Latest releases
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3,212 releases
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O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt shows the Executive lacks a serious approach to government, and calls it an insult to healthcare workers and patients. He links it to the failure to agree a Budget and to internal party disputes.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Leadership means more than making speeches: Bradley
DUP East Londonderry MLA Maurice Bradley says the UUP must show its opposition to ending emergency surgery at Causeway Hospital is more than rhetoric. He challenges UUP leader Jon Burrows to use his leadership influence, and asks why the UUP health minister remains in post if Burrows lacks…
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital emergency surgery removal UUP leader comments Original release: Leadership means more than making speeches: Bradley (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 18 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA welcomes HSC Chief Executives' plans to speed up cutting agency staffing in the health service. He calls on the Health Minister and Executive to sustain the progress and plan permanent workforce recruitment and retention to avoid a return to…
Health Economy and employment Issue: HSC Chief Executives plan to accelerate reduction of agency staffing Original release: McGrath: Workforce planning key to ending agency reliance in the health service for good (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Egan condemns racist graffiti in Holywood
Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan condemns racist graffiti found in the Seapark area of Holywood, saying there is no place for hatred or racism in the community. She says Alliance will engage with police to have the graffiti removed and those responsible held to account.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist graffiti found in Seapark area of Holywood Original release: Egan condemns racist graffiti in Holywood (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Causeway Hospital needs words translated into action: Bradley
DUP MLA Maurice Bradley calls on the Health Minister to end uncertainty over Causeway Hospital and respond positively to the message from an open meeting in Coleraine Town Hall. He says the Trust has sought to remove services and that words must now become action.
Health Issue: Causeway Hospital open meeting in Coleraine Town Hall Original release: Causeway Hospital needs words translated into action: Bradley (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Fein hypocrisy on victims’ payments is breathtaking – Brett
DUP MLA Phillip Brett says Sinn Fein is hypocritical for urging the Secretary of State to reopen the closed claims process for the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, a programme the DUP helped create for innocent victims.
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Sinn Fein request to reopen Troubles Disablement Payment scheme Original release: Sinn Fein hypocrisy on victims’ payments is breathtaking – Brett (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 23 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Ní Chuilín urges British Secretary of State to reconsider closing applications to Troubles Permanent Disability Payment Scheme
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín says she is disappointed by the British government's plan to end applications to the Troubles permanent disability scheme at the close of August. She has written to the Secretary of State asking him to reconsider, arguing the deadline leaves many applicants at a…
Community relations and legacy Disability and equality Issue: Sinn Fein request to reopen Troubles Disablement Payment scheme Original release: Ní Chuilín urges British Secretary of State to reconsider closing applications to Troubles Permanent Disability Payment Scheme (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Will activist groups distance themselves from ‘coloniser’ comments
DUP MLA David Brooks challenges Irish language campaign groups, including Conradh na Gaeilge, to say whether they agree that erecting bilingual signs is "decolonisation" and who the colonisers are, after an activist's remarks at a Féile an Phobail concert.
