Latest releases
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3,938 releases
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Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart
DUP MP for Upper Bann Carla Lockhart, Chair of the All-Party Pro-Life Group, expresses deep concern at Northern Ireland abortion statistics showing 2,792 abortions in 2023/24, a 28.8% rise, and calls for work to repeal Westminster's abortion laws.
Health Issue: Department of Health abortion statistics for 2023/24 published Original release: Each abortion represents a life lost – Lockhart (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has published the SEN Reform Agenda and a five-year Delivery Plan, setting out short-term actions to rebuild trust with parents, build workforce capability, improve placements and support sustained funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: SEN Reform Agenda and five-year Delivery Plan publication Original release: Education Minister publishes SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must commit to supporting year-round late-night public…
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett leads an Assembly debate on the Belfast night-time economy and calls on the Minister to support Translink's business case for year-round late-night public transport, which he says could start as soon as Easter. He cites 17,000 passengers using the seasonal…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink year-round late-night public transport funding application Original release: Minister must commit to supporting year-round late-night public… (opens in a new tab)
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Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters
Alliance MLA John Blair accuses Sinn Féin, the DUP, UUP and SDLP of blocking tougher penalties for repeat polluters after an Assembly vote. He says the other parties are undermining protection for Lough Neagh and farmers, and urges them to reflect on their stance.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Assembly vote on stricter penalties for repeat polluters Original release: Blair condemns other parties for protecting polluters (opens in a new tab)
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Fully implementing Cancer Strategy must be prioritised by DoH, says Donnelly, marking World Cancer Day.
Alliance Health spokesperson and East Antrim MLA Danny Donnelly calls for the Department of Health to fully implement the Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland, marking World Cancer Day 2025. He says many recommendations, including extending bowel screening to those aged 50 to 59, remain unactioned.
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Economy Minister must step up for mobile and broadband customers
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine says the new Economy Minister must challenge mobile and broadband companies to reconnect customers still without service after Storm Éowyn. She calls for the Minister to convene the companies, with UK Government representation, to deliver a quick solution.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Storm Éowyn mobile and broadband service outages Original release: Economy Minister must step up for mobile and broadband customers (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin marks one year anniversary with refreshed ministerial team – O’Neill
Sinn Féin Leas Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill announces a refreshed ministerial team marking one year since the Executive's restoration, with Caoimhe Archibald taking the economy portfolio and John O'Dowd moving to finance from Infrastructure, replaced by Liz Kimmins.
Other Economy and employment Issue: Sinn Féin ministerial team refresh marking one year of the Executive Original release: Sinn Féin marks one year anniversary with refreshed ministerial team – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Fair funding for Foras na Gaeilge essential – Kearney
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney says he is extremely concerned the DUP is delaying agreement on a new funding model that could increase financial backing for small Irish language groups, after Foras na Gaeilge announced savings forcing cuts to grassroots organisations. He urges the DUP to agree it…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Foras na Gaeilge €800,000 budget cuts Original release: Fair funding for Foras na Gaeilge essential – Kearney (opens in a new tab)
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Brolly: Storm response must prioritise vulnerable
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly says storm contingency plans must be accelerated so vulnerable people on the critical care register, including those on home dialysis, get power and support without delay. She calls for investment in generators for health services and cross-border collaboration…
Health Disability and equality Issue: Storm aftermath response and critical care register support Original release: Brolly: Storm response must prioritise vulnerable (opens in a new tab)
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Lawless demands trigger on EU Civil Protection Mechanism for West
Aontú TD for Mayo Paul Lawless calls on the Government to request assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to speed up restoring power and water after Storm Éowyn, saying many customers in the West remain without services days later.
