Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
2,622 releases
-
Elliott: Reporting Mechanism Needed to Stop Armed Forces Covenant Being Blocked Locally
UUP peer Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard calls on the UK Government to ensure consistent implementation of the Armed Forces Bill across the UK and backs amendments by Lord Morse requiring reporting mechanisms. He cites the Belfast City Council dispute over signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
Other Issue: Armed Forces Bill debate and reporting mechanism amendments by Lord Morse Original release: Elliott: Reporting Mechanism Needed to Stop Armed Forces Covenant Being Blocked Locally (opens in a new tab)
-
Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home
Health Minister Robbie Butler highlights primary care gynaecology services, including HRT, heavy menstrual bleeding, LARC and pessary replacement, that avoid hospital referral, after visiting Lisnaskea Primary Care Centre. He says the model is reform in practice and cites around 650 patients…
Health Original release: Health Minister highlights gynaecology care closer to home (opens in a new tab)
-
Expert committee announced to provide advice on major HSC service changes
The UUP says the Health Minister, Robbie Butler, has published the Hospitals consultation outcomes and will set up an independent reconfiguration committee to advise on major or controversial service changes, with its advice published. The party reports that hospital categorisation proposals will…
Health Issue: Proposed Independent Reconfiguration Committee for hospital reform Original release: Expert committee announced to provide advice on major HSC service changes (opens in a new tab)
-
McGuigan calls for urgent action on Muckamore Inquiry recommendations
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA calls for progress and accountability on Muckamore Abbey Inquiry recommendations after meeting Action for Muckamore, who raised concerns about slow implementation. He urges the Department of Health to produce a timed roadmap covering each…
-
Eastwood pays tribute to Brian Tierney after decision not to contest election
SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood pays tribute to Councillor Brian Tierney, who has announced he will not stand at the upcoming local government election, praising his nearly 14 years representing Ballyarnett and his time as Mayor.
Other Local government Original release: Eastwood pays tribute to Brian Tierney after decision not to contest election (opens in a new tab)
-
People of Causeway Coast deserve better than disinformation on Emergency General Surgery, says Alliance representatives
Alliance Councillor Lee Kane says the Causeway Coast deserves better than disinformation from the DUP on the proposed consolidation of emergency general surgery at Antrim Area Hospital, urging an honest, evidence‑based debate, while Alderman Yvonne Boyle refutes claims that Causeway Hospital isbeing
Health Local government Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency surgery removal UUP leader comments Original release: People of Causeway Coast deserve better than disinformation on Emergency General Surgery, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
-
Former DUP councillor Dr Kathryn Owen selected as Ulster Unionist candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down
UUP leader Jon Burrows announces that Dr Kathryn Owen, a former DUP councillor and ex-RAF medic, has been selected to contest the constituency at next year's Assembly poll. He hails her return to the party and her public health and hospital advocacy record.
Other Health Issue: Kathryn Owen selected as UUP candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down Original release: Former DUP councillor Dr Kathryn Owen selected as Ulster Unionist candidate for Belfast South and Mid Down (opens in a new tab)
-
DUP pays tribute to Billy DeCourcy
The DUP pays tribute to former Newtownabbey Borough Council member Billy DeCourcy following his death, praising his service from 2001 to 2014 in Rathcoole. Phillip Brett MLA and Lord Dodds of Duncairn say his loyalty and warmth will be remembered.
Other Local government Original release: DUP pays tribute to Billy DeCourcy (opens in a new tab)
-
Butler must front up over deeply damaging health cuts
DUP MLAs Diane Dodds and Diane Forsythe call on Health Minister Robbie Butler to personally explain proposed Southern Health and Social Care Trust cuts, including a 12% three-year savings demand, after meeting Trust representatives.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Butler must front up over deeply damaging health cuts (opens in a new tab)
-
Harkin: Resist Damaging Cuts to Health Service
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin opposes proposed 12% cuts to the health service, joining healthcare workers at the Altnagelvin protest and the Western Trust board meeting. He calls on Trust representatives to refuse further cuts and urges wide support for the trade union campaign against…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Harkin: Resist Damaging Cuts to Health Service (opens in a new tab)
-
Burrows: We want to do business with the Prime Minister to make Northern Ireland thrive
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says the meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham was constructive and delivered three priorities – a multi‑year budget, strategic economic investment and a transformed health service – to help Northern Ireland thrive.
