Latest releases
Searching a long passage? Find similar statements.
2,853 releases
-
All-Ireland fantasy meets cold, hard financial reality
TUV Carrick Castle Councillor David Clarke says an Institute of International and European Affairs report on the costs of a united Ireland shows Northern Ireland is better off in the UK, citing projected annual costs and lower living standards. He argues against Irish reunification, pointing to…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Institute of International and European Affairs report on costs of Irish unification Original release: All-Ireland fantasy meets cold, hard financial reality (opens in a new tab)
-
Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Easter Rising Commemoration
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD says the 1916 rebels inspire today’s fight for a united, free Ireland, urges protection and regeneration of Moore Street, and praises First Minister Michelle O’Neill’s historic role.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Sinn Féin Easter Rising commemoration at Arbour Hill Original release: Mary Lou McDonald addresses Sinn Féin’s annual Easter Rising Commemoration (opens in a new tab)
-
Department of Education publishes Healthy Happy Minds evaluation
The DUP reports that the Department of Education has released an external review of the Healthy Happy Minds pilot, which delivered counselling and therapeutic support in primary schools from November 2021 to March 2023. Education Minister Paul Givan says he will weigh its findings alongside wider…
Education Health Issue: Healthy Happy Minds pilot evaluation publication Original release: Department of Education publishes Healthy Happy Minds evaluation (opens in a new tab)
-
Rates refund for Victoria Square apartments welcomed
DUP MLA Diane Forsythe welcomes the decision that owners of Victoria Square apartments will no longer be liable for rates, with refunds for rates paid since 2019. She calls for refunds to be processed quickly and for the wider problems facing owners to be resolved.
Public finance and taxation Local government Issue: Victoria Square apartments rates liability decision and refunds Original release: Rates refund for Victoria Square apartments welcomed (opens in a new tab)
-
Over £7 million spent on asylum seekers and immigrant support in Northern Ireland in 2022/2023 and 2023/24
TUV leader Jim Allister says Northern Ireland departments received over £7 million for asylum seekers, £4,324,250 in 2022/2023 and £2,863,750 in 2023/24, citing a Stormont answer. He links the figure to Reform UK's policy on stopping small boat crossings.
Immigration Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont departments' asylum seeker funding figures for 2022/23 and 2023/24 Original release: Over £7 million spent on asylum seekers and immigrant support in Northern Ireland in 2022/2023 and 2023/24 (opens in a new tab)
-
Chambers welcomes investment in health service dentistry
Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers welcomes the £9 million targeted support package for health‑service dentistry, saying the three measures will aid general dental practitioners and improve patient access after pandemic‑related pressures.
Health Issue: £9m health service dentistry support package Original release: Chambers welcomes investment in health service dentistry (opens in a new tab)
-
7,681 abortions in Northern Ireland since law change
TUV leader Jim Allister says 7,681 abortions have been carried out in Northern Ireland since the abortion regulations took effect in March 2020, based on a Department of Health answer to his written question. He criticises the Sinn Fein-led return to government and cites a 79% opposition figure…
Health Issue: Department of Health figures on abortions since 2020 regulations Original release: 7,681 abortions in Northern Ireland since law change (opens in a new tab)
-
Cllr Lauren Kendall urges support for those struggling with addiction
Green Party NI councillor Lauren Kendall, representing Holywood and Clandeboye, backs Rory Sloan's ResoluteMinds peer-support launch on 15 May 2024 and calls on the NI Executive to make drug and addiction a priority in the Programme for Government.
-
Hanna: NIAC report sets out need for ambition and delivery
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna welcomes a Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report on public services, calling on Stormont Ministers to act urgently on health, education and justice pressures and to bring forward spending plans. She also calls for institutional reform to prevent Executive…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report on public services pressures Original release: Hanna: NIAC report sets out need for ambition and delivery (opens in a new tab)
-
Bradshaw announces Positive Life pop-up HIV testing clinic at constituency office on April 3
Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw announces a free, pop-up HIV testing clinic run by Positive Life at her constituency office on 291 Ormeau Road on 3 April, part of the Fast Track Cities Initiative. She calls for opt-out HIV and Hepatitis testing within standard health checks.
