Latest releases
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3,622 releases
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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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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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Tariffs will confirm NI as colony of EU
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says that if US tariffs prompt EU counter-tariffs, Northern Ireland's subordinate position will be plain, because EU customs rules would apply tariffs to American goods entering the region. He calls on unionists who implement the Protocol to recognise what is happening.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: US tariffs and EU counter-tariffs on Northern Ireland goods Original release: Tariffs will confirm NI as colony of EU (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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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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Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment must be progressed - Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds has tabled an Assembly motion highlighting the need to redevelop Craigavon Area Hospital, saying its main building has had no major capital investment in over fifty years. She urges Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to back and finance the trust's programme business case.
Health Issue: Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment Assembly motion Original release: Craigavon Area Hospital redevelopment must be progressed - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Time for Irish government to begin preparations for a new Ireland – Cullen
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls on the Irish government to begin preparing for Irish unity and a border poll, urging a Citizens' Assembly, a green paper and a Minister for Reunification. He also criticises the Labour government's spending cuts.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Time for Irish government to begin preparations for a new Ireland – Cullen (opens in a new tab)
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Independent report lays bare the damage of stop-start government in Northern Ireland, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA says a UCL report on Assembly collapses shows stop-start government is damaging public services and blocking reform. She calls for removing Executive veto powers and for institutional reform talks before the next Assembly election.
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: UCL report on Stormont power-sharing reform and Assembly collapses Original release: Independent report lays bare the damage of stop-start government in Northern Ireland, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Mathison calls for investment in a dedicated care pathway for Facial Palsy patients
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison urges the Health Minister to set up a dedicated facial palsy care pathway, saying Northern Ireland lacks a multi-disciplinary team and patients face long waits and costly travel. He says the Department's pathway work has been slow and the promised 2019 interim service is…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Facial palsy care pathway call at Stormont event hosted by Facial Palsy UK Original release: Mathison calls for investment in a dedicated care pathway for Facial Palsy patients (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin MEPs announce panel for Irish Unity conference in European Parliament
Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion announce a high‑level panel for the European Parliament conference “The EU and Irish Unity: What Next?” on 8 April, naming Prof Colin Harvey, ESTU’s Esther Lynch and UN expert George Katrougalos as speakers.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: European Parliament Irish Unity conference panel Original release: Sinn Féin MEPs announce panel for Irish Unity conference in European Parliament (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston writes to Unionist members of the Executive calling for action to prevent Sinn Fein solo run on Irish signage
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says he has written to unionist Executive Ministers asking them to stop the Infrastructure Minister imposing Irish language signage at Belfast Grand Central Station, arguing the decision is significant and controversial and lacks cross-community approval under…
Disability and equality Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: Gaston writes to Unionist members of the Executive calling for action to prevent Sinn Fein solo run on Irish signage (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP secures representation in Socialists and Democrats group at EU Parliament
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP announces the party has secured an open invitation to attend meetings of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group at the European Parliament, following engagement after its 'Our European Future' document. She says it will help restore Northern Ireland's voice in Europe…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: SDLP invitation to attend Socialists and Democrats group meetings at European Parliament Original release: SDLP secures representation in Socialists and Democrats group at EU Parliament (opens in a new tab)
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Regulation of non-surgical cosmetic treatments needed to safeguard clients and professionals – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the Health Minister to introduce regulation of non-surgical cosmetic treatments, including an age limit for procedures like botox and dermal fillers, training standards, and an oversight body such as RQIA.
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Urgency needed to protect UK internal market: Campbell
East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell calls for urgent Government action to resolve the barriers affecting the movement of plants and seeds between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, saying the Northern Ireland Protocol harms horticulture businesses, raises costs and bans 30 native species.
Economy and employment Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Horticulture trade barriers under Northern Ireland Protocol Original release: Urgency needed to protect UK internal market: Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Panel for ‘One Island – One Environment’ discussion announced
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan announces the independent chairperson and panel for the 'One Island, One Environment' discussion in Ballymun on 4 April, co-hosted with the Commission on the Future of Ireland. She says the event will explore how a United Ireland could strengthen environmental protection…
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: One Island, One Environment discussion panel announcement Original release: Independent Panel for ‘One Island – One Environment’ discussion announced (opens in a new tab)
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A milestone for compassion - Forsythe
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe welcomes the Finance Minister's move to bring in baby loss certificates in Northern Ireland, saying they formally recognise grief for babies lost before 24 weeks. She also welcomes progress on electronic registration of deaths and stillbirths.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland baby loss certificates introduction announcement Original release: A milestone for compassion - Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Tackling cost of division could deliver millions for public services, says Tennyson
Alliance Finance spokesperson and Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson says tackling the cost of division, estimated at over £833 million a year, could fund health, housing and other public services. Alliance's motion in the Assembly on Tuesday calls for an updated assessment and a commitment from all…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Assembly motion on the cost of division action plan Original release: Tackling cost of division could deliver millions for public services, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Minister Lyons celebrates sport with local primary schools
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons says the Celebration of Sport days, launched at the Amphitheatre Wellness Centre for around 700 Carrickfergus and Larne pupils, encourage young people to try a range of sports, including disabled sports. A second session for Bangor and Ards pupils takes place at…
Health Issue: Celebration of Sport primary school days Carrickfergus and Newtownards Original release: Minister Lyons celebrates sport with local primary schools (opens in a new tab)
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NHS should always protect life – Lockhart
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart says the proposal to alter NHS foundation legislation within the draft assisted‑dying bill represents a risky change in healthcare and must be rejected, urging protection of life and warning of pressure on clinicians.
Health Issue: Proposed amendment to NHS foundation legislation for assisted dying Original release: NHS should always protect life – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)