Latest releases
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3,492 releases
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Gildernew expresses thoughts with family affected by Dungannon house fire
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew expresses sympathy for those affected by a house fire in Dungannon the previous night. He commends frontline responders for evacuating all residents and pays tribute to police officers who entered the burning home to rescue people.
Other Issue: Dungannon house fire evacuation of residents Original release: Gildernew expresses thoughts with family affected by Dungannon house fire (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionists pay tribute to former Councillor Jim Montgomery
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, South Antrim MP Robin Swann and South Antrim MLA Steve Aiken pay tribute to Jim Montgomery, a former local councillor and mayor, describing him as fair, selfless and a highly respected figure in Antrim. They extend condolences to his family.
Other Local government Original release: Ulster Unionists pay tribute to former Councillor Jim Montgomery (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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Sinn Féin marks one year anniversary with refreshed ministerial team – O’Neill
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill announces a refreshed ministerial team marking one year since the Executive's restoration, with Caoimhe Archibald taking the economy portfolio and John O'Dowd moving to finance from Infrastructure, replaced by Liz Kimmins.
Other Economy and employment Issue: Sinn Féin ministerial team refresh marking one year of the Executive Original release: Sinn Féin marks one year anniversary with refreshed ministerial team – O’Neill (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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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)
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Cultural shift needed to end gender-based violence, says Egan, welcoming launch of Power to Change campaign.
Alliance Justice spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the PSNI, Department of Justice and Executive Office 'Power to Change' campaign, saying society must change its culture to end gender-based violence. She says men and boys have a crucial role in challenging harmful attitudes and intervening…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI 'Power to Change' gender-based violence campaign launch Original release: Cultural shift needed to end gender-based violence, says Egan, welcoming launch of Power to Change campaign. (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Executive parties saying one thing and doing another on gambling
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Executive parties of contradicting themselves on gambling harm, citing a regulation raising betting stakes and prizes in registered clubs passed the same day as a motion on tackling gambling harm. He calls for a commitment to legislation…
Health Issue: Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 approval Original release: O’Toole: Executive parties saying one thing and doing another on gambling (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes passing of motion calling for gambling addiction services
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes a cross-party Assembly motion on a health-led approach to gambling harm and urges the health department to draw up a plan for gambling support services, integrated into mental health and suicide prevention strategies.
Health Issue: Assembly motion calling for health-led approach to gambling harm Original release: McGuigan welcomes passing of motion calling for gambling addiction services (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister levels the playing field in housing allocation
DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee welcomes the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons' decision to scrap intimidation points in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's Housing Selection Scheme, arguing victims of domestic abuse have been unfairly scored lower.
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Communities Minister levels the playing field in housing allocation (opens in a new tab)
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Removal of Housing Executive Intimidation Points will put lives at risk
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll says the Communities Minister's decision to remove Housing Executive intimidation points will put lives at risk, arguing it leaves victims of threats and sectarian, racist or homophobic attacks without priority for permanent homes. He instead calls for…
Housing Disability and equality Issue: Removal of Housing Executive intimidation points Original release: Removal of Housing Executive Intimidation Points will put lives at risk (opens in a new tab)
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Kimmins welcomes pay deal for resident doctors
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins welcomes the pay deal reached between the health department and the British Medical Association for resident doctors, calling it recognition of their work and urging joint effort on wider health service pressures.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Resident doctors pay deal with BMA welcomed by Sinn Féin Original release: Kimmins welcomes pay deal for resident doctors (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds calls for further details on tens of millions for professional…
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA calls for further details after revealing over £29 million has been paid in professional fees for the Children's Hospital before construction has begun, noting this is over three times the fees for the completed Maternity Hospital.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Children's Hospital professional fees spending figures Original release: Dodds calls for further details on tens of millions for professional… (opens in a new tab)
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Further delay to Climate Change Commissioner appointment is unacceptable, says Bradshaw.
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA calls for urgent clarity from the FM and dFM over the delay in appointing a Climate Change Commissioner, despite regulations having all-party consent and being in force. She says the dFM hinted at further legislative problems during questions on a British-Irish…
Environment and climate Issue: Climate Change Commissioner appointment delay despite approved regulations Original release: Further delay to Climate Change Commissioner appointment is unacceptable, says Bradshaw. (opens in a new tab)
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Classroom Assistants deserve proper recognition and support, says Alliance Education representatives.
Alliance MLAs Nick Mathison and Michelle Guy call on the Education Minister to set out a clear plan to support, develop and reward Classroom Assistants, following an Ulster University report into the workforce. They raise concerns about temporary recruitment and incomplete Access NI checks.
Education Economy and employment Issue: Ulster University report on Classroom Assistants in Northern Ireland Original release: Classroom Assistants deserve proper recognition and support, says Alliance Education representatives. (opens in a new tab)