Latest releases
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4,116 releases
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UK Government continuing to balance books on backs of the most vulnerable, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says the UK Labour Government's first Spending Review confirms a failed austerity model, criticising cuts to disability support, the retention of the two child limit and the refusal to introduce a wealth tax, while welcoming NHS and Casement Park funding.
Public finance and taxation Social security and welfare Issue: UK Government first Spending Review 2025 Original release: UK Government continuing to balance books on backs of the most vulnerable, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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‘We will continue to make the case for a just transition’ – McAleer
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer calls on Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to heed widespread concerns about the department’s Nutrient Action Programme after the Assembly voted to reject the proposals, urging proper farmer engagement, impact assessments and support for a just transition.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote rejecting NAP proposals Original release: ‘We will continue to make the case for a just transition’ – McAleer (opens in a new tab)
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Punitive charges on workers and families not the answer to wastewater problems – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan says a new Fiscal Council report on NI Water funding shows the impact of British government austerity, and backs Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's plan to seek Executive funding, consult on developer contributions and legislate for sustainable drainage. He opposes…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Fiscal Council report on NI Water funding model Original release: Punitive charges on workers and families not the answer to wastewater problems – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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DUP leads Assembly call to withdraw NAP consultation
Deputy Leader and DUP Agriculture Spokesperson Michelle McIlveen led an Assembly debate urging the DAERA Minister to pull back the consultation on the Nutrients Action Programme.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA consultation on Nutrients Action Programme review and 2026-2029 programme Original release: DUP leads Assembly call to withdraw NAP consultation (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Executive parties cynically abandoning commitment to Lough Neagh
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Sinn Féin, the DUP and the UUP of dropping their pledges to protect Lough Neagh after backing a motion to halt consultation on the AERA Minister's Nutrients Action Programme. He calls their earlier promises empty rhetoric and urges the…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly motion to halt consultation on Nutrients Action Programme Original release: O’Toole: Executive parties cynically abandoning commitment to Lough Neagh (opens in a new tab)
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Independent Environmental Protection Agency needed to prevent another Mobuoy-scale disaster - Gerry Carroll MLA
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll welcomes the launch of the public consultation on remediating the Mobuoy dump and calls for a public inquiry and an independent Environmental Protection Agency. Councillor Shaun Harkin says illegal dumping and pollution are going unchecked across the North.
Environment and climate Issue: Mobuoy dump remediation public consultation launch Original release: Independent Environmental Protection Agency needed to prevent another Mobuoy-scale disaster - Gerry Carroll MLA (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says the sentences for two men convicted of illegal dumping at Mobuoy dump near Derry are too lenient, given the £40 m profit, water‑supply risk, A6 delay and up to £700 m cleanup cost, and calls for a full public inquiry and investment to make the site safe.
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Sentencing of two men for Mobuoy dump illegal dumping Original release: Durkan: Punishment doesn’t fit crime at Mobuoy Dump (opens in a new tab)
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Conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland
Sinn Féin held a conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland, where speakers highlighted gaps in mental health, disability and elderly services, long diagnostic waits and underfunded counselling. Delegates voted to support a Citizens Assembly on Health and called for all‑island, free‑at‑point‑of‑
Health Issue: Health and Care in a New Ireland conference Original release: Conference on Health and Care in a New Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong
UUP economy spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA warns that Department for the Economy rules excluding interconnector-imported renewable power from 2030 targets could classify Scottish wind as fossil fuel, and calls for an urgent review.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Department for the Economy renewable energy accounting rules on interconnector imports Original release: Flawed Energy Rules Undermine Northern Ireland’s Green Goals says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Data confirms Protocol damage to GB to NI Trade
TUV leader Jim Allister KC MP says new ONS data shows GB firms trading with Northern Ireland have fallen sharply since 2020, blaming the Protocol, rebranded as the Windsor Framework, for the decline.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: ONS data on GB-NI trade by business sector Original release: Data confirms Protocol damage to GB to NI Trade (opens in a new tab)
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Patient safety has to be at forefront of measures taken in Belfast Trust – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA and Health Committee chair Philip McGuigan says patient safety and staff support must come first in the Health Department's response to Belfast Trust Cardiac Services. He welcomes the Health Minister's Departmental Accountability Team and Level 5 accountability for the Trust, and…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: Patient safety has to be at forefront of measures taken in Belfast Trust – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Intervention into Belfast Trust must be radical and comprehensive:…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds welcomes the Health Minister's response on cardiac surgery at the Belfast Trust but says it came too late and calls for intervention that is radical and comprehensive. She links the issues to Trust management costs of £63 million and asks what cardiac surgeon…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: Intervention into Belfast Trust must be radical and comprehensive:… (opens in a new tab)
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The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes action on Belfast Health Trust - Chambers
UUP Health Spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA welcomes the Health Minister's decision to raise the performance accountability process for the Belfast Trust to level five and to form an intervention team with senior leadership experts. He also commends Mike Nesbitt for his recent interventions on…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes action on Belfast Health Trust - Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Belfast City Councillors propose free leisure activity for residents
Alliance Belfast City Councillors Hedley Abernethy and Micky Murray propose one free leisure activity for Belfast residents at council leisure facilities, aiming to encourage physical activity. The proposal was put to the People and Communities Committee in May 2025 and is part of Alliance's 100…
Local government Health Original release: Alliance Belfast City Councillors propose free leisure activity for residents (opens in a new tab)
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DoH must take more active role in maintaining accountability across Trusts, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls for clarity on the Department of Health's role in the Belfast Trust's accountability process, now raised to Level 5, after bullying allegations in cardiac surgery. She asks the Health Minister to answer MLAs' questions in the Assembly.
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: DoH must take more active role in maintaining accountability across Trusts, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Bullying endemic within our health service
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says bullying is endemic across the North's health service, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced special measures for the Belfast Trust over Royal Victoria Hospital Cardiac Unit reports. He calls for the Minister to address wider…
Health Issue: Ministerial Statement on cardiac surgery at Belfast Trust Original release: McGrath: Bullying endemic within our health service (opens in a new tab)
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Border posts to stay, it seems, despite proclaimed deal
TUV leader Jim Allister MP says a parliamentary answer shows no UK-EU deal removing SPS checks exists, so Irish Sea border posts at Northern Ish ports may still be needed, calling the proclaimed deal smoke and mirrors.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UK-EU Reset Deal announcement Original release: Border posts to stay, it seems, despite proclaimed deal (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says a united Ireland is the only realistic way back into the EU, ahead of an Assembly Opposition motion marking nine years since the Brexit vote and urging other parties to accept it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Assembly Opposition motion on a New Ireland and EU rejoining Original release: O’Toole: A New Ireland is the only route back to Europe (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin calls for urgent funding to create Northern Ireland’s first specialist Mother and Baby Unit, saying the continued reliance on general psychiatric wards separates mothers from infants and reflects a broader failure to prioritise women’s health.
Health Disability and equality Original release: McLaughlin: Political failure denying mothers and babies care they need (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood has written to BBC Northern Ireland's director asking for confirmation that the broadcaster will not add geoblocking to its news content, after weekend reports it was considering such a move. He argues restricting cross-border news access would harm audiences and the public…
Constitutional affairs Issue: BBC considering geoblocking of news content for Republic of Ireland audiences Original release: Eastwood seeks clarity on BBC geoblocking (opens in a new tab)