Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said a House of Lords vote to adopt an amendment to the Brexit Bill requiring the Government to negotiate a fresh customs union with the EU is an encouraging step in avoiding a hard border. Peers voted 348 to 225 in favour of a plan requiring Ministers to […]
Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl has said the findings of a consultation into Sunday trading hours show the majority of people in Belfast back extending them. Councillor Nicholl was speaking ahead of a meeting of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on Friday at which the results of a public consultation into whether the […]
A second referendum should be held on the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU, Alliance West Tyrone Westminster candidate Stephen Donnelly has said. Mr Donnelly said a year out from Brexit, the best way through the process was for the UK to remain within a customs union with the EU and Northern Ireland […]
Alliance MLA David Ford has written to party leaders asking them to join him in calling for a review of how criminal law operates in light of the recent high-profile rape trial here. Mr Ford said the trial at Belfast Crown Court highlighted a number of issues of concern regarding the application of the law […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has suggested if a motion seeking the suspension of the use of surgical mesh passes the House of Commons it should be clarified by the UK Government that the suspension will also apply in Northern Ireland. The motion, being brought by Labour MP Emma Hardy tomorrow (Thursday), follows scores […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said proper reform of our teacher training system is needed. Mr Lyttle was speaking after the relaunch of the Investing in the Teaching Workforce scheme by the Department of Education. It will see teachers aged over 55 retire early in 2018/19 and be replaced by those who have […]
Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has expressed concern at the latest round of cuts to arts funding, as 43 organisations had their funding cut due to budget pressures on the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The cumulative loss to the sector over the past six years now stands at £23 million. “Alliance supports increased […]
Alliance Councillor Emmet McDonough Brown has welcomed the launch of Northern Ireland’s first Residents’ Parking Scheme, which went live in South Belfast today. A supporter of the scheme, the South Belfast Councillor said it was hopefully the start of move to come, helping local residents park with ease close to their homes. Emmet McDonough Brown […]
Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has said it is “deeply concerning” the UK authorised air strikes in Syria without Parliamentary approval and lacking any clear strategy for ending the conflict in the country. Mr Lunn was speaking as Prime Minister Theresa May faced questions in Parliament about the action, which saw the UK join the US […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said last week’s anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement should provide fresh impetus to get power-sharing talks established again immediately. The Strangford MLA has challenged the Secretary of State to inject fresh momentum into the talks process by quickly moving beyond the DUP-Sinn Féin dynamic, adding the Alliance Party’s clear […]