Latest releases
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4,788 releases
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Any reduction in patient waiting times step in the right direction but long-term planning and investment needed to ensure progress – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, Chair of the Health Committee, welcomes reductions in waiting lists noted by the Health Minister at the NICON '25 conference, but urges more progress on red flag cancer waits and long-term investment planning.
Health Issue: Health Minister's NICON '25 remarks on reducing waiting lists Original release: Any reduction in patient waiting times step in the right direction but long-term planning and investment needed to ensure progress – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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All communities must have a say in new plan for Belfast’s Waterfront – Ní Chuilín
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes a multi-million-pound National Lottery Heritage Fund investment in Belfast's Waterfront and calls on the Fund to ensure all communities, including inner-city residents, are fully engaged in the process.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: National Lottery Heritage Fund investment in Belfast Waterfront Original release: All communities must have a say in new plan for Belfast’s Waterfront – Ní Chuilín (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Winter health plan confusion failing patients and staff
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA warns of a looming winter health crisis after the Health Minister's winter pressures plan remained unfinalised in mid-October, with trust-level plans still outstanding and the timeline unclear.
Health Issue: Winter Preparedness Plan publication delay Original release: O’Toole: Winter health plan confusion failing patients and staff (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: £800m school repairs scandal exposes total failure of leadership
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA says a Public Accounts Committee report on the schools estate, chaired by SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan, shows serious shortcomings at the Department of Education and Education Authority. She calls on the Education Minister to act now on the…
Education Issue: Public Accounts Committee report on schools estate maintenance backlog Original release: Hunter: £800m school repairs scandal exposes total failure of leadership (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcomes progress towards pay deal for health workers but warns there’s still more to be done
Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers welcomes Executive endorsement of a Health Minister proposal to align health and social care pay with UK colleagues, but says the £208m-cost 2025/26 award is only partly funded and criticises the First Minister's press conference remarks.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive funding of £100 million for nurses' pay uplift Original release: Chambers welcomes progress towards pay deal for health workers but warns there’s still more to be done (opens in a new tab)
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School dilapidation result of years of systemic failure to strategically invest in education, says Mathison
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA says school dilapidation stems from years of neglect of the school estate by the education department and past ministers, who he claims avoided difficult decisions on reform. Event label applies to the dilapidation issue as a whole.
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McAllister provides cautious welcome for steps towards confirming pay awards for health workers
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA gives a cautious welcome to Executive steps towards funding health sector pay awards, but says the Health Minister needs the resources to match the offer and deliver the award he has promoted.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Executive funding of £100 million for nurses' pay uplift Original release: McAllister provides cautious welcome for steps towards confirming pay awards for health workers (opens in a new tab)
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High Court Ruling Upholds Rule of Law Over Ideology in Education — Wilson Welcomes Judgment on Bangor Academy Case
Peter Wilson, Chairman of North Down TUV, welcomes the High Court’s ruling that the Education Minister’s refusal to convert Bangor Academy and Rathmore Primary to integrated status was lawful, saying it restores legal clarity and stresses that education policy must be based on evidence, not politics
Education Issue: High Court ruling on north Down schools' integrated transformation applications Original release: High Court Ruling Upholds Rule of Law Over Ideology in Education — Wilson Welcomes Judgment on Bangor Academy Case (opens in a new tab)
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Infrastructure Minister should step up on Lough Neagh
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says Infrastructure Minister must step up on Lough Neagh and appear before the NI Affairs Committee, arguing sewage outflow is an overlooked factor alongside agriculture. He points to Action 12 of the Lough Neagh Action Plan as critical.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: NI Affairs Committee evidence session on Lough Neagh environmental situation Original release: Infrastructure Minister should step up on Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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High Court ruling brings clarity to Integrated transformation…
DUP MLA David Brooks says the High Court ruling on two north Down schools' bids to become integrated is significant, clarifying the criteria for transformation. He stresses it concerns the legal definition of integrated education and the 'reasonable numbers' test, not the schools' quality, and…
Education Issue: High Court ruling on north Down schools' integrated transformation applications Original release: High Court ruling brings clarity to Integrated transformation… (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes decisive court ruling upholding lawful decision on…
DUP Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes a High Court judgment dismissing judicial review challenges to his refusals to approve integrated status for Rathmore Primary and Bangor Academy, saying the ruling confirms his decisions were lawful.
Education Issue: High Court ruling on north Down schools' integrated transformation applications Original release: Givan welcomes decisive court ruling upholding lawful decision on… (opens in a new tab)
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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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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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Education Minister not prioritising children’s rights protections, says Guy
Alliance's Michelle Guy MLA calls on the Education Minister to clarify whether the Department is backing away from commitments on restraint and seclusion in schools, after NICCY and the Children's Law Centre withdrew from its Restraint and Seclusion Task and Finish Group. She also calls for repeal…
Education Issue: NICCY and Children's Law Centre withdrawal from restraint and seclusion task and finish group Original release: Education Minister not prioritising children’s rights protections, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance express disappointment at ruling on Bangor integrated schools legal bid
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison says he is extremely disappointed that leave was refused for a judicial review of the Department of Education's rejection of Bangor Academy and Rathmore Primary School's bids to become integrated. North Down MLA Connie Egan says the decision will cause shock and…
Education Issue: High Court ruling on north Down schools' integrated transformation applications Original release: Alliance express disappointment at ruling on Bangor integrated schools legal bid (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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‘Tackling child poverty must be a priority for all parties’ – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker says parties must work together on child poverty and calls on the DUP Communities Minister to strengthen the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy after its consultation closed. He also promotes his planned legislation placing a legal duty on education bodies to make holiday…
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Assembly motion on child poverty and draft Anti-Poverty Strategy Original release: ‘Tackling child poverty must be a priority for all parties’ – Baker (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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Job of Assembly to grasp opportunities to improve people’s lives – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the Executive's 2025–26 Legislation Programme, backing the Racial Equality Bill and the 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill, which he says will protect vulnerable workers and be introduced by Minister Caoimhe Archibald next year.
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Executive 2025–26 Legislation Programme and 'Good Jobs' Employment Rights Bill Original release: Job of Assembly to grasp opportunities to improve people’s lives – Kearney (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)