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4,952 releases
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Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler
Ulster Unionist spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says farmers must not bear the cost of climate action, calling for codesigned measures after recent changes to create a Climate Commissioner office raised concerns. He says the changes should not pit environmental goals against agriculture.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: Farmers must not pay the price for addressing environmental challenges in securing a sustainable future – Butler (opens in a new tab)
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First and deputy First Minister must speed up work on legislative backlog, says Bradshaw
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw urges the First and deputy First Minister to speed up clearing the legislative backlog after the Executive Office confirmed fewer than half of the 2024 Legislative Programme Bills have been introduced. She says the Department of Health has produced little…
Constitutional affairs Health Issue: Executive Office confirmation on 2024 Legislative Programme Bills introduced Original release: First and deputy First Minister must speed up work on legislative backlog, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Blue-green algae at Martray Lough dismaying, says Roofe
Alliance's Cllr Eddie Roofe expresses dismay at blue-green algae found at Martray Lough near Ballygawley. He urges other parties to back DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's water quality measures, including action on NI Water and farm nutrient runoff, and accuses some councillors and MLAs of opposing them.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Blue-green algae appearance at Martray Lough near Ballygawley Original release: Blue-green algae at Martray Lough dismaying, says Roofe (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Executive sham fights can’t mask shambolic legislative record
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive's update on its legislative programme admits little over half the legislation has been introduced, and accuses it of using sham fights and culture wars to distract from delivery failures.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive Office confirmation on 2024 Legislative Programme Bills introduced Original release: O’Toole: Executive sham fights can’t mask shambolic legislative record (opens in a new tab)
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Loss of core funding for Northlands has caused shock and worry – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson urges the Health Minister to consider support for the Northlands Addiction Treatment Centre in Derry after losing core Department of Health funding. A delegation including Padraig Delargy MLA will meet staff.
Health Issue: Northlands Addiction Treatment Centre loss of core funding Original release: Loss of core funding for Northlands has caused shock and worry – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
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UCD ‘Constitutional Futures’ Conference demonstrates appetite to discuss change – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Rose Conway-Walsh TD commends UCD and Dr Paul Gillespie for a constitutional futures conference, and calls on the Irish government to widen its role in the constitutional debate and set up a citizens' assembly and a referendum on Ireland's future.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: UCD 'Constitutional Futures' conference on Ireland, Britain and Europe after Brexit Original release: UCD ‘Constitutional Futures’ Conference demonstrates appetite to discuss change – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath welcomes move to reinstate cross-border healthcare scheme
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes Health Minister Mike Nesbitt's commitment to reinstate the cross-border healthcare scheme closed in 2022. He calls for any new scheme to remove upfront payment and for a fund giving access based on need, not ability to pay.
Health Issue: Health Minister commits to reinstating Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Original release: McGrath welcomes move to reinstate cross-border healthcare scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin welcomes approval of Climate Commissioner for Northern Ireland
SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA welcomes the Assembly's approval of draft regulations establishing a Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner. She says the independent office is long overdue and calls for faster, joined-up action on climate change and net zero.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: McLaughlin welcomes approval of Climate Commissioner for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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Black Mountain fire threatens wildlife and natural habitat – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly expresses shock at a fire burning on Black Mountain in west Belfast, warning it threatens wildlife and natural habitat. She urges the public to give fire crews room and calls for anyone with information on a deliberate start to come forward.
Environment and climate Issue: Black Mountain fire in west Belfast Original release: Black Mountain fire threatens wildlife and natural habitat – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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EU should support the transition to Irish unity – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA, speaking at a party event in the European Parliament, urges EU institutions to get directly involved in managing the transition to Irish unity and says Europe can support a peaceful, democratic route to it. He also calls on the Irish government to…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Commission on the Future of Ireland event in European Parliament Original release: EU should support the transition to Irish unity – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Flynn welcomes intention to reinstate Cross-Border Healthcare Directive
Sinn Féin MLA Órlaithí Flynn welcomes the Health Minister's pledge to bring back the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive urgently, and says a forthcoming options paper will go to the Health Committee. She argues the scheme previously helped patients on long waiting lists access knee and hip…
Health Issue: Health Minister commits to reinstating Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Original release: Flynn welcomes intention to reinstate Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (opens in a new tab)
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Implementation plan and comprehensive strategy now needed for heart health and cardiac services – David Cullinane TD
Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane TD welcomes the new review of adult specialist cardiac services and says the next step must be an implementation plan plus a full heart‑health strategy covering prevention, community, hospital care and rehabilitation. He urges the HSE to resource 24/7 em
Health Issue: Publication of adult specialist cardiac services review Original release: Implementation plan and comprehensive strategy now needed for heart health and cardiac services – David Cullinane TD (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes passing of Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes the Assembly's passing of the Second Stage of the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill, which will now move to Committee Stage. She backs making pandemic-era electronic registration permanent and creating a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme.
Health Issue: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage passed Original release: Dolan welcomes passing of Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage (opens in a new tab)
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Greens welcome vote to create Climate Commissioner role
Green Party NI Leader Mal O'Hara welcomes the Assembly's vote to establish a Climate Commissioner, which he says would scrutinise the Executive's environmental record, and criticises the five Executive parties' approach to Lough Neagh and environmental protection.
Environment and climate Issue: Assembly vote to create a Climate Commissioner role Original release: Greens welcome vote to create Climate Commissioner role (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme should be free and open-ended
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan welcomes Assembly progress on the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill and calls for a baby loss certificate scheme that is costless to use and open to requests for losses at any date. He says the Finance Minister has indicated cost and eligibility will depend on…
Health Issue: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Second Stage passed Original release: Durkan: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme should be free and open-ended (opens in a new tab)
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Mourne Fire Prevention Plan must be priority for DAERA – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard calls on DAERA Minister Andrew Muir to urgently deliver a long-delayed Mourne Fire Prevention Plan after recent fires, and asks for an immediate review of the legal controlled-burning period.
Environment and climate Issue: Mourne fires and delayed Mourne Fire Prevention Plan Original release: Mourne Fire Prevention Plan must be priority for DAERA – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Greater care needed to end Mournes fires
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath urges people to take more care around the Mournes to stop repeated fires, warning that blazes of this scale threaten homes, health and the environment. He calls for severe punishments for those responsible and for anyone with information to contact police.
Environment and climate Issue: Mourne Mountains wildfires started deliberately Original release: McGrath: Greater care needed to end Mournes fires (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Executive parties gaslighting public on health funding
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says Executive parties are gaslighting the public over funding to clear health waiting lists, after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the budget contained no £215m additional investment for them.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: McGrath: Executive parties gaslighting public on health funding (opens in a new tab)
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Those behind Mournes fires must be held to account – Hazzard
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard condemns those responsible for deliberately starting wildfires in the Mournes, thanks firefighters, and calls for a thorough probe into causes and impacts plus accountability for those responsible.
Environment and climate Justice and policing Issue: Mourne Mountains wildfires started deliberately Original release: Those behind Mournes fires must be held to account – Hazzard (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance Representatives express concerns following Mourne Mountains Fires
Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray and Councillor Jill Truesdale express concern over gorse fires spreading across the Mourne Mountains, blaming deliberate fire lighting. They urge people to follow NIFRS evacuation advice, be vigilant with fires and report displaced ponies.
Environment and climate Issue: Mourne Mountains wildfires started deliberately Original release: Alliance Representatives express concerns following Mourne Mountains Fires (opens in a new tab)