Latest releases
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2,489 releases
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McAllister says delays to 12-week pregnancy scans completely unacceptable
Alliance health spokesperson MLA Nuala McAllister says a four-week wait for 12-week pregnancy scans in the Belfast Health Trust is unacceptable and calls for a comprehensive national plan for maternity services from the health department.
Health Issue: Delays to 12-week pregnancy scans in Northern Ireland Original release: McAllister says delays to 12-week pregnancy scans completely unacceptable (opens in a new tab)
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Chronic underfunding of water infrastructure must be addressed, says McMurray
Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andy McMurray MLA calls for urgent investment in water and wastewater infrastructure after reports that over 1.2 million tonnes of raw sewage is discharged into the River Foyle yearly. He suggests mutualising NI Water so it can borrow to invest.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: River Foyle raw sewage discharge figures revealed Original release: Chronic underfunding of water infrastructure must be addressed, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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Role of the Energy Regulator must include addressing climate change targets, says Honeyford.
Alliance spokesperson David Honeyford MLA calls for the Utility Regulator's remit to be widened to cover Net Zero targets, after a consultancy report warned Northern Ireland will miss its 2030 goals by at least two years. He urges the Economy Minister to publish a new Energy Strategy and faster…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Consultancy report warning Northern Ireland will miss 2030 Net Zero targets Original release: Role of the Energy Regulator must include addressing climate change targets, says Honeyford. (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone calls for immediate response following Lough Neagh research
SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Patsy McGlone calls for immediate, coordinated action on Lough Neagh after Queen's University Belfast research found significant ecological and public health risks from blue-green algal blooms. He urges implementation of the Lough Neagh Action Plan protocols…
Environment and climate Health Issue: Queen's University Belfast Lough Neagh algal bloom research Original release: McGlone calls for immediate response following Lough Neagh research (opens in a new tab)
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Brogan welcomes launch of project to tackle blue-green algae
Sinn Féin MLA Nicola Brogan welcomes the launch of a research project seeking ways to tackle toxic algae in waterways, describing it as a key part of the Lough Neagh plan and urging continued action as blooms return.
Environment and climate Issue: Blue-green algae research project launch on Lough Neagh Original release: Brogan welcomes launch of project to tackle blue-green algae (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds calls for reform of Northern Ireland planning system
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds calls for urgent reform of the Northern Ireland planning system, saying the latest planning statistics show record low decisions and missed processing targets, and urging streamlined Local Development Plans and statutory timeframes.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Northern Ireland Annual Planning Statistics release Original release: McReynolds calls for reform of Northern Ireland planning system (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty urges response to Belfast deaths
SDLP councillor Paul Doherty calls for a swift, multi-agency response after five deaths in Belfast, linked to homelessness, addiction and mental health, and urges the Executive to reverse budget cuts to homelessness groups. He says he is helping the Welcome Organisation find a new premises after…
Housing Health Issue: Belfast deaths linked to Welcome Organisation headquarters closure Original release: Doherty urges response to Belfast deaths (opens in a new tab)
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Genuine users of RHI Scheme must be treated fairly - Elliott
UUP agriculture, environment and rural affairs spokesperson Tom Elliott says genuine RHI users who suffered severe financial losses must be properly compensated following the Economy Minister's announcement of the scheme's closure. He blames the DUP for a flawed copy of Whitehall legislation and…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme closure announcement Original release: Genuine users of RHI Scheme must be treated fairly - Elliott (opens in a new tab)
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Labour setting out path towards tax rises: Wilson
DUP MP Sammy Wilson says the Labour government is setting out a path to tax rises ahead of the Chancellor's statement, after abandoning a promised £300 cut in electricity bills and citing a black hole in public finances.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Chancellor's statement on public finances and expected tax rises, July 2024 Original release: Labour setting out path towards tax rises: Wilson (opens in a new tab)
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Attacks against a homelessness support charity "despicable" - Ash Jones
Green Party West Belfast representative Ash Jones condemns recent attacks and intimidation targeting the Welcome Centre, a homelessness charity in the inner west of Belfast, calling them despicable.
