Latest releases
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4,979 releases
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Chambers welcomes demonstrable progress on tackling hospital waiting lists
UUP MLA and Health Committee member Alan Chambers welcomes falling hospital waiting lists, citing recent Department of Health figures showing reductions in the longest waits for colonoscopies, hip and knee replacements and tonsillectomies. He credits the Minister's focus on longest waiters and…
Health Issue: Department of Health hospital waiting list figures showing reductions in longest waits Original release: Chambers welcomes demonstrable progress on tackling hospital waiting lists (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party responds to Alliance Leaders' comments on Border Poll conditions
UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler MLA says Alliance's call for the Secretary of State to set out border poll conditions reveals a shifting constitutional position. He argues the Belfast Agreement already sets the framework, that defining electoral thresholds would entrench constitutional division…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Alliance call for Secretary of State to set border poll conditions Original release: Ulster Unionist Party responds to Alliance Leaders' comments on Border Poll conditions (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says the party remains committed to planting more trees, after DAERA Minister Andrew Muir announced a Tree Planting Action Plan at a Woodland Trust event launching a report on Northern Ireland's woods and trees.
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Planting Action Plan announcement at Woodland Trust State of Woods and Trees report launch Original release: Alliance remains committed to planting more trees, says Blair, following announcement of Tree Planting Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Gildernew welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to visit Dungannon respite facility
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew welcomes the Health Minister's commitment to visit Woodlawn House in Dungannon after an Assembly debate he tabled on respite care. He says families have reported planned respite cancelled at short notice and calls for timely, well-planned services.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Woodlawn House Dungannon respite facility Assembly debate Original release: Gildernew welcomes Health Minister’s commitment to visit Dungannon respite facility (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan expresses concern after an Asian hornet nest was found, the first confirmed sighting of the species in the north. She welcomes the Environment Agency's response and urges the public to report suspected sightings or nests.
Environment and climate Issue: Asian hornet nest discovery in Northern Ireland Original release: Finnegan raises concern over discovery of Asian hornet nest (opens in a new tab)
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Senator Conor Murphy leads Sinn Féin delegation at British Irish Parliamentary Assembly
Sinn Féin Leader in the Seanad Senator Conor Murphy, leading a six-strong delegation at the 67th BIPA plenary in Surrey, says constitutional change is firmly on the agenda and calls for discussion of a date for Irish Unity referendums at future meetings.
Constitutional affairs Original release: Senator Conor Murphy leads Sinn Féin delegation at British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Absence of Executive Investment Strategy makes NI look "tinpot"
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive's failure to publish an Investment Strategy makes Northern Ireland look unattractive to investors. He calls for immediate publication of a credible strategy with timelines, delivery milestones and accountability.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: O'Toole: Absence of Executive Investment Strategy makes NI look "tinpot" (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Sinn Féin "missing in action" on infrastructure delivery
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says Sinn Féin's abstention on an SDLP motion calling for an Executive Investment Strategy, with timelines and delivery milestones, shows a lack of leadership on the economy. He criticises the DUP and Sinn Féin over stalled projects including the…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: SDLP motion calling for Executive Investment Strategy publication Original release: O'Toole: Sinn Féin "missing in action" on infrastructure delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan demands action from Executive to protect mental health services
SDLP MLA and Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says the closure of the Extern crisis service in Foyle, which supported people in mental health distress out of hours, reflects Executive failings. He calls for cross-departmental legislation and a new budgeting approach ahead of the…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Closure of Extern crisis intervention service in Foyle Original release: Durkan demands action from Executive to protect mental health services (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister KC MP, Leader of the TUV, responds to EU demands for tighter enforcement of the Irish Sea Border
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP condemns EU calls for stricter Irish Sea Border enforcement, arguing the UK should instead trigger Article 16 and reject a UK-wide SPS Agreement that would disenfranchise Great Britain too.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: EU demand for stricter Irish Sea Border enforcement before SPS talks Original release: Jim Allister KC MP, Leader of the TUV, responds to EU demands for tighter enforcement of the Irish Sea Border (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP Speech SDLP Conference 2025
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the party is launching a new phase to recruit members and candidates, pledges to champion fairness, anti‑sectarianism and a New Ireland, and criticises the Executive for failing on housing, services and environmental issues.
Constitutional affairs Community relations and legacy Original release: SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP Speech SDLP Conference 2025 (opens in a new tab)
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World Mental Health Day brings to light the dire need for better mental health services across the North – Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn calls on the Health Minister to clarify plans for tackling the mental health crisis, saying progress on the 2021 Mental Health Strategy is falling far short. She urges a regional mental health crisis centre and cites her Suicide Prevention Bill requiring training for…
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McGrath: Executive must get serious about mental health
SDLP's McGrath says the Executive needs to take mental health far more seriously, though the release gives no specific policy, figure or decision behind the call.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: McGrath: Executive must get serious about mental health (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister leaving parents in limbo following withdrawal of nursing support for special educational needs children, says Mathison
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA says the Health Minister has left parents and special school staff in limbo after a review into nursing provision in special schools gave no clarity. He urges urgent answers and calls for full nursing provision to be reinstated.
Health Education Issue: Health Minister's review on nursing provision in special schools Original release: Health Minister leaving parents in limbo following withdrawal of nursing support for special educational needs children, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes ‘further evidence of positive change’ in our planning system
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes new Department for Infrastructure figures showing major planning applications had their quickest annual processing time since planning powers came to Stormont, with 77% of consulted applications answered on time.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Department for Infrastructure planning processing times statistics release Original release: Boylan welcomes ‘further evidence of positive change’ in our planning system (opens in a new tab)
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Budget is a missed opportunity to advance constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin's Senator Conor Murphy says Budget 2026 is a missed opportunity for constitutional change and urges the Irish government to set up a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity, backed by funding, with economic planning for reunification.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Budget 2026 constitutional change and Irish unity planning Original release: Budget is a missed opportunity to advance constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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TUV responds to UUP attack
TUV councillor Anna Henry accuses UUP leader Mike Nesbitt of abandoning unionist promises after he called TUV demands undeliverable, citing the 2021 United Unionist Declaration and claiming TUV now polls ahead of the UUP.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Mike Nesbitt comments on TUV demands in Belfast Telegraph Original release: TUV responds to UUP attack (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges Infrastructure Minister on active travel failure
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA challenges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins over missed active travel targets, writing to ask how she will respond to a Northern Ireland Audit Office report finding no significant rise in active travel rates.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office active travel report Original release: SDLP challenges Infrastructure Minister on active travel failure (opens in a new tab)
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Wildfires framework a milestone for the Mournes, says McMurray
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's newly launched framework on wildfires, which follows this year's fires in the Mournes and Sperrins. He backs its focus on prevention, enforcement and peatland restoration, while saying more work remains.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA wildfire strategic framework launch Original release: Wildfires framework a milestone for the Mournes, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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Baby Loss Certificate will provide compassion and recognition for families – Dolan
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan says she will host a ribbon display at Stormont on 9 October to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, and calls for the Baby Loss Certificate Scheme legislation, brought forward by Finance Minister John O'Dowd, to be progressed with other parties.