Latest releases
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3,438 releases
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McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the Justice Minister's move to bring forward a Legislative Consent Motion making drink spiking an offence in its own right, and calls for licensed venues to be required to supply testing kits.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Assembly approval of anti-spiking legislative consent motion Original release: McLaughlin welcomes new legislation on spiking but urges further action to protect women (opens in a new tab)
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A Dark Week for Our Nation: Parliament Embraces Death at the Beginning and End of Life
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, laments a "sad" week in which Westminster voted to decriminalise abortion at all stages and passed the Assisted Suicide Bill. He calls these decisions alarming and says he opposed both.
Health Issue: Westminster votes on abortion decriminalisation and Assisted Suicide Bill passage Original release: A Dark Week for Our Nation: Parliament Embraces Death at the Beginning and End of Life (opens in a new tab)
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BROLLY CRITICISES EASTWOOD ON ASSISTED SUICIDE VOTE
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly criticises SDLP MP Colum Eastwood for backing the assisted suicide bill at Westminster, questioning his stance on the issue. She calls instead for investment in palliative care and the health service for terminally ill people.
Health Issue: Westminster votes on abortion decriminalisation and Assisted Suicide Bill passage Original release: BROLLY CRITICISES EASTWOOD ON ASSISTED SUICIDE VOTE (opens in a new tab)
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BROLLY SLAMS ABORTION UP TO BIRTH VOTE IN WESTMINSTER
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly condemns a Westminster amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that she says would decriminalise abortion in England and Wales up to birth for any reason. She claims it removes legal safeguards, allows gender and disability selection, and criticises SDLP and…
Health Issue: Commons amendments to Crime and Policing Bill on abortion decriminalisation Original release: BROLLY SLAMS ABORTION UP TO BIRTH VOTE IN WESTMINSTER (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party leader responds to NI exec's climate action plan
Green Party Leader Mal O'Hara says the Executive's climate action plan is late and lacks ambition, particularly on agriculture and transport, and urges the Minister to act on ICCC recommendations and the All-Island Rail Review.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Green Party leader responds to NI exec's climate action plan (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan urges the public to respond to the consultation on the draft Climate Action Plan published by the environment department today. She says the party will assess the plan for a fair transition, all-Ireland climate challenges and the needs of rural communities.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation
TUV Equality spokesperson Ann McClure says Timothy Gaston's questions to Finance Minister John O'Dowd on Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride received vague answers, and calls on the Civil Service and Minister to directly address concerns about impartiality and objecting staff.
Disability and equality Issue: NICS participation in Belfast Pride 2025 and Stonewall links Original release: TUV: Civil Service Must Address Concerns of Staff Opposed to Pride Participation (opens in a new tab)
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Climate Action Plan proposals show Muir has learned nothing from NAP…
DUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA criticises DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's draft Climate Action Plan consultation, warning of a £1 billion cost to 2027 and of livestock reductions of 81,000 beef and 25,000 dairy cattle, and urges farmers to respond.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Climate Action Plan proposals show Muir has learned nothing from NAP… (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes launch of public consultation Baby Loss Certificate Scheme
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes the launch of a public consultation on a proposed Baby Loss Certificate Scheme for parents who suffer pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. She urges parents and the public to share their views and says she looks forward to the scheme being introduced later this year.
Health Issue: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme public consultation launch Original release: Dolan welcomes launch of public consultation Baby Loss Certificate Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Ratcliffe Slams Appalling Abortion Decision
TUV chairman Councillor Keith Ratcliffe condemns the Commons vote to decriminalise women who end their own pregnancies at any stage, calling the decision morally repugnant and claiming it was rushed through without serious debate.
Health Issue: Westminster vote on abortion amendment in Bill, June 2025 Original release: Ratcliffe Slams Appalling Abortion Decision (opens in a new tab)
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All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan calls for an all-island approach to tackle air pollution on Clean Air Day, arguing it harms health, worsens health inequalities and contributes to hundreds of deaths each year. She pledges support for the Executive and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and…
Environment and climate Health Original release: All-island approach needed to tackle air pollution – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Maternity Hospital scandal demands urgent action and accountability –…
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the revelations about the delayed Royal Maternity Hospital constitute a scandal and demand immediate ministerial action, an overhaul of capital health project oversight and clearer solutions to the cost‑overrun and timeline failures.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: Maternity Hospital scandal demands urgent action and accountability –… (opens in a new tab)
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Tóibín appeals to SDLP members after Westminster abortion vote
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín urges SDLP members to leave the party after its two Westminster MPs, Claire Hanna and Colum Eastwood, voted for a Commons amendment permitting abortion until birth. He says the vote breaks with the SDLP's founding principles and invites dissenters to join Aontú.
Health Issue: Westminster vote on abortion amendment in Bill, June 2025 Original release: Tóibín appeals to SDLP members after Westminster abortion vote (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Belfast Councillors bring blood donation motion to Council, highlighting importance of donating
Alliance Councillor Tara Brooks is giving blood at Belfast City Hall to encourage donations, and has tabled a council motion on blood donation inspired by her father's treatment for a rare blood cancer. She thanks the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service.
Health Local government Original release: Alliance Belfast Councillors bring blood donation motion to Council, highlighting importance of donating (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Maternity hospital delay totally unacceptable
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says a 28-month delay to opening the new Belfast maternity hospital is unacceptable and welcomes the Health Minister's plan to appoint an independent expert to scrutinise the Belfast Trust's options.
Health Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: McGrath: Maternity hospital delay totally unacceptable (opens in a new tab)
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Executive’s lack of ambition won’t tackle poverty
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan criticises the Communities Minister's handling of the Anti-Poverty Strategy, saying the final document lacks co-design with academics, charities and people with lived experience. He says the strategy falls far short and that the whole Executive must take responsibility if it…
Social security and welfare Issue: Anti-Poverty Strategy final document published without co-design Original release: Executive’s lack of ambition won’t tackle poverty (opens in a new tab)
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Further delay to maternity hospital ‘deeply disappointing’ – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says he is alarmed that the Health Minister has confirmed a further 28-month delay to the new Belfast maternity hospital, a project already years behind and costing almost £100 million. He urges the minister to act urgently to resolve the problems.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast new maternity hospital further 28-month delay Original release: Further delay to maternity hospital ‘deeply disappointing’ – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds calls for answers over fire safety issues at RVH
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says the Health Minister has confirmed fire safety concerns at the Royal Victoria Hospital, including beds blocking emergency exits, and questions why Belfast Trust leaders denied other concerns at committee. She asks when the Department was aware, what…
Health Issue: Royal Victoria Hospital fire safety concerns raised by NIFRS Original release: Dodds calls for answers over fire safety issues at RVH (opens in a new tab)
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Anti-Poverty Strategy ‘weak in ambition and substance’ – Gildernew
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew says the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy, published by the Communities Minister in the Assembly, lacks ambition and substance and omits key recommendations from frontline organisations. He calls on the minister to listen to families with lived experience of poverty.
Social security and welfare Issue: Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy publication in the Assembly Original release: Anti-Poverty Strategy ‘weak in ambition and substance’ – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence
Alliance education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA calls on the Department of Education to allocate extra resources to the Education Authority and schools to support children affected by recent racial violence across Northern Ireland. She says newcomer children have been absent from school and asks…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Racial violence impact on school children and newcomer absences Original release: Guy calls for additional support for school children impacted by racial violence (opens in a new tab)