Lo blasts Sinn Fein MLAs who let down students in Assembly fees vote

Alliance Employment and Learning Spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has hit out at the Sinn Fein MLAs who did not vote against student fees increases in the Assembly today. South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo said: “Where were the Sinn Fein MLAs who oppose student fees but did not vote against them today? Are some people […]

Alliance Leader sets the ball rolling on local Climate Change Commission

Alliance Leader David Ford has launched a campaign to create a Northern Ireland Commission to address climate change. He said that there are targets to be met and Northern Ireland is lagging behind other parts of the UK on environmental protection. His call for the creation of the Commission came as the Assembly today agreed […]

Lo says save our arts – Executive must provide more cash

After attending today’s demonstration at Stormont, Alliance MLA Anna Lo has reiterated her support for the arts and called on the Executive to increase funding to secure its future. She said that a strong arts sector is vital to enhance tourism. South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo said: “Our arts sector needs far more support. […]

Lo says ‘when will Executive deliver radical plans on affordable housing?’

Alliance Social Development Spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has challenged the Executive to be innovative to tackle the massive problems regarding creating affordable housing. The Executive has only offered aims but set out no actions or measurable timeframes. South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo said: “The Executive’s plans contain nothing concrete on solving affordable housing problems. […]

Alliance Leader praises Harold Good on the eve of peace award presentation

Alliance Leader David Ford has commended the reconciliation work of Rev Harold Good on the day before he will be presented with this year’s World Methodist Peace award. The award ceremony is taking place tomorrow and previous winners of the accolade include Nelson Maldela and Jimmy Carter. David Ford said: “Having known Harold since 1973, […]

Alliance appeals to all MLAs to speak out against ‘devastating’ health budget

Alliance Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has called on MLAs from all parties, inside and outside of the Executive to voice their real concerns about the budget’s negative impact on the health service. His comments follow the Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride’s revelations that up to 45,000 older women will miss out on breast […]

Alliance attacks Burnside and UUP on ‘waste of time’ Royal Commission debate

Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has launched a stinging attack on the David Burnside and the Ulster Unionist party over their outdated motion calling for a Royal Commission on the future of the UK, which inevitably led to divisive constitutional-issue rhetoric in the Assembly yesterday. Trevor Lunn MLA said: “Six people died on our roads over […]

Alliance Protest at redundant christmas tree ‘saves ratepayers £50,000 a year’

Alliance Vice Chair and Castlereagh Councillor Michael Long has revealed that a Christmas tree bought by two DUP Councillors who took a trip to Tuscany in 1999 just to buy it has finally provided some cheer for ratepayers. The apparently reusable tree, which cost ratepayers £6000, was only used for 3 years before the Council […]

Three hour traffic delays show that Executive has to improve public transport

Following three hour traffic delays in parts of Belfast last night, East Antrim Alliance MLA Séan Neeson has demanded that the Executive face up to this problem and invest far more money in public transport. The traffic chaos came as a result of accidents in Carnmoney, Greenisland and Dundonald. The Opposition MLA said: “Its time […]

£25 million boost for fishing industry welcome but Executive must do more

Strangford Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy has welcomed news that the Northern Ireland fishing industry is to gain a £25 million boost, but said more still needs to be done by the Executive to assist this sector. The announcement is to be made by Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew today as she visits local fishing ports. Kieran […]