Health Issue: Positive Life pop-up HIV testing clinic at South Belfast constituency office Original release: Bradshaw announces Positive Life pop-up HIV testing clinic at constituency office on April 3 (opens in a new tab)
-
Kimmins remains hopeful of successful outcome on nursing pay talks
Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins says she is hopeful of a positive result from fresh pay negotiations between the health department and the Royal College of Nursing, after other health unions accepted a recent pay offer. She welcomes that agreement and urges talks to begin quickly.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Health unions accept Department of Health pay offer; RCN talks Original release: Kimmins remains hopeful of successful outcome on nursing pay talks (opens in a new tab)
-
Delivering more social homes must be a priority – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson urges the Communities Minister to urgently produce a housing supply strategy with a delivery timeline, after briefings showed the social housing stock is shrinking at an unsustainable rate.
Housing Issue: Social housing stock decline briefing to Stormont committee Original release: Delivering more social homes must be a priority – Ferguson (opens in a new tab)
-
Doug Beattie wishes Catherine, the Princess of Wales a speedy recovery
UUP Leader Doug Beattie MLA wishes Catherine, the Princess of Wales, a speedy recovery after her cancer diagnosis. He says she and her family should be given space to deal with the illness in private despite media speculation.
Other Health Issue: Princess of Wales cancer diagnosis announcement Original release: Doug Beattie wishes Catherine, the Princess of Wales a speedy recovery (opens in a new tab)
-
McAllister calls for increased transparency and communication around waiting lists
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister calls for the Department of Health to be more open with patients about wait times, following a committee briefing on waiting lists. She also urges continued surgical hubs, more physical support and clearer communication for those awaiting treatment.
Health Issue: Health committee briefing on Northern Ireland waiting lists Original release: McAllister calls for increased transparency and communication around waiting lists (opens in a new tab)
-
Alliance gender pay gap reporting motion passes at Belfast City Council
Alliance councillors welcome the passing of their motion at Belfast City Council calling for gender pay gap reporting, noting no legal obligation exists in Northern Ireland. Councillor Tara Brooks, who proposed it, says the council should lead by adopting transparent methods for recording and…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast City Council gender pay gap reporting motion passes Original release: Alliance gender pay gap reporting motion passes at Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
-
Children with SEN must be a priority – Baker
Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker calls on the Education Minister to make children with special educational needs a priority, after figures showed over 1,000 such children will need a school place in September. He urges the minister to work with the Health Minister and other parties to overhaul the SEN…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Over 1,000 children with SEN needing school places in September Original release: Children with SEN must be a priority – Baker (opens in a new tab)
-
Hanna: UK Government must address plight of WASPI women
SDLP South Belfast MP Claire Hanna calls on the Work and Pensions Secretary to make an urgent statement to Parliament on correcting the WASPI women's pension age situation after the Ombudsman found they were owed compensation.
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman WASPI compensation finding Original release: Hanna: UK Government must address plight of WASPI women (opens in a new tab)
-
Minister outlines vision for housing ahead of opening new £100m…
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons sets out housing priorities at the Northern Ireland Housing Conference, including more social and affordable homes, and opens the 653-home Black Ridge development in west Belfast.
-
Audit Office report must act as stimulus for change: Dodds
DUP Health spokesperson Diane Dodds says the Audit Office report on access to general practice must drive change, calling for technology to be used better, GP Federations to play a greater role, and multidisciplinary team funding to be rolled out across the province.
Health Issue: Comptroller and Auditor General report on access to general practice Original release: Audit Office report must act as stimulus for change: Dodds (opens in a new tab)
-
Patient safety must be a priority – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon, speaking after a Public Services Ombudsman event on health service complaints, says patient safety must be a top priority and urges the Department of Health to act urgently on concerns raised by patients, families and staff.
Health Original release: Patient safety must be a priority – Dillon (opens in a new tab)