Give Police more control over alcohol supply – Farry

North Down Alliance MLA and Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has written to Security Minister David Hanson to ask him to consider a change in police powers to enable them to close off-licences and licensed premises within a designated area when there are strong grounds to suggest that massive public order problems will occur in […]

McCarthy wins Ards land battle, but war is not yet over

Strangford Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy has scored a stunning victory in his battle to save Ards coastal land. He has helped secured the future of a seafront play area and paddling pool in Donaghadee which Ards Council had threatened to turn into a car park. He called the triumph a victory for people power and […]

Castlereagh Councillor condemns trashing of Lagan College

Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Sara Duncan was horrified to learn about the overnight damage to school buses and the equipment in a portacabin building at Lagan College in Belfast, amounting to £20,000. Cllr Duncan said: “Having been a guest at Lagan College’s 25th anniversary celebrations, I was disgusted to learn that the school will have to […]

Alliance wants pledge on plastic bag levy from future Environment Minister

Alliance Environment Spokesperson Cllr Stewart Dickson has stated that the future Environment Minister Arlene Foster should pledge to introduce a levy on plastic bags, when she takes office on 8 May. He also praised Sainsbury’s ‘free bag for life’ initiative which takes place today, but said that it is no substitute for introducing plastic bag […]

Council must provide fence to protect Dundonald bomb hoax robbery residents

Following last weekend’s Dundonald bomb hoax robberies, Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Michael Long has backed local residents’ bid to get the Council to install a fence at the back of their houses in Cumberland Road. Residents presented a petition to Castlereagh Borough Council last night and Cllr Long stated that that he would be demanding more […]

Ritchie must bow to public pressure and stop loyalist paramilitary funding

Alliance Vice Chair Cllr Michael Long has stated that this week’s IMC Report has underlined the need for the SDLP’s Margaret Ritchie to stop funding for loyalist paramilitaries when she becomes Social Development Minister on 8 May. He also said that the longer this sick funding saga is allowed to continue, the greater the insult […]

Smoking ban will be a breath of fresh air for local people – Alliance

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has stated that he is looking forward to the introduction of the new smoking ban in Northern Ireland. He stated that although it will be a real challenge, it is very worthwhile because it will protect staff and customers in bars and restaurants. He also congratulated Merchant Hotel in […]

Hendron welcomes Belfast City Council anti-thug officer

Belfast Alliance Councillor Maíre Hendron, has welcomed moves by the Council to introduce an officer to tackle anti-social behaviour in parks and leisure facilities across the city. He stated that the pilot scheme which will operate across eight sites should be rolled out across the city to make local people feel safer. The Pottinger Councillor […]

Shocking peace line statistics show disgraceful extent of segregation

Following Belfast Telegraph revelations that there are 57 peace lines across Northern Ireland, Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has stated that this figure illustrated the devastating extent of segregation. He also stated that one billion pounds every year is wasted on keeping Northern Ireland a divided society. The Strangford Alliance MLA said: “The astonishingly […]