Latest releases
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2,984 releases
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McMurray alarmed by NI Water discharging waste along NI’s coast
Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andrew McMurray MLA expresses alarm at NI Water discharging large volumes of untreated sewage into coastal bathing waters, citing high E. coli levels near Newcastle, and calls on the Infrastructure Minister to present a plan to upgrade wastewater systems.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: NI Water coastal sewage discharges near bathing sites Original release: McMurray alarmed by NI Water discharging waste along NI’s coast (opens in a new tab)
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MIPIM conference "Belfast is not for sale" - Cllr Groogan
Green Party Cllr Aine Groogan says the Green proposal that Belfast City Council not send a delegation to MIPIM, the Cannes real estate fair, was voted down by Sinn Féin, the DUP, Alliance, UUP and TUV. She criticises attending the event and calls for the money to be spent on housing instead.
Housing Local government Issue: Belfast City Council MIPIM delegation vote Original release: MIPIM conference "Belfast is not for sale" - Cllr Groogan (opens in a new tab)
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‘Plan needed to tackle unacceptably long waiting times’ – Kimmins
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins calls for the health minister to set out a plan to tackle unacceptably long waiting times, reacting to the latest waiting times figures released by the Department of Health. She also calls on the British government to properly fund the Executive.
Health Issue: Department of Health latest waiting times figures release Original release: ‘Plan needed to tackle unacceptably long waiting times’ – Kimmins (opens in a new tab)
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McAuley hails Charlotte Street progress
TUV Ballymoney councillor Jonathan McAuley welcomes confirmation that Charlotte Street in Ballymoney will be resurfaced and its kerbs and footpaths relaid, after the public realm scheme in the town centre, expected before Christmas or early 2025. He says the street's potholes are unacceptable and…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Charlotte Street Ballymoney resurfacing and footpath relaying confirmed Original release: McAuley hails Charlotte Street progress (opens in a new tab)
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Leadership and transformation key to tackling shocking health waiting times, says McAllister.
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister calls for strong political leadership and transformation to tackle health waiting times, responding to Department of Health figures showing outpatient waits in the Northern, Southern and Western Trusts rose nearly 10% in a year. She urges the Health…
Health Issue: Department of Health latest waiting times figures release Original release: Leadership and transformation key to tackling shocking health waiting times, says McAllister. (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Stormont Failing Statutory Responsibility Of ‘Ensuring Availability Of Good Quality And Affordable Housing’
People Before Profit's Cllr Shaun Harkin says Stormont is failing its statutory duty to ensure good quality, affordable housing, and urges a response to the EQIA consultation on the DfC's 2024/25 budget. He calls for a mass social and affordable housing build, rental cost regulation and an end to…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: 2024/25 Department for Communities budget consultation Original release: Harkin: Stormont Failing Statutory Responsibility Of ‘Ensuring Availability Of Good Quality And Affordable Housing’ (opens in a new tab)
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Clarity demanded from Alliance on puberty blockers
TUV vice chairman Allister Kyle calls on the Alliance Party to state its position on the medical advice regarding puberty blockers for children. He cites the Alliance Lord Mayor of Belfast attending a protest against the ban and asks whether leader Naomi Long supports the claim that the Executive…
Health Issue: Puberty blockers ban protest in Belfast and Alliance position Original release: Clarity demanded from Alliance on puberty blockers (opens in a new tab)
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Allen Writes to PM Following Winter Fuel Payment Regulation Announcement
UUP MLA and Communities Spokesperson Andy Allen MBE says he has written to the Prime Minister urging a review of Pension Credit eligibility criteria, arguing the Winter Fuel Payment changes for England and Wales put pressure on the Northern Ireland Executive's budget. He calls on the Department…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Issue: Winter Fuel Payment Regulations for England and Wales Original release: Allen Writes to PM Following Winter Fuel Payment Regulation Announcement (opens in a new tab)
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We want the best medical support for children and young people who need trans healthcare – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill says children and young people needing trans healthcare should receive the best possible medical support, backing a temporary three-month suspension of puberty blockers on Chief Medical Officer advice pending review. She stresses that clinical decisions must rest on…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Three-month suspension of puberty blockers for trans young people Original release: We want the best medical support for children and young people who need trans healthcare – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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People in crisis deserve appropriate mental health care – Mark Ward TD
Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward calls for 24/7 community crisis services, such as crisis cafés, de‑escalation teams with mental‑health professionals and paramedics, liaison psychiatrists in every emergency department and new funding for the National Clinical Programme for Suicide Intervention, after the roll
Health Issue: Sinn Féin Mental Health Action Plan launch Original release: People in crisis deserve appropriate mental health care – Mark Ward TD (opens in a new tab)
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Extension of puberty blocker ban a sensible decision: Dodds
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds welcomes the extension of the puberty blocker ban to Northern Ireland, arguing it reflects expert medical advice and cautious international reviews. She says it also prevents the province being used as a route to obtain the drugs.
