19/08/2026
McGuigan Calls Urgent Health Committee Meeting After Nesbitt Resigns
Following the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, Philip McGuigan, is convening an urgent session to assess the implications for the health service and seek clarity on next steps.
Mr McGuigan said: "As Chair of the Health Committee, I am convening an urgent meeting of the Health committee. We will ask the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health to attend so we can properly understand the impact of the resignation of Mike Nesbitt on our health service.
"The loss of Mike Nesbitt as health minister comes at a time when our health and social care system is already under immense pressure. Patients and staff need leadership, stability and clarity.
"The Committee should have the opportunity to understand what happens next, what positive role we can play to help stabilise a very difficult situation and ensure the interests of patients and staff remain paramount."
"The loss of Mike Nesbitt as health minister comes at a time when our health and social care system is already under immense pressure. Patients and staff need leadership, stability and clarity.
"The Committee should have the opportunity to understand what happens next, what positive role we can play to help stabilise a very difficult situation and ensure the interests of patients and staff remain paramount."
Latest Northern Ireland News
19 August 2026
Met Office Issues Weather Warning For Northern Ireland
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Northern Ireland, with heavy showers and thunderstorms expected to develop across the region on Wednesday. The warning, issued this morning, Wednesday, 19 August, covers County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry and County Tyrone.
Met Office Issues Weather Warning For Northern Ireland
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Northern Ireland, with heavy showers and thunderstorms expected to develop across the region on Wednesday. The warning, issued this morning, Wednesday, 19 August, covers County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry and County Tyrone.
19 August 2026
PSNI Unveils ‘Every Victim Matters’ Drive To Spotlight Male Domestic Abuse
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a new campaign, Every Victim Matters, in partnership with the Men's Advisory Project to raise awareness of domestic abuse against men and encourage those affected to come forward.
PSNI Unveils ‘Every Victim Matters’ Drive To Spotlight Male Domestic Abuse
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a new campaign, Every Victim Matters, in partnership with the Men's Advisory Project to raise awareness of domestic abuse against men and encourage those affected to come forward.
19 August 2026
Mike Nesbitt Resigns as Health Minister
Northern Ireland's Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has resigned from his post at Stormont following a disagreement over health policy with Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Leader Jon Burrows MLA.
Mike Nesbitt Resigns as Health Minister
Northern Ireland's Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has resigned from his post at Stormont following a disagreement over health policy with Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Leader Jon Burrows MLA.
19 August 2026
Groomsport Named Ireland's Best Kept Small Town
Groomsport has been crowned Ireland's Best Kept Small Town 2026, while neighbouring Donaghadee also made the finals of the prestigious all-island competition.
Groomsport Named Ireland's Best Kept Small Town
Groomsport has been crowned Ireland's Best Kept Small Town 2026, while neighbouring Donaghadee also made the finals of the prestigious all-island competition.
19 August 2026
McReynolds Urges Stronger Paternity Leave And Flexible Working
Peter McReynolds, an Alliance MLA for East Belfast, has organised the Belfast Parent Strike, part of the UK's first Parent Strike, to be held at Belfast City Hall at 12.30pm on Thursday 27 August. The day of action, coordinated by The Dad Shift and Flex Appeal, will take place in 13 locations across the UK.
McReynolds Urges Stronger Paternity Leave And Flexible Working
Peter McReynolds, an Alliance MLA for East Belfast, has organised the Belfast Parent Strike, part of the UK's first Parent Strike, to be held at Belfast City Hall at 12.30pm on Thursday 27 August. The day of action, coordinated by The Dad Shift and Flex Appeal, will take place in 13 locations across the UK.
19 August 2026
McGuigan Calls Urgent Health Committee Meeting After Nesbitt Resigns
Following the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, Philip McGuigan, is convening an urgent session to assess the implications for the health service and seek clarity on next steps.
McGuigan Calls Urgent Health Committee Meeting After Nesbitt Resigns
Following the resignation of Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, Philip McGuigan, is convening an urgent session to assess the implications for the health service and seek clarity on next steps.
19 August 2026
City Quays Gardens Wins Belfast Harbour’s First Green Flag Award
Belfast Harbour has secured its first Green Flag Award for City Quays Gardens, acknowledging the park's role in offering an inclusive, well-managed public space for visitors and residents alike.
City Quays Gardens Wins Belfast Harbour’s First Green Flag Award
Belfast Harbour has secured its first Green Flag Award for City Quays Gardens, acknowledging the park's role in offering an inclusive, well-managed public space for visitors and residents alike.
19 August 2026
Queen’s Marks 175 Years Of Community Open Learning
Queen’s University Belfast is celebrating 175 years of its Open Learning Programme as enrolment opens for the 2026/27 academic year, featuring a special anniversary course and a bursary to widen access.
Queen’s Marks 175 Years Of Community Open Learning
Queen’s University Belfast is celebrating 175 years of its Open Learning Programme as enrolment opens for the 2026/27 academic year, featuring a special anniversary course and a bursary to widen access.
19 August 2026
Lyons Meets Apprentices Safeguarding Northern Ireland's Heritage
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons visited the Department’s Moira Depot to meet participants on the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme and apprentices who are helping to protect Northern Ireland’s historic environment for future generations.
Lyons Meets Apprentices Safeguarding Northern Ireland's Heritage
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons visited the Department’s Moira Depot to meet participants on the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme and apprentices who are helping to protect Northern Ireland’s historic environment for future generations.
19 August 2026
Catherine Burns Backs Mid-Career Women As Renewables Event Returns To Belfast
Pinsent Masons senior lawyer Catherine Burns argues that supporting women at the midpoint of their careers is essential to Northern Ireland's clean energy ambitions, ahead of the Women in Renewables conference on Tuesday 15 September in Belfast.
Catherine Burns Backs Mid-Career Women As Renewables Event Returns To Belfast
Pinsent Masons senior lawyer Catherine Burns argues that supporting women at the midpoint of their careers is essential to Northern Ireland's clean energy ambitions, ahead of the Women in Renewables conference on Tuesday 15 September in Belfast.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry start in south and east, but occasionally heavy showers in north and west spreading across most areas, with the chance of thunder, showers may become slow to move away. Maximum temperature 18 °C.Tonight:Heavier showers dying out through the evening but some continuing through the night, perhaps drier in the south, feeling cooler with freshening northeasterly winds. Minimum temperature 9 °C.