Closest matches to “Nesbitt comments on Programme for Government”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include UUP · Back to the release
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Programme for Government is a positive step forward – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan welcomes the Executive's publication of its Programme for Government, calling it ambitious and a roadmap for delivery. He says more is needed, blames a decade of British government cuts and austerity, and calls for fairer funding from the British Treasury.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Final Programme for Government publication Original release: Programme for Government is a positive step forward – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Focus should be on realistic solutions to health service challenges
DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA says Northern Ireland's health service needs practical investment and reform, and calls proposals for an all-Ireland healthcare system unnecessary and unrealistic. She says General Practice pressures should be tackled locally through workforce stability and…
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Budget highlights need for reform and transformation again, says Eastwood
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood says the October 2024 Budget highlights the need for political reform and public service transformation, citing unresolved long-term finances, unclear Shared Prosperity Fund funding and calls for a relative needs review and removal of the two-child benefit limit.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Budget October 2024 impact on Northern Ireland Original release: Budget highlights need for reform and transformation again, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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It would be playing with people's lives and livelihoods to delay Executive any further, says Bradshaw
Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA warns that delaying the restoration of the Executive would cost lives, pointing to long waiting lists, the cancer strategy and the need for a budget and a decision on the hospital estate.
Health Issue: Health Minister's statement on health transformation and reconfiguration Original release: It would be playing with people's lives and livelihoods to delay Executive any further, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the Health Minister's Reset Plan lacks detail and needs direct action on waiting lists, staff pay and community services. He criticises proposed charges and budget cuts made without public consultation.
Health Issue: Health Minister's Reset Plan publication Original release: McGrath: Health service needs action, not another glossy plan (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw says Programme for Government agreement is positive but challenges remain in execution
Alliance's Paula Bradshaw MLA calls the draft Programme for Government agreement positive but says budget pressures and reform needs remain, welcoming a planned strategy on violence against women and girls and urging the First and deputy First Minister to pledge not to collapse the institutions.
Justice and policing Issue: Draft Programme for Government launch Original release: Bradshaw says Programme for Government agreement is positive but challenges remain in execution (opens in a new tab)
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‘Delivery is challenging but progress being made’
Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O'Neill says delivery in the Executive is challenging due to British government underfunding, and points to a multi-year budget and progress on public services, Lough Neagh and the Irish language while calling for Irish and British governments to plan a unity…
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Original release: ‘Delivery is challenging but progress being made’ (opens in a new tab)
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Waiting list figures demonstrate need for fundamental change, says Bradshaw
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA warns that the latest waiting list figures show a need for fundamental public health change and calls for faster investment in primary care, better waiting list data and individual area plans, plus a new Executive.
Health Issue: Department of Health waiting list figures release November 2023 Original release: Waiting list figures demonstrate need for fundamental change, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)
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Donnelly has expressed concern at latest cancer figures
Alliance Health Spokesperson Danny Donnelly expresses concern at Department of Health figures showing only 34.1% of urgent suspected breast cancer referrals seen within 14 days in January to March 2023. He welcomes Minister Nesbitt's inclusion of cancer as a priority but calls for transformation…
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer waiting times statistics January to March 2023 Original release: Donnelly has expressed concern at latest cancer figures (opens in a new tab)
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Ennis welcomes Executive agreement on Programme for Government
Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis welcomes Executive agreement on a Programme for Government, calling it a positive step forward for workers, families and communities. She says the party will keep contributing constructively to delivery in the Executive and Assembly.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: Ennis welcomes Executive agreement on Programme for Government (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says the latest hospital waiting list figures, showing over 542,000 people awaiting a first outpatient appointment and more than 174,000 waiting over two years, raise doubts about whether the Executive treats the backlog as a priority.
Health Issue: Latest hospital waiting list figures for outpatient appointments Original release: McGrath: Long health waiting lists leaving patients in limbo (opens in a new tab)
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O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt shows the Executive lacks a serious approach to government, and calls it an insult to healthcare workers and patients. He links it to the failure to agree a Budget and to internal party disputes.
Health Issue: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt resignation Original release: O'Toole: Resignation of Health Minister exposes "shambolic" Executive (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Cutting waiting times must be priority
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath says cutting Northern Ireland's health waiting lists should be a top priority for a restored Executive and Assembly, after the Department of Health published its latest waiting times. He calls for politicians to return to work and resource the health service…
Health Issue: Department of Health latest waiting times publication May 2023 Original release: McGrath: Cutting waiting times must be priority (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the Executive's Programme for Government will be judged on whether it delivers targets and priorities that improve people's lives. He criticises ministers for press conferences on a PfG that was signed off but not published for scrutiny.
Other Health Issue: Executive agreement on Programme for Government Original release: O’Toole: Programme for Government will be judged on delivery for public, not photo-opps (opens in a new tab)
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“Planning System not fit for purpose” Brett
DUP Infrastructure Spokesman Phillip Brett, North Belfast MLA, says the latest Northern Ireland Planning Statistics show a further rise in processing times for planning applications and calls for a planning system fit for purpose. He questions the £14 million spent on a new planning portal and…
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Northern Ireland Planning Statistics publication 2023 Original release: “Planning System not fit for purpose” Brett (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Further progress needed on health service reform
SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath welcomes the Stroke Action Plan but calls for a clear implementation timeline, three years after the consultation launched. He also welcomes the extension of the reimbursement scheme for treatment in the South and urges progress on orthopaedic waiting lists.