Health Issue: Extension of puberty blocker ban to Northern Ireland Original release: Extension of puberty blocker ban a sensible decision: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Call for clarity on future of Causeway Hospital
DUP MP Gregory Campbell calls on the Northern Health Trust to specify which additional services will move to Causeway Hospital, following a consultation on moving emergency general surgery to Antrim Hospital. He says the Trust must show tangible service growth at Causeway.
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency general surgery consultation Antrim consolidation Original release: Call for clarity on future of Causeway Hospital (opens in a new tab)
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"The people who can’t bring forward a PFG come together to actively make things worse for trans people" - Ash Jones
Green Party NI representative Ash Jones criticises the Executive's decision to extend a temporary ban on puberty blockers to Northern Ireland, announced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, calling it a betrayal of trans people and their families.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Extension of puberty blocker ban to Northern Ireland Original release: "The people who can’t bring forward a PFG come together to actively make things worse for trans people" - Ash Jones (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly welcomes resolution on senior doctors’ pay dispute.
Alliance spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA welcomes the resolution of the senior doctors' pay dispute after BMA members voted to accept a 5.26% average uplift backdated to March 2024. He urges the Health Minister and Department to keep engaging with the BMA on ongoing junior doctor and specialist…
Health Economy and employment Issue: BMA senior doctors accept 5.26% pay uplift resolution Original release: Donnelly welcomes resolution on senior doctors’ pay dispute. (opens in a new tab)
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Cameron welcomes appointment of Independent Autism Reviewer
DUP MLA Pam Cameron welcomes the appointment of Ema Cubitt as Independent Autism Reviewer, taking up post in September, saying the role follows from her Private Members' Bill and will provide independent scrutiny of autism services.
Disability and equality Health Issue: Appointment of Independent Autism Reviewer Ema Cubitt Original release: Cameron welcomes appointment of Independent Autism Reviewer (opens in a new tab)
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Cancer claim another stark reminder of state of health service, says McAllister and Eastwood
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says a claim that Northern Ireland is 'bottom of the league' on tackling cancer is another stark reminder of health service problems. She calls for an updated cancer strategy to be published and implemented, and says Alliance will hold the Health…
Health Issue: Queen's University claim that Northern Ireland is bottom of the league on cancer Original release: Cancer claim another stark reminder of state of health service, says McAllister and Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn presses Health Minister for improved addiction and mental health support
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn says she joined families bereaved by drug deaths and the People's Kitchen in meeting Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to press for better addiction and mental health support. She reports that the Jack's Promise campaign group urged a wrap-around rehabilitation unit for…
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt meeting on addiction and mental health support Original release: Flynn presses Health Minister for improved addiction and mental health support (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds – “Time for Answers on Hospital Delay”
DUP Health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA asks who will be held accountable for the Maternity and Children's Hospital being about ten years overdue, citing Health Minister material that puts the Children's Hospital opening at 2030 at the earliest. She asks what lessons the Belfast Trust and…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Maternity and Children's Hospital delay confirmed by Health Minister Original release: Dodds – “Time for Answers on Hospital Delay” (opens in a new tab)
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Eye watering cost of interpreters to health service in Northern Ireland
TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston says NHS spending on interpreters has reached over £18 million in five years, with £4,425,608 in 2023/24, and questions whether it can be sustained. He cites a letter to the Health Minister and says the Department does not hold data on missed appointments.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: NHS interpreter costs figures released in response to Health Minister letter Original release: Eye watering cost of interpreters to health service in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Dodds – “answers needed on hospital delay”
DUP Health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says the £184 million flagship Maternity and Children’s Hospital project is a decade behind schedule, with the Children’s Hospital not expected before 2030, and demands answers and accountability for the delays and costs.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Maternity and Children's Hospital delay confirmed by Health Minister Original release: Dodds – “answers needed on hospital delay” (opens in a new tab)