Latest releases
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5,288 releases
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Allister welcomes dental hygiene course proposal – but gaps in preventive care remain
North Antrim MP Jim Allister welcomes the consideration of a dental therapy degree at Queen’s University Belfast but urges the Health Minister to fund an NHS contract for hygienists and close the preventive‑care gap highlighted by GDC statistics.
Health Education Issue: Queen’s University Belfast dental therapy course proposal Original release: Allister welcomes dental hygiene course proposal – but gaps in preventive care remain (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O’Dowd welcomes progress on A1 safety improvements
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd welcomes the recent advancement of the A1 Junctions Phase 2 works after the Vesting Order, praising the planned flyover junctions and continuous central barrier and urging swift construction to improve road safety.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A1 Junctions Phase 2 Vesting Order Original release: O’Dowd welcomes progress on A1 safety improvements (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Department Green Light for Newry City Centre Park welcomed – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh, Dáire Hughes, welcomes the Department for Infrastructure’s approval for Newry’s city‑centre park to move to construction, saying the green space will benefit the community and complement other local projects.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Newry city centre park green light Original release: Department Green Light for Newry City Centre Park welcomed – Hughes (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Mandatory carbon audits are finished
UUP Deputy Leader and Agriculture Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA says the Department's proposal to link carbon audits to farm payments is effectively dead, with four parties opposed. She calls for the Department to stop and listen, arguing the calculators ignore carbon stored in hedges, trees…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: Mandatory carbon audits are finished (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 13 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Compulsory Carbon Audits unnecessary and disproportionate – McAleer
Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson and West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer opposes Department proposals to make carbon audits compulsory for farmers, saying linking them to 10% to 15% cuts in Farm Sustainability Payments goes beyond the Climate Change Act and penalises smaller farmers.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: Compulsory Carbon Audits unnecessary and disproportionate – McAleer (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly: Derry needs a stronger network of rapid EV charging points
SDLP Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly calls for urgent investment in rapid EV charging across Derry, citing a shortage of reliable fast chargers. He welcomes two Waterside applications in the planning system and Council's ORCS involvement, and urges the Department for Infrastructure to act.
Infrastructure and transport Local government Original release: Reilly: Derry needs a stronger network of rapid EV charging points (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Selects Daniel McCrossan as West Tyrone Assembly Candidate
SDLP has chosen Daniel McCrossan MLA as its Assembly election candidate for West Tyrone, citing his work on the A5 road project, healthcare, education and rural investment, and urging voters to support his continued advocacy.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: SDLP selects West Tyrone Assembly candidate Original release: SDLP Selects Daniel McCrossan as West Tyrone Assembly Candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: School Holidays Shouldn't Mean Hunger
SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA backs the Holiday Hunger Bill, which would keep Free School Meals support for eligible children during school holidays, and calls on the Executive to fund it.
Social security and welfare Education Issue: Holiday Hunger Bill backing for Free School Meals during school holidays Original release: Hunter: School Holidays Shouldn't Mean Hunger (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Working Families Paying Price for Executive Failure on School Meals
SDLP Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA criticises a further rise in school meal costs, saying working families are bearing the impact of Executive dysfunction and the lack of a Budget. He questions the cost gap with England and calls for procurement transparency.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority school meal price increase to £3.40 Original release: Durkan: Working Families Paying Price for Executive Failure on School Meals (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Farmers face payment raid as Sinn Fein pushes ANC Bill through –…
DUP Agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA urges farmers outside disadvantaged areas to lobby their MLAs before Committee stage of the ANC Bill, claiming Sinn Fein's amendments delay but do not change plans to fund it by trimming Farm Sustainability Payments.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Sinn Fein ANC Bill proposal Original release: Farmers face payment raid as Sinn Fein pushes ANC Bill through –… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sam Nicholson selected as Ulster Unionist candidate for Newry and Armagh
Ulster Unionist Party says it has chosen architect and former Deputy Lord Mayor Sam Nicholson to stand in Newry and Armagh at the May Assembly election, urging voters to back his vision for jobs, health, housing and agriculture.