Disability and equality Issue: Féile an Phobail concert remarks on bilingual signs as decolonisation Original release: Will activist groups distance themselves from ‘coloniser’ comments (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps
Alliance representatives across Belfast call on Belfast City Council, the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities and Translink to commission a comprehensive review of city centre pedestrianisation, building on the Fleadh Cheoil. South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl says…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Fleadh Cheoil pedestrianisation of Belfast city centre review call Original release: Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps (opens in a new tab)
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Carroll Demands Recognition Payment for Fleadh Workers
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll calls for a gratitude payment for workers who kept the Fleadh running, including bar, retail, council and Translink staff. He argues the week showed transport changes and pedestrianisation were possible, and says the city needs multi-year cultural investment…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Belfast Fleadh 2026 workers recognition payment Original release: Carroll Demands Recognition Payment for Fleadh Workers (opens in a new tab)
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Ulster Unionist Party position on puberty blockers "remains firmly unchanged"
Ulster Unionist Party reiterates its opposition to prescribing puberty blockers to anyone under 18 and to any future involvement in the planned clinical trial, citing weak evidence and unknown long‑term risks, and welcomes the 2024 ban introduced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland suspension of puberty blocker trial participation Original release: Ulster Unionist Party position on puberty blockers "remains firmly unchanged" (opens in a new tab)
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Clarity and leadership needed on puberty blockers trial: Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says children from Northern Ireland should not be included in a Kings College London puberty blocker trial and calls on the Health Minister to state his position after nearly six months of delayed Assembly question answers. She also asks whether the UUP, led by Mike Nesbitt…
Health Issue: Kings College London puberty blocker trial and Northern Ireland participation Original release: Clarity and leadership needed on puberty blockers trial: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Green councillor Anthony Flynn pledges clean water and better transport in North Down Assembly bid
Green Party NI announces Councillor Anthony Flynn as its North Down candidate for the 2027 Assembly election, pledging action on water quality, public transport, town centres, health waiting lists, animal welfare and Stormont reform.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Original release: Green councillor Anthony Flynn pledges clean water and better transport in North Down Assembly bid (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 30 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DAERA Minister Concedes Mobuoy Superdump Health Impact Assessment
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says DAERA Minister Andrew Muir agreed to support a health impact assessment for residents near the Mobuoy superdump, but concerns over remediation timetable, strategy and funding remain. Harkin says he will follow up with the Minister and officials.
Environment and climate Local government Issue: Mobuoy superdump health impact assessment agreed by DAERA Minister Original release: DAERA Minister Concedes Mobuoy Superdump Health Impact Assessment (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: If nobody qualifies, what is Continuing Healthcare actually for?
SDLP MLA Colin McGrath says Assembly Question figures show no applicant across five years of Continuing Healthcare assessments in Health and Social Care Trusts was found eligible for funding. He asks the Department of Health to explain why the scheme appears inaccessible and what action it will…
Health Issue: Continuing Healthcare zero eligibility figures from Assembly Question Original release: McGrath: If nobody qualifies, what is Continuing Healthcare actually for? (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives condemn racially motivated vandalism of homes in Holywood
Alliance North Down’s MLA Andrew Muir and Alderman Martin McRandal condemned two hate‑crime attacks on homes in Holywood’s Church Green and Church Road, urging anyone with information to contact the PSNI and stressing the community’s inclusive values.
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racist vandalism of homes in Holywood Original release: Alliance representatives condemn racially motivated vandalism of homes in Holywood (opens in a new tab)
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Ambassadors’ briefing highlights extent of current the crisis in Cuba – Kearney
Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA says the US blockade and an oil import ban have worsened a humanitarian crisis in Cuba, with electricity cut to around four hours daily, and calls on the US to end the blockade and engage in dialogue.
International affairs Health Original release: Ambassadors’ briefing highlights extent of current the crisis in Cuba – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows calls for tougher laws and sentencing powers in care abuse cases
UUP Leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows calls for tougher laws, a review of the maximum sentence and a power for the DPP to refer such cases to the Court of Appeal, after the non-custodial sentence in the Corvan care abuse case.
Justice and policing Health Issue: Ciara Corvan care abuse sentence and DPP Court of Appeal referral limits Original release: Burrows calls for tougher laws and sentencing powers in care abuse cases (opens in a new tab)
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Minister admits he cannot give ‘absolute assurance’ men won’t get female screening invites
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston says he is deeply concerned after Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he cannot guarantee men will not receive invitations for female-specific screening. Gaston calls for screening to be administered by biological sex and asks how many males have been invited.
Health Issue: Health Minister Nesbitt admits no assurance on male screening invitations Original release: Minister admits he cannot give ‘absolute assurance’ men won’t get female screening invites (opens in a new tab)
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Allister Calls for Local Training of Dental Hygienists to Tackle Workforce Shortages
TUV MP Jim Allister KC calls on Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to address the lack of any local university course for dental hygienists and therapists, after writing to him over workforce shortages. He asks whether the Department has assessed demand and is considering commissioning a local degree.
Health Education Issue: Lack of local dental hygienist and therapist training in Northern Ireland Original release: Allister Calls for Local Training of Dental Hygienists to Tackle Workforce Shortages (opens in a new tab)