Dunlop welcomes jobs boost for Ballymena

Alliance Party Ballymena Representative, Jayne Dunlop, has welcomed the potential creation of 40 new jobs in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena. The initiative, which was announced by Minister David Hanson today, sees a £740,000 extension being added to an existing business centre in the area. Jayne Dunlop said: “It is great news that potentially 40 […]

Unemployment figures mask need for more jobs – ex-Lord Mayor

Alliance Party Enterprise Spokesperson David Alderdice has said the latest fall in Northern Ireland employment is encouraging, but masks the ongoing need to create well-paid jobs here. The North Down Councillor and former Belfast Lord Mayor stated: “It is excellent news that Northern Ireland has bucked the UK trend and seen another fall in unemployment. […]

Alliance puts forward strong case to save threatened school

East Belfast Alliance Assembly Member, Naomi Long, has asked SEELB Commissioners to save Lisnasharragh High School as it provides a vital service for pupils from socially and economically deprived backgrounds. Naomi Long and Castlereagh Alliance Councillor, Michael Long, led a deputation to meet SEELB Commissioners this afternoon. Cllr Naomi Long said: “I welcome the opportunity […]

Wanton destruction cannot be meekly tolerated – McCarthy

Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy has slammed those responsible for apparent arson attacks in Dungannon and leaving explosives in the grounds of a new development in County Louth, saying that such actions cannot be tolerated by the community. The Strangford Assembly Member stated: “It is nearly every day now that we are hearing of further […]

More help needed for local businesses in the wake of Prudential jobs scare – Ekin

Former Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Ekin has welcomed the announcement that 450 workers in the Prudential in Belfast that were going to lose their jobs, are to receive a reprieve. However, he stated that Northern Ireland would be in a better position to safeguard current employment and create new jobs if devolution were up and […]

Alliance Announces Benchmarks for Policing and the Rule of Law

The Alliance Party has developed a series of benchmarks for assessing the commitment of political parties to policing and the rule of law, and challenged the British and Irish governments to define what is entailed to parties ‘signing up by policing’. Alliance Party Leader, David Ford stated: “If the suspended institutions of the Agreement are […]

Alliance supports war pardons but slams their delay

Alliance Party Chief Whip, Kieran McCarthy, has welcomed the measure to give pardons to 300 First World War veterans that were executed for military offences. The move was announced today by Defence Secretary, Des Browne. The Strangford Assembly Member said: “I am glad that those who were executed for military offences in the first world […]

Alliance to meet SEELB Commissioners to plea for threatened school

East Belfast Alliance MLA Naomi Long and local Alliance Councillor Michael Long will tomorrow lead an Alliance deputation to meet with the Commissioners of the South Eastern Education and Library Board to plea for them to keep Lisnasharragh High School open. Cllr Naomi Long has welcomed the decision of the Commissioners to hear the deputations […]

Full force of law must apply to racist attackers

Alliance East Antrim Assembly member Séan Neeson has said courts must use the full force hate crime legislation to punish those guilty of racist attacks. Speaking an attack in Newtownabbey, Alderman Neeson stated: “Like most people, I am appalled at the growing number of racist attacks in Northern Ireland. “Most people will also be disappointed […]

Wise to allocate resources to tackling prescription fraud – McCarthy

Alliance Party Assembly Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy has said it is essential that prescription fraud is tackled as part of the drive to maximise efficiency in the health service. The Strangford Assembly member stated: “The Alliance Party has been challenging the Government on the waste of £1 billion each year on segregated services, and this […]