Latest releases
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4,103 releases
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Allister slams delay in Ballymena GP practice scheme
TUV MP Jim Allister expresses disappointment that multi-disciplinary teams for primary care in Ballymena will not begin until 2029, while other areas get the scheme sooner, and urges decision makers to reconsider the timeline.
Health Issue: Ballymena primary care multi-disciplinary teams delayed until 2029 Original release: Allister slams delay in Ballymena GP practice scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Hughes encourages support for Sherry family cancer services petition
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes urges people to sign a petition launched by the family of Catherine Sherry, who died in 2024, seeking all-Ireland access to CAR-T cell therapy. He says the treatment is unavailable in the north until the early 2030s and that he has raised the issue with health ministers…
Health Issue: Sherry family CAR-T cell therapy cancer services petition Original release: Hughes encourages support for Sherry family cancer services petition (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach must now match words with action on Irish unity – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD welcomes Taoiseach Micheál Martin's acknowledgement that the triggering of an Irish unity referendum needs greater clarity, and calls on the Irish Government to press London for structured talks on the criteria and process. She also urges it to establish a…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach's comments on criteria for triggering an Irish unity referendum Original release: Taoiseach must now match words with action on Irish unity – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Neurology families deserve accountability and demonstrable change – McGuigan
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA says the RQIA Neurology Deceased Patients Review findings are deeply concerning and calls on the Health Minister and Department to set out action, responsibility and evidence of change across all Trusts.
Health Issue: RQIA Neurology Deceased Patients Review findings Original release: Neurology families deserve accountability and demonstrable change – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health Minister must respond urgently to rise in infant mortality rate
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA calls for an urgent Health Minister response to a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health report showing rising infant mortality in the region. He says he will write to the minister seeking a funded plan for the College's recommendations…
Health Issue: Royal College of Paediatrics State of Child Health 2026 report on infant mortality Original release: McGrath: Health Minister must respond urgently to rise in infant mortality rate (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Taoiseach’s border poll comments underline need for New Ireland planning
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes Taoiseach Micheál Martin's remarks seeking more clarity on what would trigger a Irish unity referendum, and urges both governments to intensify constitutional preparation. She says institutional reform in the North is an immediate test for the Taoiseach.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach's comments on criteria for triggering an Irish unity referendum Original release: Hanna: Taoiseach’s border poll comments underline need for New Ireland planning (opens in a new tab)
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Consent is not the Irish Government's to rewrite
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA says the Irish Government accepted the consent principle in the Belfast Agreement and that only the UK Secretary of State can set the border‑poll threshold, urging the Taoiseach to focus on practical cooperation and domestic services.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Taoiseach's comments on criteria for triggering an Irish unity referendum Original release: Consent is not the Irish Government's to rewrite (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister announces £1.25million for community cancer support
Health Minister Robbie Butler announces a £1.25million second-year Cancer Charities Grant Scheme with Macmillan Cancer Support, funding community wellbeing, rehabilitation, transport and practical support for people affected by cancer.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Health Minister announces £1.25million for community cancer support (opens in a new tab)
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Budget must put workers and families first – Mary Lou McDonald TD
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD says Budget 2027 must put workers and families first, setting out proposals to abolish USC on the first €40,000 and provide a €400 energy credit. She also calls on the Irish government to prepare for Irish unity and to put the Triple Lock dismantling plan to a…
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Original release: Budget must put workers and families first – Mary Lou McDonald TD (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Dying days of Stormont unless it is reformed
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP warns that Stormont's institutions need reform now, telling a Assembly committee that targeted changes could stabilise government and prevent another collapse, and says the SDLP will engage with the Secretary of State's proposals.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Secretary of State proposals for targeted Stormont institutional reform Original release: Hanna: Dying days of Stormont unless it is reformed (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the DUP is using renewed Drumcree controversy to divert attention from the Executive's failure to pass a Budget, as public services face uncertainty. He calls on the DUP and Executive ministers to agree a Budget and address health, waiting…
Public finance and taxation Community relations and legacy Issue: Drumcree parading dispute and Executive Budget impasse Original release: O'Toole: DUP cannot use politics of the past to distract from Executive failure (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin to discuss Stormont reform with British Secretary of State
Sinn Féin Chief Whip Sineád Ennis, South Down MLA, says no party should be able to block Executive formation, ahead of talks with Secretary of State Chris Bryant on Stormont reform when the Assembly returns from recess.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin and Secretary of State Chris Bryant talks on Stormont reform Original release: Sinn Féin to discuss Stormont reform with British Secretary of State (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows: More money must come with greater responsibility
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA urges the Assembly's final session of this mandate to focus on quality over volume, passing fewer, better Bills with proper committee scrutiny, and calls for any extra budget funding to come with wiser spending and waste reduction.
Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Original release: Burrows: More money must come with greater responsibility (opens in a new tab)
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Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises?
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says a Health Minister's review of an earlier review fails to meet UUP leader Jon Burrows' promises on change and transparency. She questions the document's authorship and asks how far Department of Health officials shaped it.
Health Issue: Health Minister's review of a previous review Original release: Does Minister’s review meet his Leader’s promises? (opens in a new tab)
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Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall!
Aontú opposes Belfast City Council's decision to light up Belfast City Hall for International Safe Abortion Day, calling it shocking use of the building. It says Sinn Féin and the SDLP councillors who backed the lighting have abandoned pro-life principles and calls for support for mothers instead.
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Hall lighting for International Safe Abortion Day Original release: Say No to Abortion Illuminations on Belfast City Hall! (opens in a new tab)
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Richmond should end his reckless agitation – Robinson
DUP Leader Rt Hon. Gavin Robinson MP condemns Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond’s demand to publish border‑poll criteria, saying Richmond should focus on Irish Government duties and that any poll decision rests with the UK Secretary of State.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Neale Richmond calls for border poll criteria publication Original release: Richmond should end his reckless agitation – Robinson (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin backs trade union strike action as a way to press the Stormont establishment for higher pay, public service funding and cost of living support. He accuses MLAs of backing a 27% pay rise for themselves and calls for all-out action demanding a change of…
Economy and employment Education Original release: Harkin: Strike Action Can Put it Up to Stormont Political Establishment (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges Tánaiste to set out plans to advance Irish unity
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP says the party met Tánaiste Simon Harris before Fine Gael's Irish unity blueprint is published, urging a shift from aspiration to concrete preparation for constitutional change and calling for an inclusive, all-island process.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Fine Gael Irish unity blueprint publication Original release: SDLP challenges Tánaiste to set out plans to advance Irish unity (opens in a new tab)
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Elliott: Windsor Framework Now Forcing Great Britain to Accept EU Rules Too
UUP peer Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard says the Windsor Framework now appears to require Great Britain to accept some EU regulations, not only Northern Ireland, during Lords debate on plant health retail movement rules. He cites a growing list of EU regulations and says businesses and the public…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Windsor Framework Retail Movement Scheme plant health amendment regulations Original release: Elliott: Windsor Framework Now Forcing Great Britain to Accept EU Rules Too (opens in a new tab)
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Border poll harassment of the Secretary of State has to stop
UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA defends the Good Friday Agreement's legal test for calling a border poll after the Prime Minister said a referendum is "not on the table". He says the test is clear, calls Sinn Féin's border poll focus a distraction from its record in government, and criticises media…
Constitutional affairs Issue: Prime Minister's statement that a border poll is not on the table Original release: Border poll harassment of the Secretary of State has to stop (opens in a new tab)