Latest releases
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2,486 releases
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O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the DUP is using renewed Drumcree controversy to divert attention from the Executive's failure to pass a Budget, as public services face uncertainty. He calls on the DUP and Executive ministers to agree a Budget and address health, waiting…
Public finance and taxation Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parading dispute and Executive Budget impasse Original release: O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure (opens in a new tab)
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Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises?
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says a Health Minister's review of an earlier review fails to meet UUP leader Jon Burrows' promises on change and transparency. She questions the document's authorship and asks how far Department of Health officials shaped it.
Health Issue: Health Minister's review of a previous review Original release: Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises? (opens in a new tab)
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Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall!
Aontú opposes Belfast City Council's decision to light up Belfast City Hall for International Safe Abortion Day, calling it shocking use of the building. It says Sinn Féin and the SDLP councillors who backed the lighting have abandoned pro-life principles and calls for support for mothers instead.
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall lighting for International Safe Abortion Day Original release: Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall! (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin backs trade union strike action as a way to press the Stormont establishment for higher pay, public service funding and cost of living support. He accuses MLAs of backing a 27% pay rise for themselves and calls for all-out action demanding a change of…
Economy and employment Education Original release: Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment (opens in a new tab)
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NI Water's infrastructure is at capacity and holding Northern Ireland back
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA says NI Water's real crisis is wastewater capacity, not governance, blocking housing developments. He urges DfI to bring forward a funding plan now, alongside Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's forensic governance audit rather than after it.
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins forensic governance audit of NI Water Original release: NI Water's infrastructure is at capacity and holding Northern Ireland back (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: Minister refusing to face reality on climate targets
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA responds to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's Croke Park climate speech, calling for Northern Ireland's climate targets to be reviewed and revised, citing Climate Change Committee advice on an 82% reduction and Scotland's move to…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Environment Ireland Conference climate action speech Original release: Armstrong: Minister refusing to face reality on climate targets (opens in a new tab)
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Hospital reform must deliver better outcomes for patients – McGuigan
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA urges the Health Minister to ensure openness and public involvement in hospital service decisions, backing a proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee if it is truly independent and hears clinicians, patients and communities. He says he will…
Health Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: Hospital reform must deliver better outcomes for patients – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA urges Health Minister Robbie Butler to act on his pledges for rural services and avoid centralisation in hospital reform, citing Daisy Hill, Downe, SWAH and Causeway as cases where communities must be protected first.
Health Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must deliver on new approach to hospital reform (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home
Health Minister Robbie Butler highlights primary care gynaecology services, including HRT, heavy menstrual bleeding, LARC and pessary replacement, that avoid hospital referral, after visiting Lisnaskea Primary Care Centre. He says the model is reform in practice and cites around 650 patients…
Health Original release: Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home (opens in a new tab)
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Expert committee announced to provide advice on major HSC service changes
The UUP says the Health Minister, Robbie Butler, has published the Hospitals consultation outcomes and will set up an independent reconfiguration committee to advise on major or controversial service changes, with its advice published. The party reports that hospital categorisation proposals will…
Health Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: Expert committee announced to provide advice on major HSC service changes (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan calls for urgent action on Muckamore Inquiry recommendations
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA calls for progress and accountability on Muckamore Abbey Inquiry recommendations after meeting Action for Muckamore, who raised concerns about slow implementation. He urges the Department of Health to produce a timed roadmap covering each…
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People of Causeway Coast deserve better than disinformation on Emergency General Surgery, says Alliance representatives
Alliance Councillor Lee Kane says the Causeway Coast deserves better than disinformation from the DUP on the proposed consolidation of emergency general surgery at Antrim Area Hospital, urging an honest, evidence‑based debate, while Alderman Yvonne Boyle refutes claims that Causeway Hospital isbeing
Health Local government Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency surgery removal UUP leader comments Original release: People of Causeway Coast deserve better than disinformation on Emergency General Surgery, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Former DUP councillor Dr Kathryn Owen selected as Ulster Unionist candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down
UUP leader Jon Burrows announces that Dr Kathryn Owen, a former DUP councillor and ex-RAF medic, has been selected to contest the constituency at next year's Assembly poll. He hails her return to the party and her public health and hospital advocacy record.
Other Health Issue: Kathryn Owen selected as UUP candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down Original release: Former DUP councillor Dr Kathryn Owen selected as Ulster Unionist candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down (opens in a new tab)
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Butler must front up over deeply damaging health cuts
DUP MLAs Diane Dodds and Diane Forsythe call on Health Minister Robbie Butler to personally explain proposed Southern Health and Social Care Trust cuts, including a 12% three-year savings demand, after meeting Trust representatives.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Butler must front up over deeply damaging health cuts (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Resist Damaging Cuts to Health Service
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin opposes proposed 12% cuts to the health service, joining healthcare workers at the Altnagelvin protest and the Western Trust board meeting. He calls on Trust representatives to refuse further cuts and urges wide support for the trade union campaign against…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Harkin: Resist Damaging Cuts to Health Service (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows: We want to do business with the Prime Minister to make Northern Ireland thrive
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says the meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham was constructive and delivered three priorities – a multi‑year budget, strategic economic investment and a transformed health service – to help Northern Ireland thrive.
Economy and employment Health Issue: UUP meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham Original release: Burrows: We want to do business with the Prime Minister to make Northern Ireland thrive (opens in a new tab)
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Unprecedented Environmental Destruction Deserves Unprecedented Response
People Before Profit's Pádraig Mac Niocaill calls for serious public investment to restore Lough Neagh, tackle pollution at source and fund water infrastructure, opposing Robin Swan's call to mutualise NI Water and urging fairer rates. Ahead of a rally in Antrim town.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh toxic algae blooms and pollution Original release: Unprecedented Environmental Destruction Deserves Unprecedented Response (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: "Efficiency Savings" a Cover for Cuts that Will Hurt Patients, Lowest Paid Workers
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll says the proposed 12% health‑trust savings over three years are a cover for cuts that will damage patients and the lowest‑paid staff, urges a needs‑based budget funded by a wealth tax and pledges support for health‑worker action.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Carroll: "Efficiency Savings" a Cover for Cuts that Will Hurt Patients, Lowest Paid Workers (opens in a new tab)
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Patients and frontline services must be protected from health cuts – McGuigan
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA says patients and frontline staff must not bear the cost of British government underfunding, warning that savings demanded from health trusts could cut community and elective care. He calls for the Department of Health and trusts to publish the…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health trust savings demands and funding pressures in Northern Ireland Original release: Patients and frontline services must be protected from health cuts – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn criticises Northern Ireland being left behind as plug-in solar becomes legal in Great Britain, saying NIE Networks' G98/NI changes were promised to run in parallel. He calls on Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to explain the delay and say when households here…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: plug-in solar launch in Great Britain Original release: Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)