Latest releases
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448 releases
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There must be zero tolerance of attacks on health workers – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, the health spokesperson, calls for an end to abuse of medical staff after reporting that a paramedic in Derry was assaulted by a patient at Altnagelvin Hospital. He says health workers should never face violence or threats at work.
Health Original release: There must be zero tolerance of attacks on health workers – McGuigan (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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Sinn Fein’s ANC Bill would rob lowland farmers to boost payments to…
DUP agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA warns that Sinn Féin's proposed ANC legislation would shift funding from lowland dairy, cereal and beef and sheep producers to large landowners in disadvantaged areas, and calls for Sinn Féin to identify extra money.
Agriculture and rural affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Sinn Fein ANC Bill proposal Original release: Sinn Fein’s ANC Bill would rob lowland farmers to boost payments to… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its Job
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP welcomes any UK Budget support for Northern Ireland households facing rising energy and bill costs, but says the Executive must agree its own Budget and stop relying on short-term crisis fixes. She calls for a clear long-term plan for families and businesses.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget announcement Original release: Hanna: UK Budget Underlines Failure of Executive to Do Its Job (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitments
SDLP Opposition Leader Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Belfast section of the Eastern Transport Plan 2035 is long on aspiration and short on firm delivery commitments, questioning how the north-south Glider will be funded without an agreed budget. He also raises concerns about cuts to cycling…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Eastern Transport Plan 2035 Belfast portion publication Original release: O’Toole: Belfast transport plan long on aspiration, short on delivery commitments (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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DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveen
DUP agriculture spokesperson Michelle McIlveen MLA says her party will oppose Minister Andrew Muir's plan to tie the Farm Sustainability Payment to registering for the carbon audit project. She says cuts of 10% then 15% are a penalty, the project is underfunded, and calls on the Minister to think…
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Original release: DUP will oppose carbon audit penalties on farmers – McIlveen (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland
UUP spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes the proposed UK-EU SPS agreement but says it leaves customs and tariffs in Northern Ireland. He criticises Whitehall for ignoring the Union Customs Code parcel handling fee and calls for the Stormont Brake to be applied, and says applying parts of…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: EU handling fees on Northern Ireland parcels Original release: Whitehall asleep as EU parcel tax and AI rules hit Northern Ireland (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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Armstrong: Farm fire costs rose four times faster here than across the UK
Ulster Unionist MLA Diana Armstrong calls for investment in rural fire services after farm fire costs rose 73% in Northern Ireland.
Agriculture and rural affairs Economy and employment Issue: NFU Mutual's Farm Fires Report 2025 statistics release Original release: Armstrong: Farm fire costs rose four times faster here than across the UK (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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CCG: Don’t sell our land for an AI campus!
Aontú calls on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's sub-committee to halt and reject the proposed sale of public land for a data centre expansion at the Coleraine campus. It argues the project lacks an updated Local Development Plan and demands transparency, public consultation and full…
Local government Infrastructure and transport Issue: Coleraine data centre expansion proposal Original release: CCG: Don’t sell our land for an AI campus! (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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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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Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray
Alliance Belfast City Councillor Micky Murray says legal opinion backed his party's call-in over a £339,242 discretionary funding redirection by the DUP and Sinn Féin. He claims procedures were not properly followed, including a proposal to ring-fence funds for bilingual street signs before other…
Local government Public finance and taxation Issue: Belfast City Council discretionary funding allocation call-in Original release: Call-in reveals serious concerns around transparency and fairness in council funding, says Murray (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 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)