Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said the EU’s decision to use Article 16 in a bid to control vaccine distribution is not justified or warranted. He added: “We are in the middle of a global pandemic, there are no sides in the fight against Covid. Yet this completely unjustified and unwarranted move will only serve […]
East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has called on the Economy Minister to take urgent action to ensure that all those previously excluded from Covid-19 grant schemes are provided with support before the end of the financial year. Mr Dickson said: “This has been an extremely challenging year for businesses across Northern Ireland as a […]
More must be done to support teachers, parents and pupils in remote learning, Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said, after it was announced most pupils would not return to schools until March 8 at the earliest. First Minister Arlene Foster made the announcement after a recommendation from Education Minister Peter Weir. Special schools […]
Alliance Party Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has welcomed the Health Department’s announcement that a programme of weekly testing for pupils and staff in special educational needs schools is set to be carried out in Northern Ireland. Testing is due to begin at the start of February, subject to business case approval. Paula said: “I welcome […]
Alliance representatives have condemned those who appear to have broken COVID guidelines at a republican funeral in Derry-Londonderry. John Blair MLA and Councillor Rachael Ferguson were speaking after the funeral of Eamon McCourt on Monday (January 25). Under current guidelines, only 25 people are allowed at funerals here. However, pictures from social media appear to […]
Alliance Economy Spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has welcomed the launch of two Department for the Economy Businesses Support Schemes to help local tourism and hospitality firms with some of the pressures of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Bed and Breakfast, Guest House and Guest Accommodation Scheme, and the Large Tourism and Hospitality Business Support Scheme were […]
Alliance MLAs have welcomed legislation from the Justice Minister bringing new laws on domestic abuse, saying it is more important than ever due to the pandemic. Speaking during the final stage of the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill, Kellie Armstrong MLA and John Blair MLA praised Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA and others for […]
Alliance Economy Spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has welcomed a Supreme Court decision in favour of small firms receiving pay-outs from insurance policies, as a result of disruption from the Covid-19 Pandemic. A test case was brought to the Supreme Court by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), after many insurers refused to pay to cover Covid-19 […]
Alliance MLAs Stewart Dickson and Andrew Muir have raised concerns over the increasing risk the Executive may have to hand back part of the COVID-19 support funding it has received from Westminster. Since the start of March, the Executive has received approximately £3 billion in funding to support individuals and organisations through the pandemic. However, […]
Alliance Chief Whip Kellie Armstrong MLA has written to the Assembly’s Committee for Procedures to request the possibility for MLAs to participate in plenary debate remotely. The Assembly uses the Starleaf software system for Committee rooms but unlike Westminster, there is no capacity for remote participation in the Chamber itself. Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said […]