Other Economy and employment Issue: UUP selects Newry and Armagh Assembly candidate Original release: Sam Nicholson selected as Ulster Unionist candidate for Newry and Armagh (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Working together for better health: Butler launches ‘The Health Deal’
Health Minister Robbie Butler launches ‘The Health Deal’, a partnership setting out four initial HSC commitments on appointments, waiting times and cancellations, plus actions the public can take, shaped by 11,000 responses.
Health Issue: ‘The Health Deal’ launch following ‘This is Our Health’ public engagement Original release: Working together for better health: Butler launches ‘The Health Deal’ (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: First Minister's party cannot shirk blame for failing workers over pay
SDLP Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole says Executive parties cannot keep avoiding responsibility for failing to agree a Budget with the British Government, which he claims is blocking pay rises for nurses, teachers and other public sector workers before Christmas.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Executive failure to agree Budget with British Government delaying public sector pay Original release: O'Toole: First Minister's party cannot shirk blame for failing workers over pay (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Reject Racist Divide and Rule Thuggery
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin condemns racist attacks in the Waterside, saying healthcare workers, including migrants, are being targeted by thugs stirred up by billionaires and politicians. He urges people to reject divide and rule politics and unite behind a fit-for-purpose health…
Health Issue: Racist attacks on healthcare workers in the Waterside Original release: Harkin: Reject Racist Divide and Rule Thuggery (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Parents hit with 31% rise in school dinner costs in 13 months
UUP South Antrim Assembly candidate Liz Clarke urges an immediate halt to the January school dinner price rise, which follows the Education Authority's second increase in about a year, and wants the full costings behind its £5.28 per-meal figure published. She also calls for a review of the free…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Education Authority school meal price increase to £3.40 Original release: Parents hit with 31% rise in school dinner costs in 13 months (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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STOP THE CUTS: Don’t Balance the Books on the Backs of our Children!
Aontú calls on the Education Minister, the Department of Education and the Education Authority to halt proposed education cuts, including a further £20 million in reductions, and to reverse changes to SEN transport and school meal charges. The party also urges restoring school programme funding…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Authority further £20 million education cuts announcement Original release: STOP THE CUTS: Don’t Balance the Books on the Backs of our Children! (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGuigan calls for improved arthritis and musculoskeletal care
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan calls on the Health Minister to review the entire patient pathway, improve patient communication and bring earlier intervention for arthritis and musculoskeletal care, after an Assembly motion on the issue. He cites around 550,000 people in the North living with…
Health Issue: Assembly motion on arthritis and musculoskeletal care Original release: McGuigan calls for improved arthritis and musculoskeletal care (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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GP deal welcome but patients need an end to the 8.30am lottery - Dodds
DUP health spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA welcomes the newly agreed GP deal but says it leaves patients still struggling to book appointments, and calls on the Health Minister to set out how and when access will improve and address the funding and workforce gaps.
Health Issue: New GP contract announced by Department of Health Original release: GP deal welcome but patients need an end to the 8.30am lottery - Dodds (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Burrows invites unionists to join a revitalised UUP
UUP Leader Jon Burrows MLA makes a "big, broad offer" inviting unionists across Northern Ireland, including elected representatives from other unionist parties, to join the Ulster Unionist Party as it builds a new leadership team. He says unionism needs change and cites Health Minister Robbie…
Other Health Original release: Burrows invites unionists to join a revitalised UUP (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Wilson: Minister is out of touch with the realities facing family…
DUP Newry & Armagh MLA Gareth Wilson accuses Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir of being out of touch with farmers over mandatory carbon audits, which he says would cut farm payments by 10% from May 2029 and 15% the following year. He calls for the Minister to listen to farmers and says the DUP will…
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: Carbon Footprinting Project farm payment regulations before Agriculture Committee Original release: Wilson: Minister is out of touch with the realities facing family… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)