Housing Issue: West Belfast Welcome Centre arson attack Original release: Attacks against a homelessness support charity "despicable" - Ash Jones (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister must ensure support for those suffering severe mental distress – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon calls on the Health Minister to ensure people in severe mental distress get timely, appropriate care, and says she will raise the 'right care, right person' approach with the Policing Board over police arrests in such cases.
Health Justice and policing Original release: Health Minister must ensure support for those suffering severe mental distress – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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NI Should Not Be Left Behind in UK-Wide Ban on Puberty Blockers –…
DUP MP Carla Lockhart expresses shock at the Department of Health's reversal on banning puberty blockers, saying Northern Ireland risks being left behind the UK-wide restrictions. She urges the Health Minister to ask the UK Government to extend the ban across the UK and questions whether the…
Health Issue: Department of Health reversal on puberty blocker ban in Northern Ireland Original release: NI Should Not Be Left Behind in UK-Wide Ban on Puberty Blockers –… (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney meets with DAERA Minister alongside Lough Neagh fishermen
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says he brought DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to meet Lough Neagh fishermen and environmental tourism stakeholders in Toomebridge about blue-green algae's impact on fishing and tourism. He calls the minister's action plan a positive first step and urges a full…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Lough Neagh blue-green algae meeting with DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Original release: Kearney meets with DAERA Minister alongside Lough Neagh fishermen (opens in a new tab)
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Gaston calls for action on puberty blockers from Department of Health
North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls on the Health Minister to bring forward plans banning puberty blockers in Northern Ireland, warning the region could become a back door for them into Great Britain after a Belfast Telegraph report.
Health Issue: Belfast Telegraph report on puberty blockers reaching Great Britain via Northern Ireland Original release: Gaston calls for action on puberty blockers from Department of Health (opens in a new tab)
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Bill important first step in securing future of woodlands here, says McReynolds
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds says his proposed Private Members' Bill on tree protection is an important first step to securing Northern Ireland's woodlands. The Bill would strengthen tree preservation orders, create a 'heritage tree' designation and protect trees from permitted developments.
Environment and climate Issue: Private Members' Bill on tree protection submission Original release: Bill important first step in securing future of woodlands here, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)
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One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says the Environment Improvement Plan is more urgent than ever, welcoming the DAERA Minister's efforts to secure Executive approval after the July 2023 deadline was missed. He urges the Executive to act.
Environment and climate Original release: One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Patients face longer waits due to lack of funding for cross border healthcare
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says it is regrettable patients will face longer waits because funding was not found to reinstate the cross border healthcare reimbursement scheme. He urges the Finance Minister to urgently explore funding it and to close a £293million HSC…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Cross border healthcare reimbursement scheme excluded from Executive budget Original release: McGrath: Patients face longer waits due to lack of funding for cross border healthcare (opens in a new tab)
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Financial Settlement Needed to Sustain and Transform Public Services
The DUP's Gavin Robinson MP, speaking at Commons Questions to the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, urges the new Government to engage urgently on funding for public services. He says the interim fiscal framework announced in December falls well short and calls for a new long-term framework.
Public finance and taxation Health Original release: Financial Settlement Needed to Sustain and Transform Public Services (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson – “scarce resources must be carefully managed”
DUP MP Sammy Wilson challenges the Secretary of State over making the £300m Casement Park GAA stadium a top priority on day one, arguing schools and hospitals need funding first. He says the Government's reply doubted the stadium could be built in time for the 2028 Euros and calls for fairness…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Casement Park stadium funding and 2028 Euros timeline Original release: Wilson – “scarce resources must be carefully managed” (opens in a new tab)
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As Media & Tourism spokesperson, I will stand up for workers and quality services – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Dublin South Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh welcomes his new Sinn Féin portfolio covering tourism and media, and pledges to press for workers' rights, high-quality public services, and sustainable direct exchequer funding for RTÉ instead of the licence fee. He also calls for an all-Ireland approach…
Economy and employment Housing Issue: Aengus Ó Snodaigh appointed Sinn Féin tourism and media spokesperson Original release: As Media & Tourism spokesperson, I will stand up for workers and quality services – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (opens in a new tab)