Alliance Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry MLA has introduced a Bill designed to build business confidence while maintaining the rights of employees. The Employment Bill, which will be considered by the Assembly in the New Year, is a part of a package of measures resulting from the Department of Employment and Learning’s review of […]
Alliance’s Party Council has backed the party’s leadership over its stance on the recent ‘Fresh Start’ deal. Delegates at the Council, held yesterday (Saturday) in Newtownards, heard from Alliance Leader David Ford, who said while positive elements of the deal contributed by Alliance were worthy, the overall paper could not be fully endorsed by the […]
Alliance Councillor Carole Howard is encouraging as many people as possible to shop local this Saturday, December 5, in support of local retailers. The Councillor for East Belfast was speaking a month after she officially launched Small Business Saturday – a UK-wide initiative – adding the campaign can give local retailers a vital boost in […]
Alliance Councillor Stephen Martin has said that Hilden Mill going back on the market is a wake-up call to all involved in the potential regeneration of the landmark site. The Alderman for Lisburn North added the news Clanmill’s option to purchase had fallen through was ‘disappointing’, given that the company had already put a huge […]
Councillor Nuala McAllister has welcomed Belfast City Council’s backing of an Alliance proposal that will see all future committee meetings audio recorded, including planning. The third time Alliance has raised the issue of greater openness and transparency, the party again secured a successful outcome when the issue was put to a democratic vote – despite […]
Alliance Councillor Emmet McDonough Brown has supported plans for Belfast City Council to tackle homelessness across the city. Speaking at the latest full Council meeting, the Councillor for South Belfast said that while the Council’s role is limited there is a great opportunity to show leadership on the issue. “Let me be clear, homelessness is […]
Alliance Councillor Sian O’Neill has backed plans for Nurses across Belfast to receive the freedom of the city, recognising their decades of service often during some of the darkest days of the troubles. Speaking at the latest meeting of Belfast City Council, Sian said she was ‘proud’ to support the proposal after watching her mother […]
Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has encouraged people to give their views on the need for an independent environmental protection agency (EPA). Councillor Muir was speaking after the Environment Minister launched a new discussion document entitled Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland, which talks about the potential establishment of an agency to oversee environmental issues here. He […]
Alliance Leader David Ford has paid tribute to Father Gerry Reynolds, who has passed away. Fr Reynolds, who was based in Clonard Monastery for over 30 years, was one of the key figures who helped broker the peace process. Mr Ford said Fr Reynolds made an “invaluable contribution to peace”. “Fr Reynolds was a man […]
Alliance will submit amendments to an anti-bullying bill currently going through the Assembly to help ensure homophobic and racist harassment is included. Party Education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA will move the amendments to the Addressing Bullying in Schools Bill, which received its first stage reading in the chamber today (Monday). However, there is no specific […]