Latest releases
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4,970 releases
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Respite provision failing families in need – Dodds
DUP MLA Diane Dodds says health trusts across Northern Ireland lack a clear pathway for respite care, with over 800 unallocated cases and 500 in the South Eastern Trust. She calls for urgent action to cut waiting lists and deliver the respite beds promised by the £13 million investment.
Health Disability and equality Issue: BBC Spotlight ‘I am not OK’ documentary on respite care Original release: Respite provision failing families in need – Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Don’t Let the Government Pull the Wool over your Eyes with talk of the ‘UK Internal Market System’ – It is really ‘the Windsor Framework GB – EU/NI International Trade Border System.’
TUV's Dan Boucher says the term 'UK Internal Market System' misrepresents the Windsor Framework, arguing the Green Lane still involves customs and SPS border checks. His party's written evidence to a Westminster committee inquiry on the framework says the label is misleading and calls for honesty…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Windsor Framework inquiry evidence on UK Internal Market System terminology Original release: Don’t Let the Government Pull the Wool over your Eyes with talk of the ‘UK Internal Market System’ – It is really ‘the Windsor Framework GB – EU/NI International Trade Border System.’ (opens in a new tab)
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Long welcomes planned delivery of green bus stop roofs scheme
Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Michael Long welcomes plans to fit green roofs on bus stop shelters in East Belfast, following installations on the Shankill Road, with further stops on the Castlereagh, Cregagh and Holywood roads due next year.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink green bus stop roofs scheme East Belfast Original release: Long welcomes planned delivery of green bus stop roofs scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Harvey welcomes Ballynahinch bypass progress
DUP Strangford MLA Harry Harvey welcomes DfI's approval for the Ballynahinch Bypass to move to finalising its business case and procurement, with procurement expected in about two years. He says the timetable must be maintained and that Ballynahinch cannot afford further delays.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ballynahinch Bypass business case and procurement approval by DfI Original release: Harvey welcomes Ballynahinch bypass progress (opens in a new tab)
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EU retaliation to tariffs drives home how Northern Ireland has been cut off from the rest of our own country
North Antrim TUV MP Jim Allister says EU retaliatory tariffs against US steel and aluminium duties would leave Northern Ireland businesses on EU tariff rules, adding inflation pressure. He calls on the UK Government to scrap the Irish Sea border and seek a US trade deal.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: EU retaliatory tariffs response to US steel and aluminium tariffs Original release: EU retaliation to tariffs drives home how Northern Ireland has been cut off from the rest of our own country (opens in a new tab)
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Hazzard welcomes progress on A24 Ballynahinch Bypass Scheme
Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard welcomes the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement that the A24 Ballynahinch Bypass Scheme will move to the business case and procurement stage, with procurement expected in 2027/28. He says the bypass will ease town traffic, improve safety and cut journey…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ballynahinch Bypass business case and procurement approval by DfI Original release: Hazzard welcomes progress on A24 Ballynahinch Bypass Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Ballynahinch Bypass could have been delivered sooner, says Alliance representatives
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison welcomes the Infrastructure Minister's decision to progress and prioritise the Ballynahinch Bypass, but says it has been side-lined for too long due to stop-start government and calls for institutional reform. Colleague Kellie Armstrong pledges to hold the Minister to…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Ballynahinch Bypass business case and procurement approval by DfI Original release: Ballynahinch Bypass could have been delivered sooner, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Panel for Bhaile Ghib People’s Assembly announced – Darren O’Rourke TD
Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke announced the independent chairperson and panel for the People’s Assembly at Halla Bhaile Ghib on 14 March, urging the public to attend and discuss future constitutional arrangements, language rights and an all‑island economy.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Bhaile Ghib People’s Assembly panel announcement Original release: Panel for Bhaile Ghib People’s Assembly announced – Darren O’Rourke TD (opens in a new tab)
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Pan-UK approach to tackle drugs needed : Campbell
DUP MP Gregory Campbell urges the UK Government to work with devolved administrations on a joined-up, pan-UK drugs strategy, prioritising prevention and reviewing enforcement, after raising the issue at Justice Questions in the Commons.