Infrastructure and transport International affairs Issue: Storm Éowyn power and water restoration EU Civil Protection Mechanism request Original release: Lawless demands trigger on EU Civil Protection Mechanism for West (opens in a new tab)
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Armstrong praises NIE post-Storm Eowyn but emphasises much work is now required by communication network companies
Ulster Unionist MLA Diana Armstrong praises NIE for restoring the electricity network after Storm Eowyn, then calls for telecom providers to restore broadband and mobile services, especially for elderly and vulnerable residents in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. She says providers must improve…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Storm Eowyn power and communications network restoration Original release: Armstrong praises NIE post-Storm Eowyn but emphasises much work is now required by communication network companies (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister opens The Northern Ireland Football Fund…
The DUP's Communities Minister [name] says applications are now open to The Northern Ireland Football Fund Performance Programme, the start of a £36.2million facilities improvement programme for local performance clubs. The Minister says further funding will be sought for a rolling programme of…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Football Fund Performance Programme applications opening Original release: Communities Minister opens The Northern Ireland Football Fund… (opens in a new tab)
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Government must direct more resources to restoration and repair of power lines and water network – Martin Kenny
Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny calls on the government to send extra forestry harvesters, diggers and work crews to clear fallen trees blocking power lines after Storm Éowyn, and to create a financial compensation package for affected families.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Storm Éowyn electricity network damage and power restoration Original release: Government must direct more resources to restoration and repair of power lines and water network – Martin Kenny (opens in a new tab)
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Cullen responds to report into suspension of emergency surgery at SWAH
Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen welcomes the RQIA review of the temporary suspension of emergency surgery at South West Acute Hospital, but says its narrow scope omits permanent service plans. He urges the Trust, NIAS and the Department of Health to implement the recommendations swiftly and says Sinn Féin –
Health Issue: RQIA review of SWAH emergency surgery suspension Original release: Cullen responds to report into suspension of emergency surgery at SWAH (opens in a new tab)
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Abortion statists reveal horrific rise
TUV leader Jim Allister says Department of Health abortion statistics show a 28.8% rise in 2023/24 to 2,792 terminations and calls on the Health Minister to explain why Northern Ireland still lacks socioeconomic and repeat-abortion data available in Great Britain, despite a 2024 assurance. TUV MLA…
Health Issue: Department of Health abortion statistics for 2023/24 published Original release: Abortion statists reveal horrific rise (opens in a new tab)
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‘Game changing’ ambulance mental health service must be maintained, says Donnelly.
Alliance Health spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA calls on the Health Minister to keep funding for the NIAS control‑room mental health specialist pilot, which cuts 40% of mental‑health calls and eases ambulance pressure, after the Department said funding ends at the end of the 2025 financial year.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: NIAS mental health specialist pilot funding deadline Original release: ‘Game changing’ ambulance mental health service must be maintained, says Donnelly. (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw welcomes Executive commitment to combatting forced marriage.
Alliance TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA welcomes the Finance Minister's assurance that Executive agreement has been secured to extend the forced marriage offence to arranging marriages of under-18s. She calls for the related legislation to be brought before the Assembly in coming months.
Disability and equality Issue: Finance Minister's assurance on forced marriage offence extension in Assembly Original release: Bradshaw welcomes Executive commitment to combatting forced marriage. (opens in a new tab)
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Cultural shift needed to end gender-based violence, says Egan, welcoming launch of Power to Change campaign.
Alliance Justice spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the PSNI, Department of Justice and Executive Office 'Power to Change' campaign, saying society must change its culture to end gender-based violence. She says men and boys have a crucial role in challenging harmful attitudes and intervening…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: PSNI 'Power to Change' gender-based violence campaign launch Original release: Cultural shift needed to end gender-based violence, says Egan, welcoming launch of Power to Change campaign. (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Executive parties saying one thing and doing another on gambling
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA accuses Executive parties of contradicting themselves on gambling harm, citing a regulation raising betting stakes and prizes in registered clubs passed the same day as a motion on tackling gambling harm. He calls for a commitment to legislation…
Health Issue: Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 approval Original release: O’Toole: Executive parties saying one thing and doing another on gambling (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan welcomes passing of motion calling for gambling addiction services
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes a cross-party Assembly motion on a health-led approach to gambling harm and urges the health department to draw up a plan for gambling support services, integrated into mental health and suicide prevention strategies.
Health Issue: Assembly motion calling for health-led approach to gambling harm Original release: McGuigan welcomes passing of motion calling for gambling addiction services (opens in a new tab)