Latest releases
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3,094 releases
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Neglect and underfunding of water infrastructure is impacting economic growth, house building and our environment, says McMurray
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew McMurray MLA says chronic underfunding of NI's water and wastewater infrastructure is harming health, growth, housing and the environment, and launches the In Deep Water policy paper with proposed alternative funding and governance for NI Water.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Alliance 'In Deep Water' water infrastructure policy paper launch Original release: Neglect and underfunding of water infrastructure is impacting economic growth, house building and our environment, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister welcomes announcement from Health Minister outlining plans to improve services for children with disabilities, stating it shouldn’t have taken this long.
Alliance Health spokesperson and North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes the Health Minister's plan to invest in children's disability services, including more short breaks and community family and behavioural supports. She says the funding is long overdue and asks for clarity on multi-use…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: McAllister welcomes announcement from Health Minister outlining plans to improve services for children with disabilities, stating it shouldn’t have taken this long. (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes funding to support respite for children with disabilities
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath welcomes £13m multi-year funding from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to increase short break respite for children with disabilities. He says he will seek urgent clarity on the impact on other health services.
Health Disability and equality Issue: Additional investment in services for children with disabilities Original release: McGrath welcomes funding to support respite for children with disabilities (opens in a new tab)
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‘Time for action to cut vaping in schools’ – Mason
Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason welcomes an Assembly motion urging the education and health ministers to draw up a plan against vaping among pupils, citing principals asking for help and harm to young people.
Education Health Issue: Assembly motion on tackling vaping in schools Original release: ‘Time for action to cut vaping in schools’ – Mason (opens in a new tab)
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Action must be taken on Daisy Hill and Craigavon maternity units:…
DUP Health Spokesperson and Upper Bann MLA Diane Dodds welcomes the Department of Health's independent review of midwifery services, but presses the Health Minister to ensure Daisy Hill and Craigavon maternity units are fully staffed and can operate effectively, and questions Southern Trust…
Health Issue: Independent review of midwifery services and Daisy Hill maternity staffing Original release: Action must be taken on Daisy Hill and Craigavon maternity units:… (opens in a new tab)
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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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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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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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Road maintenance funding cliff-edge threat could put lives at risk – Stewart
UUP MLA John Stewart, Deputy Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, warns road maintenance funding could be exhausted by November, putting lives at risk through dangerous surfaces. He calls on the Executive to direct available money in the next monitoring round to essential road maintenance.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Road maintenance funding exhaustion warning from Northern Ireland Mineral Products Association briefing Original release: Road maintenance funding cliff-edge threat could put lives at risk – Stewart (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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Gaston highlights lack of Unionist support to put the brakes on Irish signage
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says only his own signature is on a petition, lodged days earlier, to refer Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd's decision on bilingual road signs in west Belfast to the Executive. He criticises unionist MLAs for not backing it and calls for others to sign.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Infrastructure Minister O'Dowd bilingual road signs decision in west Belfast Original release: Gaston highlights lack of Unionist support to put the brakes on Irish signage (opens in a new tab)
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OEP report "another damning indictment of the Stormont Executive" - Cllr Smyth
Green Party Councillor for Lisnasharragh Brian Smyth says the new Office for Environmental Protection biodiversity report condemns the Stormont Executive, warning that current agri‑industry practices are unsustainable, polluting land, rivers and air, and urging urgent nutrient cuts, habitat recovery
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Office for Environmental Protection biodiversity report Original release: OEP report "another damning indictment of the Stormont Executive" - Cllr Smyth (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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Boylan welcomes plans to assist Tandragee 100
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd's plan to resurface a stretch of the A51 later this year to support next year's Tandragee 100 Road Race. Boylan says he had pressed the department for the works for some time.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Minister O'Dowd's A51 resurfacing plan for Tandragee 100 Original release: Boylan welcomes plans to assist Tandragee 100 (opens in a new tab)