Justice and policing Health Original release: Pan-UK approach to tackle drugs needed : Campbell (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan concerned by Ambulance Handover waiting times
Sinn Féin Health Committee Chair Phillip McGuigan, North Antrim MLA, expresses concern at an Audit Office report on ambulance handovers, calling on the Health Department to act on its recommendations and review ambulance workforce and hospital and social care capacity.
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: McGuigan concerned by Ambulance Handover waiting times (opens in a new tab)
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End the self-sabotage of our Health Service: Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds, MLA for Upper Bann, calls the Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays devastating and urges an end to what she calls self-sabotage in the health system. She says she has pressed the Health Minister for months to name a senior lead with a dedicated team…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: End the self-sabotage of our Health Service: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
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Patients will continue to suffer without action to fix crisis in ambulance service, says Donnelly
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA says the Department of Health must take definitive action on the ambulance service crisis, citing an NIAO review that found handover delays cost NIAS £50 million and could have harmed over 3,800 patients. He criticises repeated DoH strategies that…
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: Patients will continue to suffer without action to fix crisis in ambulance service, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Audit Office report underlines ambulances crisis
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says an Audit Office report showing a dramatic rise in ambulance handover times – over 11,000 took more than three hours in 2023/24 – highlights a crisis and calls for fundamental change, welcoming the Health Minister’s willingness to discuss the
Health Issue: Northern Ireland Audit Office report on ambulance handover delays Original release: McGrath: Audit Office report underlines ambulances crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Action, not words, needed on civil service reform - Forsythe
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe, vice-chair of the Finance Committee, says the UK Government's call for civil service reform is welcome but must lead to real change. She links NICS skills gaps to delayed infrastructure projects and overspends, and urges use of the skills exchange with the UK Home Civil…
Public finance and taxation Infrastructure and transport Issue: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster civil service reform call Original release: Action, not words, needed on civil service reform - Forsythe (opens in a new tab)
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Overdue Public Appointments Commissioner must see all public appointments properly regulated, says Alliance representatives
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA and Stewart Dickson MLA welcome the advert for a Public Appointments Commissioner but say it is long overdue. They warn that other public appointments the Department plans to make will proceed without regulation.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Public Appointments Commissioner recruitment advertisement Original release: Overdue Public Appointments Commissioner must see all public appointments properly regulated, says Alliance representatives (opens in a new tab)
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Amplification of women’s voices crucial in constitutional discussion – Rose Conway-Walsh TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson Rose Conway-Walsh TD says a feminist analysis is crucial to the constitutional debate, welcoming the National Women's Council's Women's Assembly report and urging the Irish government to begin planning a referendum on Irish Unity.
Constitutional affairs Disability and equality Issue: National Women's Council Women's Assembly report launch Original release: Amplification of women’s voices crucial in constitutional discussion – Rose Conway-Walsh TD (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP launches plan to reduce pressure on ambulance service and emergency departments
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA launches 'Help Can't Wait', a plan to ease ambulance and emergency department pressure by adopting London's W45 45-minute patient handover policy, which he says could cut handover times by 50% and free up 60,000 operational hours.
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Transparency and accountability needed on hospital building projects
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds calls for an independent review of new Belfast Trust building projects after rot and black mould were discovered in the Acute Mental Inpatient centre, urging the Minister to provide details on repairs, costs, timelines and patient impact.
Health Issue: Rot and black mould found in Belfast Trust Acute Mental Inpatient centre Original release: Transparency and accountability needed on hospital building projects (opens in a new tab)
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‘Extension will help motorists stay on the road legally’ – Boylan
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's decision to extend Temporary Exemption Certificates for a further year, saying the scheme has helped cut MOT waiting times to 30 days. He also points to extra staff recruitment and Sunday and bank holiday testing.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Extension of MOT Temporary Exemption Certificates for a further year Original release: ‘Extension will help motorists stay on the road legally’ – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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DUP delivering on yet another Republican demand
TUV vice chairman Causeway Councillor Allister Kyle says the Executive Office's start of recruitment for an Irish language commissioner gives Sinn Féin a route to directions over the role, and contrasts it with a weaker Ulster Scots commissioner, which he says the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly…
Disability and equality Constitutional affairs Issue: Irish Language Commissioner application process opening announcement Original release: DUP delivering on yet another Republican demand (opens in a new tab)