Latest releases
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3,235 releases
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Children and families of St Columba’s deserve to be heard – Ferguson
Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson presents a 6,160-signature petition to the Assembly to save St Columba's Primary School in Newbuildings, and urges the Education Authority and Department to examine all alternatives before any closure decision.
Education Original release: Children and families of St Columba’s deserve to be heard – Ferguson (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.
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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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Alliance comment on announcement of new contract between GPs and Department of Health
Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the new GP contract but says the BMA's view that the offer is a drop in the ocean means it cannot cap ambition. She urges all parties to join Alliance's proposed multi-party framework for health and social care.
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Alliance comment on announcement of new contract between GPs and Department of Health (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Sheehan slams plans by DUP to veto Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan slams the DUP's plan to veto his Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill via a petition of concern, saying it would harm children learning through Irish. He calls on the DUP to abandon the move and let the Assembly vote, describing the opposition as anti-Irish bigotry.
Education Disability and equality Original release: Sheehan slams plans by DUP to veto Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Butler: New GP contract will deliver better access for patients
Health Minister Robbie Butler welcomes the conclusion of GP contract negotiations with the NI General Practitioners Committee, including £17.384million for 2026/27 and an extra £40m over two years to improve patient access. He says NIGPC has committed to easier access and to the Neighbourhood…
Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Butler: New GP contract will deliver better access for patients (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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There must be zero tolerance of attacks on health workers - McGuigan - Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan condemns an assault on a female paramedic in Derry by a patient at Altnagelvin Hospital, calling for intolerance of abuse and violence against health and social care staff.
Health Original release: There must be zero tolerance of attacks on health workers - McGuigan - Sinn Féin (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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8 Years 9 Months wait for urgent dermatology appointment in Northern Trust
TUV MP Jim Allister says the Northern Trust has confirmed an 8 years 9 months wait to see a dermatologist for an urgent referral in a constituency case. He calls the situation a catastrophic failure, encloses redacted correspondence, and says he will press the Trust's chief executive on it next…
Health Issue: Northern Trust dermatology service wait times criticism Original release: 8 Years 9 Months wait for urgent dermatology appointment in Northern Trust (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Richard Boyd Barrett Calls on Taoiseach to Use Shared Ireland Funds to Save Services in Newry’s Daisy Hill Hospital
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett calls on the Taoiseach to use the Shared Island fund to keep maternity and other services at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, after maternity care was suspended and patients rerouted to Drogheda. Party representative Marc Mac Seáin pledges continued…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services suspension Original release: Richard Boyd Barrett Calls on Taoiseach to Use Shared Ireland Funds to Save Services in Newry’s Daisy Hill Hospital (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -…
DUP MLA Pam Cameron says a Committee for Communities survey shows 93.55% of 1,379 respondents opposed the Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill, and calls on the Alliance Party to heed the public and halt the Bill. She argues prosecutors flagged vague harm thresholds and reach into family…
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Alliance Conversion Practices Bill Original release: Overwhelming opposition to Alliance Conversion Practices Bill -… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's future
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP writes to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget, urging targeted help for households facing high energy and bills, including extra money for the home heating oil scheme and an Essentials Guarantee for Universal Credit. She also proposes a ten-year investment partnership on…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Stormont budget request for household support and infrastructure investment Original release: Hanna: Budget must deliver support now and invest in Northern Ireland's future (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible
Alliance Belfast Councillor Michael Long welcomes Belfast City Council's endorsement of an Alliance proposal to have council officers meet the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee before next year's Fleadh. The move follows disability groups' concerns about this year's event.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fleadh 2026 accessibility concerns and proposals Original release: Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Stewart Dickson and Danny Donnelly selected as Alliance East Antrim Assembly candidates
Alliance Party selects Stewart Dickson and Danny Donnelly as its East Antrim Assembly candidates, saying they will provide a cross‑community, progressive choice and urging progressive voters to keep a strong Alliance team in the Assembly.
Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Alliance selects East Antrim Assembly candidates Original release: Stewart Dickson and Danny Donnelly selected as Alliance East Antrim Assembly candidates (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hunger figures must be a wake-up call for Communities Minister, says Mulholland
Alliance Communities spokesperson Sian Mulholland MLA expresses concern at Trussell figures showing 21% of people in Northern Ireland reported their household ran out of food in the last year, and calls on the Communities Minister to bring forward an funded Anti-Poverty Strategy with deadlines and…
Social security and welfare Economy and employment Issue: Stormont poverty statistics release Original release: Hunger figures must be a wake-up call for Communities Minister, says Mulholland (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Collapse of maternity services at Daisy Hill a result of failure to act with urgency, says Danny Donnelly MLA
Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly says the temporary move of Daisy Hill maternity services to Craigavon is deeply disappointing and blames a lack of workforce planning and failure to implement the Renfrew review. He calls on the Health Minister to take accountability and restore services in Newry.
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services suspension Original release: Collapse of maternity services at Daisy Hill a result of failure to act with urgency, says Danny Donnelly MLA (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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DUP MLAs press Southern Trust over Daisy Hill maternity withdrawal
DUP MLAs Diane Dodds, Diane Forsythe and Gareth Wilson say it is regrettable the Southern Trust is moving inpatient maternity from Daisy Hill to Craigavon, citing long rural journeys and consultant shortages. They call for a clear timeline to restore Daisy Hill services and for the Health Minister…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services suspension Original release: DUP MLAs press Southern Trust over Daisy Hill maternity withdrawal (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Pressure must stay on the Southern Trust and the Health Minister to save Daisy Hill maternity services – Hughes
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes calls on the Southern Trust, Health Minister and Department of Health to find solutions to the Daisy Hill maternity crisis after the Trust approved temporary relocation of services. He warns Craigavon will struggle and vows continued pressure to…
Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services suspension Original release: Pressure must stay on the Southern Trust and the Health Minister to save Daisy Hill maternity services – Hughes (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister must ensure RSE is age appropriate and evidence based – Mason
SF MLA Cathy Mason calls on the Education Minister to make Relationships and Sex Education suitable for each developmental stage, grounded in research and responsive to young people's needs, following a recent Assembly debate. She argues it helps pupils spot abuse, understand consent and challenge…
Education Issue: Assembly debate on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Original release: Education Minister must ensure RSE is age appropriate and evidence based – Mason (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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BROLLY: “Safeguarding must not be used as an excuse to sideline parents”
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly, ahead of the Assembly debate on the Education Committee's report into RSE, says safeguarding must not sideline parents and calls for parental rights, school ethos and transparency to be protected. She asks the Education Minister to clarify withdrawal rights…
Education Issue: Assembly debate on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Original release: BROLLY: “Safeguarding must not be used as an excuse to sideline parents” (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan
Sinn Féin education spokesperson Pat Sheehan MLA says Education Minister Paul Givan's TransformED reform plans would add exam pressure, cut coursework and narrow the curriculum, and calls on him to rethink them and stop avoiding academic selection.
Education Issue: TransformED education reforms announcement Original release: TransformED is taking education system in the wrong direction – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)