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4,968 releases
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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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Tree Protection Bill
Alliance Party calls for a Tree Protection Bill to strengthen legal protections for single trees, groups of trees and ancient woodland, citing a NIPSO report finding only one of 369 reported tree protection breaches led to enforcement action. The bill would reinforce Tree Preservation Orders…
Environment and climate Issue: Tree Protection Bill consultation and NIPSO tree protection breaches report Original release: Tree Protection Bill (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath expresses concern over future of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath voices alarm over Tollymore National Outdoor Centre's future after Sport NI announced a strategic review while the centre stays shut. He cites redundancy consultation with some staff and says the SDLP will press the Communities Minister to keep the centre open.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Sport NI Strategic Review of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre closure Original release: McGrath expresses concern over future of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's commitment to a series of environmental strategies this Assembly mandate, citing a written answer. He calls for political will across the chamber and reform of the Executive approval process, which he says is…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's environmental strategies commitment for remainder of mandate Original release: Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions (opens in a new tab)
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McMurray expresses disappointment following announcement on Tollymore National Outdoor Centre
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray says he is disappointed by Sport NI's decision to close Tollymore National Outdoor Centre during a Strategic Review, with staff to be made redundant. He calls on the Communities Minister to explore collaborations to reopen the centre as soon as possible.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Sport NI Strategic Review of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre closure Original release: McMurray expresses disappointment following announcement on Tollymore National Outdoor Centre (opens in a new tab)
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Councillor Truesdale welcomes decision by DAERA Minister to reject gondola proposal due to environmental concerns
Alliance Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale welcomes DAERA's rejection of a proposal to site a gondola in Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor, saying it would threaten wildlife and the surrounding landscape. She says Alliance and local residents have long opposed the project over economic and…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: DAERA rejection of Kilbroney Forest Park gondola proposal Original release: Councillor Truesdale welcomes decision by DAERA Minister to reject gondola proposal due to environmental concerns (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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Priority must be to safeguard jobs, protect the all-Ireland economy, support Irish businesses, and invest in infrastructure – Donnchadh Ó Laghaoire TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD says Ireland's priority after the EU-US tariff announcement must be safeguarding jobs and the all-island economy. He warns the 15% rate will make US exports unviable for some sectors and calls for government support, diversification and…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: US tariff announcement affecting Ireland Original release: Priority must be to safeguard jobs, protect the all-Ireland economy, support Irish businesses, and invest in infrastructure – Donnchadh Ó Laghaoire TD (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan and Mallon welcome Minister Kimmins’ ongoing support for rural transport
Newry and Armagh MLA Cathal Boylan and Councillor Ashley Mallon welcome Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins' continued backing for rural transport after meeting Armagh Rural Transport on its 25th anniversary. They say full funding in this year's budget keeps rural residents connected to essential…
Infrastructure and transport Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Armagh Rural Transport 25th anniversary and rural transport funding Original release: Boylan and Mallon welcome Minister Kimmins’ ongoing support for rural transport (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)