Latest releases
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2,987 releases
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Interim report on drugs "positive to see progress on saving lives and reducing harm" - Senator O'Hara
Green Party Senator Mal O'Hara welcomes an Oireachtas joint committee interim report on drugs, which recommends a health-led approach, repealing Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997 and decriminalising possession of all substances for personal use. He urges the Executive parties in Northern…
Health Justice and policing Issue: Oireachtas joint committee interim report on drugs policy Original release: Interim report on drugs "positive to see progress on saving lives and reducing harm" - Senator O'Hara (opens in a new tab)
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Vital that work starts now towards meaningful action, says Alliance Education representatives, following IRE report.
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy welcome the Education Minister’s response to the Independent Review of Education but say essential recommendations lack ambition, urging immediate action on raising participation age, SEN, academic selection, integrated schooling and an Early Childhood
Education Disability and equality Issue: Independent Review of Education recommendations response Original release: Vital that work starts now towards meaningful action, says Alliance Education representatives, following IRE report. (opens in a new tab)
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Urgent action needed in terms of approach to HIV and ending stigma, says Harpur, proposing motion.
Alliance Castlereagh South Councillor Jamie Harpur calls on Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to back a motion recognising the urgent need to end HIV and its stigma, including joining the HIV Fast Track Cities initiative to end the epidemic by 2030.
Health Local government Issue: Lisburn and Castlereagh council HIV motion on ending stigma and epidemic Original release: Urgent action needed in terms of approach to HIV and ending stigma, says Harpur, proposing motion. (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes recognition of need for increased respite provision
SDLP Health Spokesperson and South Down MLA Colin McGrath welcomes the Assembly's backing for more respite care for children and adults with complex needs and severe behavioural challenges. He says the SDLP amended a motion on adult provision to cover children, and he calls on the Health Minister…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on respite services for learning disability carers Original release: McGrath welcomes recognition of need for increased respite provision (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Workforce key to addressing maternity issues
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says workforce shortages must be tackled now, urging more midwife training places and recruitment before next September. He responds to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's Assembly statement on the independent maternity and neonatal review, calling for regional…
Health Issue: Independent review of midwifery services and Daisy Hill maternity staffing Original release: McGrath: Workforce key to addressing maternity issues (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Minister of Health must rethink refusal of Women's Health Strategy
SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin urges the Health Minister to rethink his decision not to develop a dedicated Women's Health Strategy, after he cited budget constraints in an Assembly answer. She calls the refusal a backwards step for women's health.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Health Minister decision not to develop Women's Health Strategy Original release: McLaughlin: Minister of Health must rethink refusal of Women's Health Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin motion supporting improved respite services passes in Assembly – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon welcomes the Assembly's passage of a party motion urging the health minister to swiftly produce a plan to expand respite care for adults and children with learning disabilities and their carers.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Assembly motion on respite services for learning disability carers Original release: Sinn Féin motion supporting improved respite services passes in Assembly – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister welcomes Language Launchpad
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces the launch of Language Launchpad, a project funded under the £25m Early Learning and Childcare package to support speech, language and communication development in early years, running until March 2025.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Language Launchpad early years speech and language project launch Original release: Education Minister welcomes Language Launchpad (opens in a new tab)
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Minister applauds the history, heritage and hard work that gained…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons attends a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania celebration marking the UNESCO transnational World Heritage designation of four Moravian Church settlements, including Gracehill in Co Antrim.
Other International affairs Issue: UNESCO World Heritage designation of Moravian Church settlements including Gracehill Original release: Minister applauds the history, heritage and hard work that gained… (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson – politics is about community, service and delivery
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP tells DUP councillors the party is about community, service and delivery, citing a childcare scheme that he says cut bills by 15% and saved working parents almost £1 million. He also attacks Sinn Féin over the handling of the Michael McMonagle safeguarding case and…
Other Issue: Michael McMonagle safeguarding case handling by Sinn Féin Original release: Robinson – politics is about community, service and delivery (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Councillor welcomes the first step at Westminster to introduce Assisted Dying in England & Wales
Green Party councillor Barry McKee welcomes the first reading of the Choice at the End of Life Bill at Westminster and urges Northern Ireland MPs to back legal change on assisted dying. He says the Stormont Executive should ensure residents are not left without choice.
