Dickson welcomes approval of Belfast Rapid Transit plans

Alliance Regional Development spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has welcomed news that the Executive has given approval for the Belfast Rapid Transit plans to go to the design and implementation stage. Stewart Dickson MLA said: “Belfast is in need of a large scale investment in public transport and, in particular, a form of rapid transit found […]

Dunlop says further Patton jobs losses is a devastation blow for the area

Alliance Ballymena Councillor Jayne Dunlop has said that the extra 54 workers who will be made redundant at Patton Construction firm will be a further devastating blow the local area. 190 jobs have already been lost at the firm earlier this month. Cllr Jayne Dunlop said: “These further job losses will be another devastating blow […]

Castlereagh Alliance motion calling for recording of meetings defeated by Unionists

An Alliance motion in Castlereagh calling for a feasibility study into sound recording of council meetings has been defeated by Unionists. Councillor Tim Morrow and Councillor Carole Howard brought the motion to Castlereagh Borough Council this week, asking for consideration to be given to the recording of main Council and Committee meetings. The Councillors brought […]

Long regrets Thales job losses.

East Belfast MP Naomi Long has said the loss of 50 jobs at defence engineering firm Thales in her constituency is deeply regrettable, particularly given the highly specialist nature of their employment. Having spoken with both management and the Minister for Employment and Learning, Mrs Long added that she was reassured all options to find […]

Lyttle welcomes Employment Programme for East & South Belfast

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed the launch of Rapid Impact in East and South Belfast. The scheme is supported by the Department of Employment and Learning Steps to Work Programme under Bryson Skills and will be delivered in partnership by Penna Consulting and GEMS. The scheme will initially target 300 people for employability preparation, […]

Lunn – Robinson comments on integrated education would mean more if they were genuine

Alliance Education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has stated that Peter Robinson’s comments on integrated education would mean more if they were genuine. in the run up to the DUP conference, Robinson said: “that he would have loved to have been able to announce that we were going the whole way on shared education, but unfortunately […]

Dickson voices concerns over Roads Service and NI Water plans

Alliance Party East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has said it remains to be seen if plans put in place by Roads Service and NI Water will be enough to keep homes and travel networks operating smoothly as winter approaches. The MLA was speaking after he attended a briefing on the Winter Readiness Programme by the […]

Cochrane urges company that will carry out disability assessment to be flexible towards the most vulnerable

Alliance Social Development spokesperson Judith Cochrane MLA has again raised concerns about the health and disability assessment process for the new Personal Independent Payment (PIP) which will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for work-aged claimants, and has urged Capita, the company that has been awarded the contract, to be as flexible as possible in the […]

Dickson says G8 is an opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland

Alliance Chief Whip, Stewart Dickson MLA, has said that the decision to host next year’s G8 meeting at the Lough Erne resort near Enniskillen offers an opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to the world. He said: “The decision itself demonstrates trust in Northern Ireland’s ability to host political gatherings at the highest level. “When global […]