Latest releases
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2,489 releases
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NI-Wide waiting list move welcome - Dodds
Upper Bann DUP MLA and Party Spokesperson for Health Diane Dodds welcomes the Health Minister's decision to let patients awaiting a breast cancer appointment take the earliest available slot anywhere in Northern Ireland. She says a Northern Ireland-wide waiting list approach is fair and calls it a…
Health Issue: Health Minister breast cancer appointments available across Northern Ireland Original release: NI-Wide waiting list move welcome - Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Unblocking water issues key to unlocking housing opportunities for all
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan asks Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd for clarity on plans to make housebuilders fund water infrastructure upgrades, after a committee briefing he calls vague and underwhelming. He warns the charges could raise housing costs and drive developers…
Infrastructure and transport Housing Issue: Minister O'Dowd's briefing to Infrastructure Committee on water infrastructure funding Original release: Durkan: Unblocking water issues key to unlocking housing opportunities for all (opens in a new tab)
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Public Health legislation must be consistent with human rights and equality
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Health Liz Kimmins says any new Public Health Bill, covering future public health emergencies, must be consistent with human rights and equality and receive rigorous Health Committee scrutiny. She notes the Department of Health has extended its public consultation by two…
Health Issue: Department of Health consultation on new Public Health Bill powers Original release: Public Health legislation must be consistent with human rights and equality (opens in a new tab)
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Assembly must query assurances from Westminster - Aiken
UUP Finance spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken MLA says the party will vote against the final reading of the Budget Bill, arguing it leaves health underfunded and that assurances from the Treasury on around £500 million cannot be trusted given the City Deals pause.
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Assembly Budget Bill final reading vote Original release: Assembly must query assurances from Westminster - Aiken (opens in a new tab)
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Action on respite services cannot wait any longer, says McAllister.
Alliance Health Spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA calls for urgent action to reform and expand respite services in Northern Ireland, following a BBC Spotlight investigation into support for families of children with special educational needs and disabilities. She says the Health Minister has been…
Health Disability and equality Issue: BBC Spotlight investigation on support for families of disabled children Original release: Action on respite services cannot wait any longer, says McAllister. (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister should withdraw Public Health Bill Consultation
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds writes to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt urging him to withdraw the current Public Health Bill consultation and issue a new paper, citing vague language and concerns over the mandatory vaccination element.
Health Issue: Department of Health consultation on new Public Health Bill powers Original release: Health Minister should withdraw Public Health Bill Consultation (opens in a new tab)
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Here we go, from Coleraine to Sandy Row – TUV hail fundraising efforts for the Cancer Fund for Children by Coleraine and Belfast Rangers Supporters Clubs
TUV Vice Chairman Councillor Allister Kyle praises the Glasgow Rangers supporters clubs for raising £50,000 for the Cancer Fund for Children, saying the funds will support the Daisy Lodge therapeutic centre in Newcastle, County Down, and welcomes further fundraising.
Health Issue: Rangers supporters clubs raise £50,000 for Cancer Fund for Children Original release: Here we go, from Coleraine to Sandy Row – TUV hail fundraising efforts for the Cancer Fund for Children by Coleraine and Belfast Rangers Supporters Clubs (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes ban on wet wipes containing plastics
Alliance environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's plan to introduce a UK-wide ban on plastic-containing wet wipes by the end of 2024, citing an 18-month transition and microplastic harms.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA plans UK-wide ban on plastic-containing wet wipes Original release: Blair welcomes ban on wet wipes containing plastics (opens in a new tab)
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Shared housing must remain a priority to promote community cohesion, says Armstrong
Alliance's housing spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Department for Communities and the NIHE to properly resource and review the 'Housing for All' Shared Housing Programme, arguing it remains a tool for community cohesion as the draft Programme for Government is published.
Housing Community relations and legacy Original release: Shared housing must remain a priority to promote community cohesion, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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Conference 2024 - Diane Dodds MLA
DUP Health spokesperson Diane Dodds says the party is preparing a response to the Department of Health's proposed Public Health Legislation over concerns about personal liberties. She also calls for a new approach to waiting lists, including partnerships beyond Northern Ireland, and better…
Health Original release: Conference 2024 - Diane Dodds MLA (opens in a new tab)
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If the Health Minister is opposed to mandatory vaccination why is he consulting on it?