Health Issue: Stroke services reform proposals announced by Health Minister Robin Swann Original release: McGrath: Further progress needed on health service reform (opens in a new tab)
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McGrath: Cancer waiting times show Executive has lost focus
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA says published cancer waiting time figures show the Executive is failing to prioritise cancer care. He points to only 30% of urgent GP referrals treated within 62 days, a fall on the previous quarter, and calls on the Executive to take…
Health Issue: Department of Health cancer waiting times statistics publication January 2026 Original release: McGrath: Cancer waiting times show Executive has lost focus (opens in a new tab)
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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)
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Health Minister's three-year plan seriously lacks detail, says McAllister
Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the Health Minister's three-year health and social care plan, announced in the Assembly, lacks detail and new content. She calls for a clear roadmap on delivering better outcomes and says reform of the health service is necessary.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Health Minister's three-year health and social care plan announcement Original release: Health Minister's three-year plan seriously lacks detail, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP Statement on Restoration of the Devolved Institutions
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP welcomes the restoration of Northern Ireland's devolved institutions as positive for workers, communities and businesses. He urges incoming Ministers to prioritise restoring public services and a fair pay award for workers, and says the party will hold talks with the…
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Restoration of Northern Ireland's devolved institutions Original release: SDLP Statement on Restoration of the Devolved Institutions (opens in a new tab)
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Brett: Economy Minister’s Endless Legislative Promises
DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett says the Economy Minister makes frequent promises of major Bills and reforms but publishes very little, and points to a DUP Bill receiving Royal Assent as evidence of delivery. He says vague timelines on the Employment Rights Bill create uncertainty for employers.
Economy and employment Original release: Brett: Economy Minister’s Endless Legislative Promises (opens in a new tab)
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Minister announces a further £3million for Supporting People programme
The DUP announces that Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has secured an additional £3million for the Supporting People programme, distributed by the Housing Executive to accredited providers for supported accommodation for vulnerable people, including young people and older adults.
Housing Public finance and taxation Issue: Additional £3million funding for Supporting People programme Original release: Minister announces a further £3million for Supporting People programme (opens in a new tab)
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‘Progress and timely action required to restore Executive’ – McDonald
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD calls on the DUP and the British Government to end delays and restore the Executive, urging parties to work together on budgets and press the Treasury over underfunding of public services, as the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference meets.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference meeting on restoring the Executive Original release: ‘Progress and timely action required to restore Executive’ – McDonald (opens in a new tab)
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NHS still underpinned by its most valuable resource – its people:…
DUP Health Spokesperson Paul Givan pays tribute to the NHS on its 75th anniversary, hosting celebrations at Parliament Buildings and calling for Northern Ireland's health reforms to be delivered and the service placed on a sustainable financial footing.
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It’s time to take notice of the unsustainable way NI is financed
DUP MP Gavin Robinson warns that public service spending for Northern Ireland will fall by about £2,000 per household in real terms over three years, calling for debate on how Northern Ireland is financed. He cites the PSNI shortfall, the Barnett formula and the Fiscal Council.
Public finance and taxation Justice and policing Issue: Northern Ireland public spending cuts and PSNI funding shortfall Original release: It’s time to take notice of the unsustainable way NI is financed (opens in a new tab)
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Difficult times ahead, says Farry, as Secretary of State sets local Budget
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP warns of tough public spending ahead after the Secretary of State set a Northern Ireland budget, blaming the lack of an Executive and Assembly for missed long-term planning and a stalled reform agenda.
Public finance and taxation Issue: Secretary of State sets Northern Ireland budget for executive departments Original release: Difficult times ahead, says Farry, as Secretary of State sets local Budget (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: Programme for Government farce underlines Executive dysfunction
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA says the postponement of the Executive's Programme for Government reflects dysfunction, citing delays, a last-minute cancellation of a meeting and rising health waiting lists and poverty. He says Alliance must share responsibility.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Executive Programme for Government meeting postponement February 2025 Original release: O’Toole: Programme for Government farce underlines Executive dysfunction (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges both London and Stormont ahead of Budget
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP calls on the UK government to reform the tax system – taxing unearned wealth, raising the tax‑free childcare allowance and scrapping the two‑child limit – and urges the Northern Ireland Executive to secure greater fiscal powers and a multi‑year budget ahead of the UK 2025
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: UK Government Budget announcement on taxation and public spending Original release: SDLP challenges both London and Stormont ahead of Budget (opens in a new tab)
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Budget underlines Executive’s commitment to health – McGuigan
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA welcomes the Executive's agreed budget, saying £215 million for 2025/26 will fund cutting waiting lists and investment in elective care. He says it shows the Executive's commitment to health.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: Executive agreed 2025/26 budget with £215 million for health Original release: Budget underlines Executive’s commitment to health – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Call for updated plan to tackle waiting list crisis
DUP MLA Diane Dodds proposes an Assembly motion urging an updated plan to cut NHS waiting lists, citing an NI Audit Office report showing waiting time targets have not been met for about a decade. She calls for regional, Northern Ireland-wide service planning and partners beyond local providers…
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: NI Audit Office report on NHS waiting lists, October 2023 Original release: Call for updated plan to tackle waiting list crisis (opens in a new tab)