Economy and employment Health Issue: UUP meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham Original release: Burrows: We want to do business with the Prime Minister to make Northern Ireland thrive (opens in a new tab)
-
Unprecedented Environmental Destruction Deserves Unprecedented Response
People Before Profit's Pádraig Mac Niocaill calls for serious public investment to restore Lough Neagh, tackle pollution at source and fund water infrastructure, opposing Robin Swan's call to mutualise NI Water and urging fairer rates. Ahead of a rally in Antrim town.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Lough Neagh toxic algae blooms and pollution Original release: Unprecedented Environmental Destruction Deserves Unprecedented Response (opens in a new tab)
-
Carroll: "Efficiency Savings" a Cover for Cuts that Will Hurt Patients, Lowest Paid Workers
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll says the proposed 12% health‑trust savings over three years are a cover for cuts that will damage patients and the lowest‑paid staff, urges a needs‑based budget funded by a wealth tax and pledges support for health‑worker action.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Carroll: "Efficiency Savings" a Cover for Cuts that Will Hurt Patients, Lowest Paid Workers (opens in a new tab)
-
Patients and frontline services must be protected from health cuts – McGuigan
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA says patients and frontline staff must not bear the cost of British government underfunding, warning that savings demanded from health trusts could cut community and elective care. He calls for the Department of Health and trusts to publish the…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health trust savings demands and funding pressures in Northern Ireland Original release: Patients and frontline services must be protected from health cuts – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
-
Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain
Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn criticises Northern Ireland being left behind as plug-in solar becomes legal in Great Britain, saying NIE Networks' G98/NI changes were promised to run in parallel. He calls on Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to explain the delay and say when households here…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: plug-in solar launch in Great Britain Original release: Northern Ireland left behind as plug-in solar launches in Britain (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
-
Latest data shows urgent need to tackle the severe staffing shortages in healthcare – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan expresses concern over the latest HSC Active Recruitment and Quarterly Workforce Statistics, which show 2,005 nursing and midwifery posts under active recruitment. He calls on the new Health Minister to resolve the pay award dispute with the RCN and trade unions and…
Health Economy and employment Issue: Latest HSC Active Recruitment and Quarterly Workforce Statistics publication Original release: Latest data shows urgent need to tackle the severe staffing shortages in healthcare – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
-
Health savings won’t be allowed to come at expense of patient safety – Chambers
UUP health spokesperson Alan Chambers MLA says patient safety must come first as Health Trusts consider savings proposals, warning financial targets cannot dictate safe care. He blames the Executive's failure to agree a Budget and calls for Westminster to recognise funding pressures.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Trust savings proposals and patient safety Original release: Health savings won’t be allowed to come at expense of patient safety – Chambers (opens in a new tab)
-
Cullen calls for urgent action on Friedreich’s Ataxia drug and an all-island approach to healthcare
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen calls for urgent action so patients with Friedreich's Ataxia in the North can access Skyclarys, after the HSE approved its reimbursement in the South. She also urges an all-island approach to healthcare coordination and access to innovative treatments.
Health Disability and equality Issue: HSE approval of Skyclarys for Friedreich's Ataxia reimbursement Original release: Cullen calls for urgent action on Friedreich’s Ataxia drug and an all-island approach to healthcare (opens in a new tab)
-
MP marks 400th Anniversary of Ballymena with Commons Motion
TUV MP Jim Allister has tabled a Commons motion marking Ballymena's 400th anniversary, noting the 1626 charter granted to the Adair family and congratulating businesses including Wrightbus. He says the town has grown into a renowned commercial hub.
Other Economy and employment Original release: MP marks 400th Anniversary of Ballymena with Commons Motion (opens in a new tab)
-
Allister Vindicated as UK Carbon Levy Hits Ferry Passengers
TUV MP Jim Allister KC says P&O Ferries' confirmation of a £10 surcharge on coach bookings between Cairnryan and Larne shows his earlier warnings about the UK carbon trading scheme extension to shipping were justified. He calls the costs unfair to Northern Ireland passengers and businesses and…
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: P&O Ferries £10 coach surcharge linked to UK Emissions Trading Scheme Original release: Allister Vindicated as UK Carbon Levy Hits Ferry Passengers (opens in a new tab)