Latest releases
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3,343 releases
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Gaston calls for action on puberty blockers from Department of Health
North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston calls on the Health Minister to bring forward plans banning puberty blockers in Northern Ireland, warning the region could become a back door for them into Great Britain after a Belfast Telegraph report.
Health Issue: Belfast Telegraph report on puberty blockers reaching Great Britain via Northern Ireland Original release: Gaston calls for action on puberty blockers from Department of Health (opens in a new tab)
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Bill important first step in securing future of woodlands here, says McReynolds
Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds says his proposed Private Members' Bill on tree protection is an important first step to securing Northern Ireland's woodlands. The Bill would strengthen tree preservation orders, create a 'heritage tree' designation and protect trees from permitted developments.
Environment and climate Issue: Private Members' Bill on tree protection submission Original release: Bill important first step in securing future of woodlands here, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)
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One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair
Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says the Environment Improvement Plan is more urgent than ever, welcoming the DAERA Minister's efforts to secure Executive approval after the July 2023 deadline was missed. He urges the Executive to act.
Environment and climate Original release: One year past Environment Improvement Plan deadline despite Minister’s efforts, says Blair (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Patients face longer waits due to lack of funding for cross border healthcare
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says it is regrettable patients will face longer waits because funding was not found to reinstate the cross border healthcare reimbursement scheme. He urges the Finance Minister to urgently explore funding it and to close a £293million HSC…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Cross border healthcare reimbursement scheme excluded from Executive budget Original release: McGrath: Patients face longer waits due to lack of funding for cross border healthcare (opens in a new tab)
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Financial Settlement Needed to Sustain and Transform Public Services
The DUP's Gavin Robinson MP, speaking at Commons Questions to the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, urges the new Government to engage urgently on funding for public services. He says the interim fiscal framework announced in December falls well short and calls for a new long-term framework.
Public finance and taxation Health Original release: Financial Settlement Needed to Sustain and Transform Public Services (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson – “scarce resources must be carefully managed”
DUP MP Sammy Wilson challenges the Secretary of State over making the £300m Casement Park GAA stadium a top priority on day one, arguing schools and hospitals need funding first. He says the Government's reply doubted the stadium could be built in time for the 2028 Euros and calls for fairness…
Public finance and taxation Health Issue: Casement Park stadium funding and 2028 Euros timeline Original release: Wilson – “scarce resources must be carefully managed” (opens in a new tab)
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New Race Relations legislation must be much higher priority by First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw
Alliance Executive Office Spokesperson and South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw calls for the First and deputy First Minister to bring forward a new Race Relations Order much more urgently, after they indicated it could not come until 2026. She says racially motivated attacks are too common and urges…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Race Relations legislation timetable delay until 2026 Original release: New Race Relations legislation must be much higher priority by First and deputy First Minister, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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As Media & Tourism spokesperson, I will stand up for workers and quality services – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Dublin South Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh welcomes his new Sinn Féin portfolio covering tourism and media, and pledges to press for workers' rights, high-quality public services, and sustainable direct exchequer funding for RTÉ instead of the licence fee. He also calls for an all-Ireland approach…
Economy and employment Housing Issue: Aengus Ó Snodaigh appointed Sinn Féin tourism and media spokesperson Original release: As Media & Tourism spokesperson, I will stand up for workers and quality services – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD (opens in a new tab)
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Minister must outline pathway to opening of new Maternity hospital –…
DUP MLA Diane Dodds, a Stormont Health Committee member, asks Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to attend a committee meeting on the Royal Victoria new Maternity Hospital's opening. She seeks clarity on steps to address Pseudomonas aeruginosa found in the water system, timescales, costs and budget.
