Cochrane says DUP and Sinn Fein now back revenue raising

Alliance Finance spokesperson, Judith Cochrane MLA, has said that recent decisions by Sinn Fein and the DUP indicate that they both now support revenue raising measures. Last week, the DUP Health Minister made an announcement about the reintroduction of prescription charges. While Sinn Fein have a motion in the Assembly on Monday that calls on […]

McDonnell must speak out on play park name – Dickson

Alliance Justice Spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has said that SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell must speak out on his party’s position on the name of a Newry Play Park. Eight SDLP Councillors failed to attend a recent vote at Newry and Mourne Council where it was decided that the play park would continue to be named […]

Boyle – Guns have no place on our streets

Alliance Coleraine Councillor Yvonne Boyle has condemned those behind a shooting which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning. Several windows of the house on Glenvara Drive were damaged but there were no injuries. Cllr Yvonne Boyle said: “Guns have no place on our street. This sort of violence is completely unacceptable. Those […]

Long seeks meeting with Dunnes management over Connswater news

Naomi Long MP is to seek an urgent meeting with management at Dunnes Stores after it was reported the retailer is to pull out of a local shopping centre East Belfast MP Mrs Long was speaking after news broke that Dunnes could soon be leaving its unit in Connswater Shopping Centre. It follows the announcement […]

Urgent intervention needed for natural gas customers – Dickson

Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has expressed his disappointment that the Enterprise Minister has not acted quickly enough to ensure that reductions in the wholesale price of gas is passed on to domestic customers. In a written Assembly Question, she confirmed that the Utility Regulator was working to review gas tariffs with Firmus and […]

Muir welcomes approval for St Columbanus’ College growth

Alliance North Down Councillor Andrew Muir has welcomed the decision by the Education Minister to increase the capacity at St Columbanus’ College, Bangor. Enrolment will increase from 500 to 750 pupils in a phased manner between now and 2025. Cllr Andrew Muir said: “St Columbanus’ College is a very popular over-subscribed local school. The local […]

Lo says Ulster Bank jobs is excellent news for South Belfast

Alliance South Belfast MLA, Anna Lo, has welcomed the announcement by Ulster Bank that they will be creating 350 jobs in South Belfast. The jobs will be in customer services dealing with calls from Ulster Bank customers as well as for sister company RBS and Natwest. Anna Lo MLA said: “This is excellent news that […]

Lyttle calls for Translink to attend Assembly Committee to discuss fare increases

The Assembly Regional Development Committee has agreed to a request from Alliance Regional Development spokesperson, Chris Lyttle MLA, that Translink, DRD officials and the Consumer Council be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee to respond to a rise in bus and rail fares which took effect this week. Chris Lyttle MLA said: […]

Lunn – Paramilitaries have no place in our society

Alliance Policing Board member, Trevor Lunn MLA, has condemned those behind a paramilitary style shooting which took place in West Belfast on Tuesday night. Masked men forced their way into a house on Monagh Drive before shooting a 17 year old boy three times in the legs. He was taken to hospital but his condition […]