New super councils will hit many Castlereagh ratepayers very hard – Alliance

Alliance Vice Chair and Castlereagh Councillor Michael Long has stated that the creation of the new super councils will hit ratepayers who are now in Castlereagh but will soon be within the Belfast boundary. He stated that this change has caused worry and confusion among those affected, as they will see large rates hikes when […]

Newtownabbey Mayor welcomes new school building

Newtownabbey Mayor Lynn Frazer has welcomed the official opening of a new building for Hill Croft Special School. The building, which cost £5.6 million, was opened by Education Minister Maria Eagle. Lynn Frazer called on education boards to prioritise special educational needs funding, not threaten to cut it. The Alliance Councillor said: “I am please […]

Alliance welcomes tax report and demands tax-varying powers for Northern Ireland

Alliance Economy Spokesperson, Sean Neeson MLA, has welcomed today’s draft report on corporation tax and has demanded tax-varying powers for Northern Ireland to help boost the economy. The East Antrim Assembly Member stated: “I welcome the draft report on corporation tax. Northern Ireland must be given tax-varying powers to help strengthen the local economy. “Since […]

Alliance Leader thanks Close and praises him for his courage and hard work

Alliance Leader David Ford has thanked Seamus Close for all his hard work for the party and has commended his courage in campaigning for Alliance during the difficult decades of the Troubles. His comments come as Seamus Close announced that he is not contesting any further elections. David Ford stated: ” I wish to thank […]

Alliance welcomes housing scheme for Woodstock Road

Belfast Alliance Councillor Maíre Hendron has backed a £140,000 Housing Executive improvement scheme for East Belfast. This work will be carried out on the areas around the housing on the Woodstock Road. The Alliance Councillor for the area, Maíre Hendron said: “I welcome this scheme as it will provide a boost to the local area […]

Time to act to stop long waits at airport security as they may harm local business

Alliance Party Spokesperson, Cllr Tom Campbell has called on government, airports and airlines to hire more security staff to stop long waits at airports. He said that these long waits might negatively affect local businesses because they deter businesses executives from making regular journeys to Northern Ireland. Newtownabbey Councillor Tom Campbell said: “Government, in consultation […]

Inclusion of women in politics is essential to make political progress

Alliance Party Chair Yvonne Boyle has stated that the inclusion of women in local politics is essential in order to make political progress. She spoke as she took part in an event focusing on encouraging women into political and public life, hosted by Peter Hain, which is taking place at Hillsborough today. Alliance sent a […]

Planners’ policy on phone masts must change – Alliance

Alliance Deputy Leader, Naomi Long MLA has stated that planning policy on phone masts must change as it plays right into the hands of phone companies. Currently planning policy stops mast sharing instead of encouraging it. Encouraging mast sharing would stop large numbers of masts appearing in certain areas. The East Belfast Assembly Member said: […]

Alliance demands immediate action to combat poverty in Northern Ireland

Alliance Party Assembly Member, Kieran McCarthy has backed government efforts to combat poverty, and demanded that real action be taken immediately to help fight this problem. He also stated that more could be spend on fighting poverty if government stopped wasting 1 billion pounds every year on keeping Northern Ireland divided. His demands follow today’s […]

Alliance Party of Northern Ireland – Response to the ‘St. Andrews Agreement’

Response to the ‘St. Andrews Agreement’ General The Alliance Party will do everything within its capacity to promote and deliver genuine, stable and sustainable power-sharing, support and respect for the rule of law, and the creation of a shared future in Northern Ireland. The St. Andrews Agreement has the potential to bind the DUP into […]