assembly and Council elections. He also criticises the Windsor Framework.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Robinson tells Belfast Twelfth "When unionism is split, unionism… (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney calls on the Health Minister to urgently confirm a date for funding the new Birch Hill mental health complex in Antrim, after visiting Holywell Hospital and describing its deteriorating buildings as unfit for purpose.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Holywell Hospital visit and Birch Hill mental health funding delay Original release: Minister must urgently confirm funding for the Birch Hill Complex – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Consultation event postponement creates further anxiety to people of Fermanagh – Cullen
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Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon says an eight-week minimum wait for diagnostic clinic investigation of a red flag breast cancer referral is extremely concerning and far exceeds the 14-day target. She has written to the Health Minister and calls on him to act now to reduce waits.
Health Issue: Red flag breast cancer referral waiting times at diagnostic clinics Original release: Lengthy wait for red flag breast cancer referral ‘extremely concerning’ – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says serious public safety concerns remain over a bonfire site in south Belfast's Village area after more asbestos was reportedly found there. He calls for a factual assessment of the asbestos and questions why the PSNI decided not to intervene.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: ‘Serious public safety concerns remain and further questions need to be answered’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan calls for political and community leaders, including unionists, to act to stop a planned hazardous bonfire in the Village in West Belfast, and urges the PSNI to take immediate action. He warns it threatens hospital power supplies and could release asbestos.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Time for action to prevent hazardous bonfire endangering lives, property and public services – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's Reset Plan lacks detail and needs direct action on waiting lists, staff pay and community services. He criticises proposed charges and budget cuts made without public consultation.
Health Issue: Health Minister's Reset Plan publication Original release: McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan (opens in a new tab)
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Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans
SDLP councillor Adam Gannon, Group Leader on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, calls for extra public meetings in the region during the consultation on removing emergency surgery from Enniskillen's hospital, noting the Enniskillen event filled within two days. He also asks Health Minister Mike…
Health Issue: Western Trust consultation on removing Emergency General Surgery at SWAH Original release: Gannon: Minister must hear public’s voice on SWAH surgery plans (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan describes a bonfire in south Belfast's Village area as extremely concerning, citing nearby asbestos and risks to power supply at City and Royal Victoria Hospitals. He calls for urgent action and says Sinn Féin would support removing bonfire materials if safeguards cannot…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Asbestos at bonfire site near Meridi Street, south Belfast Original release: Urgent action needed to protect life, property and health services near bonfire – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED
Aontú, speaking at a public protest against Government-backed plans to redevelop the GPO for mixed use, says the building must not be destroyed. Speakers including TD Brian Stanley and Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín call for a united effort to stop the proposals.
Infrastructure and transport Constitutional affairs Issue: Government backing for GPO redevelopment plans Original release: NOT ON OUR WATCH –THE GPO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE DESTROYED (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says environmental crime is not being taken seriously enough after the PPS decided not to appeal sentences for two men convicted over illegal dumping at Mobuoy near Derry. He calls on the Environment Minister and Justice Minister to urgently review sentencing…
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: PPS decision not to appeal Mobuoy illegal dumping sentences Original release: Durkan: We need to get serious about environmental crime (opens in a new tab)
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Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA welcomes the European Commission's more flexible 2040 climate target and calls for a co-designed Rural Climate and Energy Roadmap for Northern Ireland, with cross-departmental leadership and support for anaerobic digestion.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: European Commission 2040 climate target of 90% emissions reduction Original release: Flexibility Isn’t Weakness, It’s Wisdom: Butler Backs Locally-Informed Climate Planning (opens in a new tab)
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Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA welcomes the First and deputy First Ministers' announcement to reconstitute the Civic Forum, but says it should have happened long ago. He questions whether it can be established by the end of this mandate and says Alliance will keep…
Constitutional affairs Issue: First and deputy First Ministers announce reconstitution of the Civic Forum Original release: Civic Forum can be a vital tool to engage society and shape policy, says Dickson (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year
Alliance Alderman Richard Stewart, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, welcomes Portstewart Strand being ranked the top beach in the UK and Northern Ireland in a Times and Sunday Times guide, praising its scenery, water quality and community spirit.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Portstewart Strand ranked UK top beach in Times and Sunday Times guide Original release: Stewart welcomes recognition of Portstewart Strand as UK Beach of the Year (opens in a new tab)