Latest releases
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3,441 releases
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Minister for Communities’ ‘zero-tolerance approach’ to benefit fraud
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons tells the Assembly he is taking a zero-tolerance approach to benefit fraud, announcing the return of naming those convicted and a Task and Finish Group to review departmental fraud interventions.
Social security and welfare Issue: Communities Minister Assembly statement on benefit fraud zero-tolerance approach Original release: Minister for Communities’ ‘zero-tolerance approach’ to benefit fraud (opens in a new tab)
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Latest frailty and failure of Assisted Dying Bill exposed
DUP MP Carla Lockhart says the removal of the requirement for a High Court judge to scrutinise assisted dying cases exposes the weakness of the Assisted Dying Bill's safeguards and should concern MPs who initially supported it.
Health Issue: Removal of High Court judge scrutiny from Assisted Dying Bill Original release: Latest frailty and failure of Assisted Dying Bill exposed (opens in a new tab)
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‘Racist graffiti is disgusting and deplorable’ – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey condemns racist graffiti that has appeared in west Belfast in recent days, calling it repugnant and urging that racism be opposed and challenged. He says the majority of local people reject such hatred and pledges continued support for diversity.
Disability and equality Issue: West Belfast racist graffiti condemnation Original release: ‘Racist graffiti is disgusting and deplorable’ – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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Improved occupational health services vital for welfare of police…
DUP Policing Board member Trevor Clarke MLA urges the Chief Constable to act swiftly on improving occupational health provision for PSNI officers, highlighting long waits, mental‑health crises and the need for a preventative in‑work support model.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Delays in PSNI occupational health services Original release: Improved occupational health services vital for welfare of police… (opens in a new tab)
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Communities in worst affected areas feel let down and forgotten in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn – Matt Carthy TD
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy says communities in worst-hit areas such as Monaghan and Cavan feel let down after Storm Éowyn, and calls for investment in the electricity grid, water services and storm planning. He also urges ESB compensation for prolonged power cuts and underground routing for the…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Storm Éowyn aftermath and Dáil statements on government response Original release: Communities in worst affected areas feel let down and forgotten in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn – Matt Carthy TD (opens in a new tab)
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More must be done to improve suicide prevention services, training and awareness – Flynn Flynn
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says more must be done on suicide prevention after NISRA's 2023 suicide statistics, and says she intends to bring legislation requiring suicide prevention training for all frontline public sector workers.
Health Issue: NISRA suicide statistics for 2023 release Original release: More must be done to improve suicide prevention services, training and awareness – Flynn Flynn (opens in a new tab)
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Honeyford calls for all-island co-operation on solutions for NI health, education, and the economy.
Alliance Economy spokesperson David Honeyford calls for cross-border co-operation with the Republic on health, education and the economy. He cites a child travelling to Manchester for cancer care and urges Invest NI to work with IDA Ireland.
Constitutional affairs Health Original release: Honeyford calls for all-island co-operation on solutions for NI health, education, and the economy. (opens in a new tab)
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Maoinigh Pobal na Gaeilge Anois!
People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll calls on the Executive and the Irish Government to fill the funding gap facing Foras na Gaeilge after cuts of over €800,000, warning they will damage jobs and language projects. The release also criticises the DUP's stance on the language and questions Sinn…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Foras na Gaeilge €800,000 budget cuts Original release: Maoinigh Pobal na Gaeilge Anois! (opens in a new tab)
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Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart
DUP MP for Upper Bann Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All-Party Pro-Life Group, expresses deep concern at Northern Ireland abortion statistics showing 2,792 abortions in 2023/24, a 28.8% rise, and calls for work to repeal Westminster's abortion laws.
