Latest releases
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4,524 releases
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O'Toole: Parades dispute can’t be excuse for abandoning governance
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the Drumcree dispute must not be used as a reason for Executive parties to abandon governance, as Northern Ireland passes the halfway point of the financial year without an agreed Budget and Stormont tensions grow.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Drumcree dispute and failure to agree Budget at Stormont Original release: O'Toole: Parades dispute can’t be excuse for abandoning governance (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 6 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows seeks full cost recovery for £3m Drumcree policing operation
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA writes to the Secretary of State urging the Government to reimburse all extra costs of the Drumcree policing operation, which has already reached about £3 million, so the PSNI budget and other investigations are not compromised.
Justice and policing Public finance and taxation Issue: Drumcree policing operation cost Original release: Burrows seeks full cost recovery for £3m Drumcree policing operation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong: A year lost, and still nothing for the big investments farmers need
Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA says farmers went a year without capital investment support after DAERA delays, and calls for clarity on when larger farm investment support will open. She says the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme opened only in…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA farm capital investment support letters of offer figures Original release: Armstrong: A year lost, and still nothing for the big investments farmers need (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 2 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee Chair Philip McGuigan welcomes the confirmed expansion of bowel cancer screening to younger people from November, saying earlier detection can save lives. He says full coverage for those aged 50 and over will not arrive until 2031 and will keep pressing for it…
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: Expansion of bowel cancer screening welcome – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Executive cannot allow political crisis to deepen Budget chaos
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the absence of an agreed Budget six months into the financial year shows the Executive's failure to govern. Ahead of the Finance Committee, he warns that Drumcree tensions must not push the Budget crisis aside and that Executive collapse would…
Public finance and taxation Original release: O'Toole: Executive cannot allow political crisis to deepen Budget chaos (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 7 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Butler announces major expansion of bowel cancer screening programme
UUP Health Minister Robbie Butler announces a phased widening of bowel cancer screening invitations, starting with those aged 59 from 2 November 2026, 58-year-olds from April 2027, and full eligibility for ages 50 to 74 by 2031.
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: Butler announces major expansion of bowel cancer screening programme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister welcomes expansion of bowel cancer screening, emphasising need to ensure access to genetic testing as part of preventative approach
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the extension of bowel cancer screening invitations to people aged 59 from November 2026 and 58-year-olds from April 2027. She calls for the phased age reduction to be completed quickly and for wider family access to genetic testing.
Health Issue: Bowel cancer screening expansion to younger age groups from November Original release: McAllister welcomes expansion of bowel cancer screening, emphasising need to ensure access to genetic testing as part of preventative approach (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the DUP and Sinn Féin benefit from community division over the Drumcree-linked Orange Order march down the Garvaghy Road, claiming it distracts from hospital closures, housing and cost of living. He calls the decision to allow the march the most destabilising since…
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Orange Order application to march down Garvaghy Road Original release: The Strategy of Drumcree March is to Save a Unionism that is in Crisis – Tóibín (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone presses Minister on policing costs of Drumcree parade
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA calls for the full policing costs of the Orange Order's planned Drumcree-related parade down Garvaghy Road to be published, including the cost of 200 officers brought in from Scotland. He also presses Justice Minister Naomi Long on alternative uses for…
Justice and policing Community relations and legacy Issue: Garvaghy Road parade policing costs and Scottish officers deployment Original release: McGlone presses Minister on policing costs of Drumcree parade (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson welcomes Conversion Practices Bill passing second stage
Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA welcomes his Conversion Practices Bill clearing second stage in the Assembly, with the bill now moving to Committee Stage. He calls conversion practices cruel and archaic and says the bill protects LGBT+ people while preserving free speech and religious…
Disability and equality Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill Second Stage debate Original release: Tennyson welcomes Conversion Practices Bill passing second stage (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin opposed to conversion therapy – Hargey
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey says the party opposes conversion therapy during the Second Stage debate on the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill. She says Sinn Féin will keep engaging with the Bill sponsor to make the legislation fit for purpose.
Disability and equality Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill Second Stage debate Original release: Sinn Féin opposed to conversion therapy – Hargey (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Secretary of State must extend budget deadline
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA says he has written to the Secretary of State asking him to defer Thursday's deadline for the Executive's three-year budget by a short, defined period. He argues leaders need time to address the current strain on political relationships and consult properly, while…
Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive three-year budget deadline extension request to Secretary of State Original release: Secretary of State must extend budget deadline (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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March for Clean Water: Stormont
People Before Profit calls on people from across the North to join a march at Stormont on 26 September demanding urgent action on toxic algae in Lough Neagh and drinking water quality. It blames intensive agriculture, data centres and underfunding of NI Water for the pollution.
Environment and climate Original release: March for Clean Water: Stormont (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons announces £2m investment in sports clubs
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announces a £2m Olympic Legacy Fund package for sports clubs in 2026/27, saying £2.1m has already gone to 81 grassroots clubs and that applications are now open.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Olympic Legacy Fund £2m sports clubs funding package 2026/27 Original release: Lyons announces £2m investment in sports clubs (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 2 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes DAERA financial mitigation for Lough Neagh fishermen
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes DAERA's three-year financial support scheme for Lough Neagh fishermen during the ongoing moratorium, but says it falls short of full compensation for lost income. He calls for sustained work with the fishing cooperative, the wider fishing community and…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: DAERA three-year financial support scheme for Lough Neagh fishermen Original release: Kearney welcomes DAERA financial mitigation for Lough Neagh fishermen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll: Stormont Stalemate Robbing Thousands of a Second Chance at Education
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll condemns the planned cut of almost 8,000 further‑education places, saying the Executive’s budget stalemate will hit working‑class, women returning to work and newcomers, and calls for emergency funding to restore the places.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Planned cuts of 8,000 further‑education places Original release: Carroll: Stormont Stalemate Robbing Thousands of a Second Chance at Education (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 3 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme
UUP reports Health Minister Robbie Butler has announced £500,000 to extend the Support While Waiting Grant Scheme for another year, funding voluntary groups to offer free support to people on HSCNI waiting lists. Applications open 25 September 2026 and close 6 November 2026.
Health Issue: Support While Waiting Grant Scheme extension announcement Original release: Health Minister announces Support While Waiting Grant Scheme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Trust, Minister and Department must find solutions to Daisy Hill Maternity crisis – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes calls on the Southern Trust, the health department and the Health Minister to find workable fixes for the Daisy Hill maternity crisis, saying local expectant mothers are anxious and warning of patient safety risks over capacity and travel times.
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services crisis and possible relocation to Craigavon Original release: Trust, Minister and Department must find solutions to Daisy Hill Maternity crisis – Hughes (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Minister needs to fulfil promise of transparency and communication:…
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says the Health Minister must deliver on promised transparency after he failed to answer questions at the Health Committee on the youngest puberty blocker recipient and the Maternity Hospital handover review. She claims bowel screening and thrombectomy announcements were hard…
Health Issue: Health Committee questioning of Health Minister on transparency and communication Original release: Minister needs to fulfil promise of transparency and communication:… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA says the UK Government's latest funding package is not fair or sufficient despite its movement, calls for an agreed multi-year Budget, and urges the Secretary of State to stay open to further targeted support rather than threatening to set spending…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: UK Government final offer on Northern Ireland funding package Original release: Calling it a final offer doesn't make it fair (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)