SDLP Health spokesperson Mark H Durkan has welcomed the announcement by the Department of Health to adopt day case surgery hubs for specific treatments in line with the transformations outlined in the Bengoa report.

SDLP Spokesperson for Infrastructure Sinead Bradley MLA has said that statistics published by the Department for Infrastructure, highlighting that only four out of eleven local councils are meeting their fifteen week targets to process planning applications is an absolute shambles. Ms Bradley added that in the last quarter, only five councils were meeting this target, and the fact that numbers have dropped further highlights that this issue needs particular attention.

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MLA has called on the British Government to reverse its apathy toward the restoration of devolution and announce a timetable for talks led by an independent chair.

SDLP Environment Spokesperson John Dallat MLA has said that Met Office reports that Northern Ireland has already had its wettest March on record should raise serious concerns about the impact of climate change on people, businesses and communities.

SDLP Balmoral Representative Michael Mulhern has said he is outraged that a 96-year-old lady has lost sentimental jewellery after being robbed in South Belfast on Friday.