Latest releases
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4,460 releases
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TUV Launch Public Petition Calling for Funding to Gender Identity Service to be Stopped
Traditional Unionist Voice launches an online petition urging Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to reverse the £800,000 approval for a new “lifespan” gender identity service with no lower age limit, arguing the evidence is insufficient, it endangers children and misuses public money.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: TUV Launch Public Petition Calling for Funding to Gender Identity Service to be Stopped (opens in a new tab)
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Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says Belfast International Airport senior executives have agreed to meet her and constituents over reports of humiliating security screening experiences involving stoma bags. She also says she has contacted Belfast City Airport about sharing training, and will work with…
Disability and equality Health Issue: Belfast International Airport meeting over stoma bag security screening complaints Original release: Lockhart Secures High-Level Meeting with Airport Chiefs Over… (opens in a new tab)
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Statement from Mike Nesbitt, Leader Ulster Unionist Party and Health Minister, on nurses pay rise
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, also Health Minister, says he shares the RCN's frustration that 2025-26 recommended nurse pay rises remain unimplemented, noting his May Ministerial Direction decision is stuck with the wider Executive.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurses 2025-26 pay award Ministerial Direction delay Original release: Statement from Mike Nesbitt, Leader Ulster Unionist Party and Health Minister, on nurses pay rise (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive disrespect for nurses risks strike action
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA warns the Executive is courting nurses' industrial action by not paying the agreed 3.6% pay rise, after the RCN declared a trade dispute. He says the RCN's June letter to the First and deputy First Ministers went unanswered and calls for urgent…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Nurses 2025-26 pay award Ministerial Direction delay Original release: McGrath: Executive disrespect for nurses risks strike action (opens in a new tab)
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Ann Graves TD hosts meeting for families affected by drug addiction in Leinster House
Sinn Féin spokesperson Ann Graves TD says a meeting with Families Addiction Recovery Ireland highlighted concerns, and criticises a government diversion scheme for drug possession as a shortsighted move that undermines a health-led approach. She calls for families to be central to any new National…
Health Justice and policing Issue: Government diversion scheme for people caught with drugs Original release: Ann Graves TD hosts meeting for families affected by drug addiction in Leinster House (opens in a new tab)
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Banning Conversion Practices
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson proposes a Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland, creating two new offences: engaging in conversion practice, and removing a person from Northern Ireland for that purpose.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Private Members' Bill to ban conversion practices in Northern Ireland Original release: Banning Conversion Practices (opens in a new tab)
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United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly is introducing a Bill that would require public authorities in Northern Ireland to give statutory due regard to the rights set out in the UN disability treaty, UNCRPD, when developing and reviewing policies and decisions.
Disability and equality Issue: UNCRPD public authorities due regard Bill introduction Original release: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Obligation on Public Authorities) Bill (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Waiting list crisis demands concrete response
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA questions why it took so long to appoint Professor Mark Taylor to lead efforts on health waiting lists, and calls for concrete action and clearer detail on his role rather than recycled funding figures.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: McGrath: Waiting list crisis demands concrete response (opens in a new tab)
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Renewed focus on waiting lists needed - Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the appointment of Professor Mark Taylor to drive down waiting lists across Northern Ireland, saying patients need visible progress and hoping his role brings fresh urgency to waiting times and access to care.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: Renewed focus on waiting lists needed - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes appointment of Clinical Director for Elective Care
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes the Health Minister's appointment of Professor Mark Taylor to the newly created post of Elective Care lead, and says he will work with the minister to cut waiting lists using £215 million in this year's budget.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: McGuigan welcomes appointment of Clinical Director for Elective Care (opens in a new tab)
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Resolution needed to GP dispute to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan urges the Health Minister to meet GP representatives urgently and seek a quick settlement of the GP dispute with the Department of Health, which has led to collective action this week. He says pressure on GPs is limiting patients' access to appointments.
Health Issue: GP collective action over Department of Health dispute Original release: Resolution needed to GP dispute to ensure patients get the care they need – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston writes to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt raising safeguarding concerns about the Department's new gender identity service, which he says appears to accept referrals without a lower age limit. He demands full disclosure of the policy's development, consultees and…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister's £800,000 gender identity service allocation Original release: TUV write to Health Minister raising issues with gender identity service and demanding full transparency (opens in a new tab)
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Hard Border ‘Cements-in’ the Division of the United Kingdom from Today – ‘Permanent’ Border Control Posts Operationalise
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says the permanent Border Control Post at Larne, opening today, cements a hard Irish Sea border that cuts Northern Ireland off from the UK Internal Market for Goods, with Belfast following on 11 August.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Larne permanent Border Control Post opening Original release: Hard Border ‘Cements-in’ the Division of the United Kingdom from Today – ‘Permanent’ Border Control Posts Operationalise (opens in a new tab)
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Trump/EU trade deal brings more challenges than opportunities for Windsor Framework stifled Northern Ireland - Aiken
Ulster Unionist Windsor Framework spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken MLA says the 15% EU-US tariff avoids a 30% cliff edge but the Irish Sea Border will add bureaucracy for Northern Ireland imports from the United States. He says the Secretary of State has not taken a firm stance on tariff variations and…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: US tariff announcement affecting Ireland Original release: Trump/EU trade deal brings more challenges than opportunities for Windsor Framework stifled Northern Ireland - Aiken (opens in a new tab)
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Chambers welcome new emphasis on waiting times
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers welcomes the Health Minister’s creation of a senior role for Professor Mark Taylor to drive recovery of waiting times in Northern Ireland, calling the move a highly welcome decision that will help patients after long delays.
Health Issue: Professor Mark Taylor appointment to tackle Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: Chambers welcome new emphasis on waiting times (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister reiterates call for the Health Minister to engage with GPs
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA urges the Health Minister to immediately engage with GPs after the BMA announced collective action over a Department of Health funding settlement GPs voted against. She says the imposed package offers 50p against a stated £39 per patient requirement.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: GP collective action over Department of Health dispute Original release: McAllister reiterates call for the Health Minister to engage with GPs (opens in a new tab)
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TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation
TUV Equality Spokeswoman Ann McClure condemns a figure dressed as Jesus Christ in Belfast Pride's parade as offensive to Christians and says public sector bodies taking part will be challenged over Section 75 obligations and political neutrality.
Disability and equality Issue: Individual dressed as Jesus Christ at Belfast Pride parade Original release: TUV Condemns “Blasphemous Display” at Belfast Pride and Calls Out Public Sector Participation (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston writes to NICS head over “Pride” concerns
North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says he has written to the Northern Ireland Civil Service head, Ms Brady, over NICS intranet promotion of Belfast Pride, questioning the basis for it and whether political sensitivities were considered. He asks about safeguards against endorsing political causes…
Disability and equality Issue: Civil Service participation in Belfast Pride FOI response Original release: Gaston writes to NICS head over “Pride” concerns (opens in a new tab)
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Pride more important than ever, says Murray, wishing all celebrating a happy Belfast Pride
Alliance councillor Micky Murray, a former Belfast Lord Mayor, wishes everyone celebrating Belfast Pride a safe and happy event, saying the 'No Going Back' theme is especially fitting given the present social climate.
Disability and equality Original release: Pride more important than ever, says Murray, wishing all celebrating a happy Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín welcomes investment for Brackenburn Clinic
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín welcomes Department of Health investment in the Brackenburn Clinic, saying it is long overdue and will help trans people access timely, consent-based medical care. She urges the minister to ensure the clinic meets their needs.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health investment in Brackenburn Clinic Original release: Ní Chuilín welcomes investment for Brackenburn Clinic (opens in a new tab)