Health Issue: Department of Health abortion statistics for 2023/24 published Original release: Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has published the SEN Reform Agenda and a five-year Delivery Plan, setting out short-term actions to rebuild trust with parents, build workforce capability, improve placements and support sustained funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Reform Agenda and five-year Delivery Plan publication Original release: Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters
Alliance MLA John Blair accuses Sinn Féin, the DUP, UUP and SDLP of blocking tougher penalties for repeat polluters after an Assembly vote. He says the other parties are undermining protection for Lough Neagh and farmers, and urges them to reflect on their stance.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly vote on stricter penalties for repeat polluters Original release: Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters (opens in a new tab)
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Fully implementing Cancer Strategy must be prioritised by DoH, says Donnelly, marking World Cancer Day.
Alliance Health spokesperson and East Antrim MLA Danny Donnelly calls for the Department of Health to fully implement the Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland, marking World Cancer Day 2025. He says many recommendations, including extending bowel screening to those aged 50 to 59, remain unactioned.
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Communities Minister Lyons reflects on year of real delivery
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons marks his first year in office, highlighting the Defective Premises Act, a Housing Supply Strategy targeting 100,000 homes, the Northern Ireland Football Fund and £17million for winter fuel support, and says delivery will continue.
Housing Social security and welfare Original release: Communities Minister Lyons reflects on year of real delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Fair funding for Foras na Gaeilge essential – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says he is extremely concerned the DUP is delaying agreement on a new funding model that could increase financial backing for small Irish language groups, after Foras na Gaeilge announced savings forcing cuts to grassroots organisations. He urges the DUP to agree it…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Foras na Gaeilge €800,000 budget cuts Original release: Fair funding for Foras na Gaeilge essential – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Brolly: Storm response must prioritise vulnerable
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says storm contingency plans must be accelerated so vulnerable people on the critical care register, including those on home dialysis, get power and support without delay. She calls for investment in generators for health services and cross-border collaboration…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Storm aftermath response and critical care register support Original release: Brolly: Storm response must prioritise vulnerable (opens in a new tab)
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Doherty: Executive must deliver anti-poverty strategy
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty says the Executive is failing people by not delivering an anti-poverty strategy, following a High Court case on the matter. He says the Executive is in breach of its legal duty and urges it to prioritise the strategy.
Social security and welfare Local government Issue: High Court case on the Executive's anti-poverty strategy Original release: Doherty: Executive must deliver anti-poverty strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen responds to report into suspension of emergency surgery at SWAH
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen welcomes the RQIA review of the temporary suspension of emergency surgery at South West Acute Hospital, but says its narrow scope omits permanent service plans. He urges the Trust, NIAS and the Department of Health to implement the recommendations swiftly and says Sinn Féin –
Health Issue: RQIA review of SWAH emergency surgery suspension Original release: Cullen responds to report into suspension of emergency surgery at SWAH (opens in a new tab)
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Abortion statists reveal horrific rise
TUV leader Jim Allister says Department of Health abortion statistics show a 28.8% rise in 2023/24 to 2,792 terminations and calls on the Health Minister to explain why Northern Ireland still lacks socioeconomic and repeat-abortion data available in Great Britain, despite a 2024 assurance. TUV MLA…
Health Issue: Department of Health abortion statistics for 2023/24 published Original release: Abortion statists reveal horrific rise (opens in a new tab)
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‘Game changing’ ambulance mental health service must be maintained, says Donnelly.
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls on the Health Minister to keep funding for the NIAS control‑room mental health specialist pilot, which cuts 40% of mental‑health calls and eases ambulance pressure, after the Department said funding ends at the end of the 2025 financial year.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: NIAS mental health specialist pilot funding deadline Original release: ‘Game changing’ ambulance mental health service must be maintained, says Donnelly. (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes Executive commitment to combatting forced marriage.
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes the Finance Minister's assurance that Executive agreement has been secured to extend the forced marriage offence to arranging marriages of under-18s. She calls for the related legislation to be brought before the Assembly in coming months.
Disability and equality Issue: Finance Minister's assurance on forced marriage offence extension in Assembly Original release: Bradshaw welcomes Executive commitment to combatting forced marriage. (opens in a new tab)