Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long has signalled her intent to commence powers including unexplained wealth orders, account freezing and forfeiture powers for law enforcement agencies, bringing Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK. In a written statement to the Assembly, the Justice Minister informed MLAs she will be writing to the Home […]
Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long has expressed her shock following the fatal shooting of a 48-year-old Garda officer. Naomi Long said: “Last night Detective Garda Colm Horkan lost his life while he was on duty, serving and protecting his local community in county Roscommon. “I want to express my sincere sympathy to his family, friends and […]
There is a need for ‘transitional protection’ to ensure those moving from legacy benefits onto universal credit do not lose out, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. The Department of Communities has confirmed its planned move to universal credit for all claimants, due in January 2021, has been postponed. This means anyone on […]
There should be an inquiry into how a Glengormley care home has been managed throughout the pandemic, Alliance Councillor Julian McGrath has said. Glenabbey Care Home has suffered 14 COVID-19-related deaths since April. The Glengormley Councillor said allegations in today’s media a small gathering or party allegedly took place in the home on March 25 […]
Alliance Ards and North Down Councillor Gillian Greer has secured the lighting up of two local landmarks to mark Children’s Hospice Week. The Council will light up McKee Clock in Bangor and Ards Arts Centre in rainbow colours on June 22, following a push from Councillor Greer. The week is designed to raise awareness and […]
The Economy and Communities Ministers should push for betting shops to reopen now other non-essential retailers have opened their doors, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. Mr Blair said betting shops were no different than other retailers which have opened their doors over the past few days, with an added advantage of avoiding the potential […]
Paula Bradshaw MLA, Alliance Party Health Spokesperson, has said we must ensure we reach the most unreachable in society, as she spoke after the All Party Group on Loneliness meeting, part of Loneliness Awareness Week. She said: “It was a timely meeting, with 75 online participants, all coming together to discuss how we can work […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said he is “deeply disappointed” after no trade unionists were appointed to a group designed to help build the Northern Ireland economy. Economy Minister Diane Dodds announced the membership of the Economic Advisory Group last night. The 11-member panel of economists, CEOs, managing directors and others, but has no trade […]
The Education Minister must follow the UK Government in pledging free school meal payments for children over the summer, Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said. Mr Lyttle, Chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee, was speaking after the Government announced a ‘COVID Summer School Fund’ to feed those in receipt of free school meals, […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has told the Assembly that people shielding should be given more detailed guidance urgently so they can make future plans, and that people with diabetes should be added automatically to the shielding list. She also expressed concern at the absence of reliable data informing the raising of future restrictions. Speaking […]