‘Today is one more step in the right direction’

Alliance LGBT Convenor Micky Murray has said equal marriage is only a matter of time, after the majority of MLAs voted in favour of the equality issue during the latest vote at the Assembly. Expressing his disappointment that further progress was blocked through the petition of concern mechanism, Micky added he was delighted Alliance MLAs […]

Lunn says DUP’s blocking of equal marriage motion disappointing

Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has said the use of a petition of concern by the DUP to block today’s marriage equality motion is a sad reflection on the Assembly’s ability to legislate. Mr Lunn was speaking after MLAs voted in favour of the motion, 53-51. However, the motion, calling for the Executive to table legislation […]

Dickson condemns attack on police

Alliance Justice spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has condemned an attack on police, after a crowd of people attacked PSNI officers with missiles. Mr Dickson was speaking after the crowd in Lurgan assaulted the police with projectiles including petrol bombs and paint around 9.30pm yesterday (Friday). It followed the closure of a local railway track due […]

McAllister: I know first-hand how home care services are failing older people

Alliance Councillor Nuala McAllister has backed claims Northern Ireland’s five health trusts are at breaking point, adding her personal experience as her Grandfather’s carer opened her eyes to the fact the system is failing. Raising the issue consistently over the past few years, the Councillor for North Belfast criticised the Health Minister for failing to […]

Dickson: Flags regularly used to mark out shared space

Alliance Social Development spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has criticised the appearance of flags at a shared housing project in Newtownabbey – adding the problem is growing on both sides of the political divide. Speaking after Tricolour flags appeared at the scheme, the East Antrim MLA said in recent months flags have been used to mark […]

Kelly welcomes tougher sentences for animal cruelty

The Alliance Party’s Chair, Councillor Neil Kelly, has welcomed the Justice Minister’s decision to get tougher on animal cruelty. His comments come after the Minister announced plans to increase statutory maximum penalties for those convicted of harming animals. Councillor Neil Kelly said: “Alliance has consistently led the way in tackling all forms of animal cruelty […]

Muir: More vital changes on way for coastal path

Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has said plans to give the coastal path close to Station Road a facelift will boost tourism across the borough. The local Councillor was speaking after Ards and North Down Borough Council revealed it was searching for funding opportunities to overhaul the latest section of the coastal path – with a […]

Bangor Park could get Green Flag status

Bangor’s Castle Park could soon see it receive Green Flag status, a move Councillor Andrew Muir has been pushing for several years. The national award for public and community parks and greenspaces, the Green Flag award scheme recognises and rewards the best green spaces across the country. Council Muir had previously asked that Green Flag […]

Anderson: Potential job losses are worrying

Alliance Councillor Stuart Anderson has described reports 34 jobs could be lost at a Bangor manufacturing company as ‘extremely worrying’. The local Councillor was speaking after 3M – which manufactures masking tapes – confirmed 34 jobs were set to be impacted as the company is relocating work to Italy. Councillor Stuart Anderson said: “This is […]