Health Infrastructure and transport Issue: Pseudomonas aeruginosa found in Royal Victoria new Maternity Hospital water system Original release: Minister must outline pathway to opening of new Maternity hospital –… (opens in a new tab)
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The Minister for Communities must invest in homelessness prevention services, says Armstrong
Alliance Housing Spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA calls on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to prioritise homelessness prevention investment, citing 47,312 households on social housing waiting lists, 29,394 of them with homelessness status, and warning of pressure on other services.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Social housing waiting lists reach 47,312 households Original release: The Minister for Communities must invest in homelessness prevention services, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)
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PEOPLE NEEDING CATERACT SURGERY URGED TO AVAIL OF TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY BEFORE RATES CUT - LAWLESS
Aontú Cllr Paul Lawless welcomes the HSE's decision to extend until 21 August the date for cross-border cataract surgery reimbursement at current rates, ahead of cuts to €1,171 from 1 September. He urges people to have surgery beforehand and says the next Mayo Cataract Bus will leave on 2 August.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: HSE extension of cross-border cataract surgery reimbursement rates Original release: PEOPLE NEEDING CATERACT SURGERY URGED TO AVAIL OF TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY BEFORE RATES CUT - LAWLESS (opens in a new tab)
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UK Government should ditch punitive Tory plans on Personal Independence Payments, says Mulholland
Alliance benefits spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA calls on the new UK Government to drop the Conservative proposals to reform Personal Independence Payments, after the DWP consultation closed. She says the plans to tie eligibility to a medical diagnosis and replace monthly payments with vouchers…
Social security and welfare Disability and equality Issue: DWP consultation on Personal Independence Payments reform closes Original release: UK Government should ditch punitive Tory plans on Personal Independence Payments, says Mulholland (opens in a new tab)
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McCrossan: Budget cut will worsen housing crisis
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan warns that cuts to the Housing Executive budget will hit families across the North, after the Executive's body said funding gaps would limit new social housing to 400 homes this year against a 2,000 target. He calls for immediate action from the Executive and a properly…
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Housing Executive budget shortfall and reduced social house building targets Original release: McCrossan: Budget cut will worsen housing crisis (opens in a new tab)
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Kathleen Funchion MEP appointed to key European Parliament Committees
Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South Kathleen Funchion says she will stand up for workers and families after being appointed to the Regional Development, Employment and FEMM (Women's Rights) committees. She pledges regionally balanced investment and collective bargaining rights.
Economy and employment Disability and equality Issue: Kathleen Funchion MEP appointed to European Parliament committees Original release: Kathleen Funchion MEP appointed to key European Parliament Committees (opens in a new tab)
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Lynn Boylan MEP appointed to key European Parliament Committees
Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin Lynn Boylan says she will champion working people and households in the European Parliament after her appointment to the International Trade and ENVI committees. She pledges to oppose the Mercosur deal and to press for post-Brexit arrangements that honour the Good Friday…
Economy and employment International affairs Issue: Lynn Boylan appointed to European Parliament International Trade and ENVI committees Original release: Lynn Boylan MEP appointed to key European Parliament Committees (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson welcomes derogation
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP welcomes the UK-EU derogation on dental amalgam supplies for Northern Ireland, saying it followed DUP warnings to the Northern Ireland Secretary about using Stormont mechanisms. He calls for the Democratic Scrutiny Committee to have time to examine the derogation.
Health International affairs Issue: UK-EU derogation on dental amalgam supplies for Northern Ireland Original release: Robinson welcomes derogation (opens in a new tab)
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OEP findings "depressing and concerning" - Cllr Smyth
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth, for Lisnasharragh, says the Office for Environmental Protection's findings that water quality laws are not being implemented properly are depressing and concerning. He accuses the Stormont Executive of giving persistent polluters a free pass and says it may have…
Environment and climate Issue: Office for Environmental Protection findings on water quality law implementation Original release: OEP findings "depressing and concerning" - Cllr Smyth (opens in a new tab)
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Tennyson welcomes derogation on dental amalgam.
Alliance EU Affairs spokesperson Eóin Tennyson MLA welcomes a derogation on the proposed EU dental amalgam ban, which allows a phased reduction with Northern Ireland ending amalgam use by 31 December 2034. He credits DAERA Minister Andrew Muir and UK Government colleagues for the outcome.
Health International affairs Issue: UK-EU derogation on dental amalgam supplies for Northern Ireland Original release: Tennyson welcomes derogation on dental amalgam. (opens in a new tab)
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McAllister welcomes pay offer for consultants
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the Department of Health’s improved pay offer for consultants, says it recognises the workforce’s value and urges the Minister to address junior and specialist doctors’ pay.
Health Economy and employment Issue: Department of Health consultant pay offer Original release: McAllister welcomes pay offer for consultants (opens in a new tab)
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Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair.
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA urges people to use Plastic Free July to change how they use and dispose of plastic, citing harm to wildlife, waterways and marine life, and UN and BBC figures on global plastic waste.
Environment and climate Original release: Let’s use Plastic Free July to shape our attitude towards plastic waste, says Blair. (opens in a new tab)