Health Issue: Choice at the End of Life Bill first reading at Westminster Original release: Green Party Councillor welcomes the first step at Westminster to introduce Assisted Dying in England & Wales (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins raises concerns for Southern Trust maternity services with health minister
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says she has contacted Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and senior Department of Health officials over staffing shortages and patient safety in Southern Trust maternity services. She cites reported difficulties recruiting obstetrics and gynaecology consultants and a recent…
Health Issue: Southern Trust maternity services consultant recruitment concerns Original release: Kimmins raises concerns for Southern Trust maternity services with health minister (opens in a new tab)
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‘Fairhill Health Centre patients must have access to GP’ – Sheerin
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin urges the Department of Health to help patients of Fairhill Health Centre in Magherafelt keep access to a GP as the centre closes in two weeks, including support for GPs taking on extra patients.
Health Issue: Fairhill Health Centre Magherafelt closure Original release: ‘Fairhill Health Centre patients must have access to GP’ – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Ógra Aontú condemns recent Taliban human rights violation
Ógra Aontú condemns new Taliban "vice and virtue" laws requiring women to veil fully in public and banning women's voices outside the home. President John Bryan calls on the UN and EU to stop normalising relations with the Taliban and to hold it accountable.
Disability and equality International affairs Issue: Taliban vice and virtue laws restricting women's public voices and faces Original release: Ógra Aontú condemns recent Taliban human rights violation (opens in a new tab)
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Mulholland commends strength and resilience of rural women on International Day of Rural Women.
Alliance North Antrim MLA Sian Mulholland urges wider recognition of the difficulties rural women encounter, pointing to job insecurity, limited childcare, and poor access to healthcare and transport in North Antrim, on International Day of Rural Women.
Disability and equality Economy and employment Original release: Mulholland commends strength and resilience of rural women on International Day of Rural Women. (opens in a new tab)
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Decision to strike down proposals for charities' use of council facilities disappointing, says Skinner.
Alliance councillor Aaron Skinner says he is disappointed that DUP, TUV and Sinn Féin councillors voted down plans at Mid and East Antrim Council letting charities use council facilities free at set times. He argues the decision blocks services such as Positive Life's proposed free HIV testing…
Local government Health Issue: Mid and East Antrim Council rejects free charity use of council facilities Original release: Decision to strike down proposals for charities' use of council facilities disappointing, says Skinner. (opens in a new tab)
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Public health proposals not fit for purpose – Kimmins
Sinn Féin spokesperson for health Liz Kimmins says the Department of Health's public health consultation is not fit for purpose, citing the lack of Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessments. She says Sinn Féin does not back the Health Minister's approach to a new Public Health Bill.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Department of Health consultation on new Public Health Bill powers Original release: Public health proposals not fit for purpose – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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Joanne Bunting leads call for urgent practical action on violence…
East Belfast MLA Joanne Bunting calls for the Justice Minister to swiftly outline and implement practical measures to help people escape abusive relationships, after four women were murdered in six weeks and a further death in Donaghadee.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Recent murders of four women in Northern Ireland Original release: Joanne Bunting leads call for urgent practical action on violence… (opens in a new tab)
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“Systematic Problem in PSNI Approach to Domestic Violence” – Peter Irvine, Aontú Belfast
Aontú's Peter Irvine, described in the release as its Belfast representative for Collin, calls for accountability from the PSNI over its handling of violence against women after the deaths of four women in six weeks, including Mary Ward. He says reports were dismissed or mishandled and points to a…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Mary Ward death and Police Ombudsman investigation into PSNI handling Original release: “Systematic Problem in PSNI Approach to Domestic Violence” – Peter Irvine, Aontú Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Minister launches Pre-school Toolkit for Diversity
Education Minister Paul Givan has launched an online resource for pre-school providers to support newcomer children and families in Northern Ireland, built by the Education Authority's intercultural service with pre-school settings.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Pre-school Toolkit for Diversity launch for newcomer children Original release: Minister launches Pre-school Toolkit for Diversity (opens in a new tab)