Traditional Unionist Voice says Health Minister Mike Nesbitt should not be consulting on mandatory vaccination after stating he opposes it, and warns the Public Health Bill also grants powers for domestic travel bans, compulsory medical examinations, hospital orders and new offences for headteachers
Health Issue: Department of Health consultation on new Public Health Bill powers Original release: If the Health Minister is opposed to mandatory vaccination why is he consulting on it? (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw submits petition calling for 24/7 access to thrombectomy
Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw submitted a petition to the Assembly Speaker urging the Minister to deliver 24/7 thrombectomy for eligible stroke survivors, highlighting current low access and the need for infrastructure, equipment and training.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Petition for 24/7 thrombectomy service Original release: Bradshaw submits petition calling for 24/7 access to thrombectomy (opens in a new tab)
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Waiting List Crisis Requires New Approach – Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA calls on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to implement the Bengoa report and press the Treasury for more funding, after a 9.4% rise in people awaiting first consultant-led outpatient appointments. She has tabled an Assembly motion calling for additional…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Rise in first consultant-led outpatient waiting lists in NI trusts Original release: Waiting List Crisis Requires New Approach – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Honesty required over health spending – Chambers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers accuses DUP MLA Phillip Brett of inaccurately claiming an extra £76m was given to tackle waiting lists, saying the money is not additional, comprises £34m from UK Government and £42m from internal Department of Health prioritisation.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: DUP claim of extra £76m for health waiting lists Original release: Honesty required over health spending – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
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We Must Oppose Orwellian Public Health Powers - Brolly
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly opposes proposed powers in a Department of Health consultation on a new Public Health Bill, including forced entry to premises, compulsory vaccination and detention in hospital. She calls on the Health Minister to rescind the consultation document immediately.
Health Issue: Department of Health consultation on new Public Health Bill powers Original release: We Must Oppose Orwellian Public Health Powers - Brolly (opens in a new tab)
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Government Clueless on Immigration Numbers for Mayo - Cllr Paul Lawless
Aontú Cllr Paul Lawless says the Government is either misleading or unaware about new accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in Mayo, citing conflicting Department of Integration information on planned buildings and terminated contracts. He calls the situation bizarre and urges clarity on the numbers.
Immigration Housing Issue: Mayo accommodation for Ukrainian refugees conflicting Department of Integration information Original release: Government Clueless on Immigration Numbers for Mayo - Cllr Paul Lawless (opens in a new tab)
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Maghie welcomes further expansion of kerb side glass recycling services.
Alliance Ormiston Councillor Jenna Maghie welcomes Belfast City Council's decision to extend kerbside glass recycling to over 6,000 more homes in Greater Belfast, with collections due to begin by March 2025. She says Alliance proposed the extra funding and pledges to push for citywide expansion.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Belfast City Council kerbside glass recycling expansion decision Original release: Maghie welcomes further expansion of kerb side glass recycling services. (opens in a new tab)
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It’s time to end austerity and invest in public services, says Tennyson
Alliance Finance spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA urges the UK Government to abandon austerity and reprioritise investment, ahead of an Alliance Assembly motion on the issue. He also calls on the Finance Minister to produce an overdue Sustainability Plan with a new funding formula.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Alliance Assembly motion on austerity and public service funding Original release: It’s time to end austerity and invest in public services, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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PfG short on clear commitments: O’Toole
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole says the draft Programme for Government contains few specific targets, citing no clear waiting list reduction target and no measures on Lough Neagh or Special Educational Needs backlogs. He calls for binding targets.
Health Issue: Draft Programme for Government launch Original release: PfG short on clear commitments: O’Toole (opens in a new tab)
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Renewed call for Baby Loss Certificates to be introduced in Northern…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart renews her call for baby loss certificates to be introduced in Northern Ireland, following a Westminster Hall debate and an online petition. She urges the Health Minister to prioritise an optional scheme, which she says would align with England's rollout.
Health Issue: Westminster Hall debate on baby loss certificates Original release: Renewed call for Baby Loss Certificates to be introduced in Northern… (opens in a new tab)