Alliance Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown has welcomed the potential ending of free car parking in Belfast city centre over the Christmas period. The move was decided by a Council Committee last night. It will now go before full Council next month. Last year, 1,500 spaces were provided free of charge in evenings and on weekends in […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has accused the Education Minister of being “dismissive” of a leaked document which reportedly recommended the end of academic selection here. The Investigating Links in Achievement and Deprivation (Iliad) report was commissioned by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in March 2012. The three-year study […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has secured an agreement from the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) for it to share its October Monitoring Round, despite previous claims it wouldn’t be producing such a document. It follows an Executive announcement it would not be bringing future Monitoring Rounds to Departmental Committees for scrutiny, a move Ms Armstrong said […]
Naomi Long MLA has signalled her intention to submit nomination papers for the position of Alliance Leader. With nominations open until 5pm on Wednesday, East Belfast MLA Mrs Long is currently the only person who has declared for the post. A new Leader will be selected at a special Alliance Party Council on October 26, […]
In a landmark vote, the Assembly has backed an Alliance amendment recognising the critical importance of the EU Single Market for Northern Ireland’s future competitiveness. The vote on the amendment, which came during a DUP motion on exports, was also backed by the UUP, SDLP and Sinn Fein, but opposed by the DUP, TUV and […]
Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has supported calls for funding for an educational awareness and physical education programme in schools. Mr Lyttle was speaking ahead of an Assembly debate on encouraging healthier lifestyles for school children. Chris Lyttle said: “The Department of Education’s own guidance recommends children should participate in a minimum of 2 hours’ physical […]
Alliance South Antrim MLA David Ford has expressed his condolences following the death of Orange Order Grand Secretary Drew Nelson. Mr Nelson passed away at the age of 60 following a long-term battle with cancer. He was the Order’s grand secretary from 2004. “Drew played a key role in the Orange Order in recent years, […]
Alliance’s Stephen Farry has spoken in the Assembly about recent tragedies in Haiti and Aleppo. Speaking during a Matter of the Day on the situation in Aleppo, Stephen Farry said: “At the outset, I also make reference to the humanitarian situation in Haiti due to Hurricane Matthew and recognise the hundreds of people who lost […]
Alliance Councillor David Armitage has called for observance of World Mental Health Day in recognition of the impact of mental health issues on so many families. Councillor Armitage said: “Mental health issues come in all shapes and sizes and impact not just on the individual, but their immediate families also. It is vital that citizens […]
Alliance’s acting Leader, Naomi Long MLA, has said it is time for political parties in Northern Ireland to come clean about who funds them. Currently, donations over £7500 from a single source are made public in the rest of the UK, but not Northern Ireland. Mrs Long was speaking following publication of a report from […]