The Alliance Assembly Group has announced temporary changes to its procedures and practices to enable Ministers, officials and staff to devote full resources to the COVID-19 crisis, while enabling full ongoing scrutiny of Departmental work on behalf of constituents. Alliance Party MLAs will: Make strictly limited use of Assembly Written Questions; Use Assembly Committees as […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson, Kellie Armstrong MLA, has said that good governance and accountability are vital when dealing with public funding. The Strangford MLA was speaking after publication of a report from the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) into Sport NI, which is sponsored by the Department for Communities. The purpose of Sport NI is to […]
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has paid tribute to Julian Smith, after he was sacked as Secretary of State as part of a Cabinet reshuffle. Mr Smith lasted 204 days in the role, recently overseeing the talks process which led to the New Decade New Approach deal. “We have seen tributes paid from across the […]
MLA pay is set by an independent body to ensure MLAs don’t control their and their staff pay and conditions. The proposed rise is a result of the Independent Financial Review Panel determination and not a decision for MLAs. We are not happy with the timing or content of this increase and are working with […]
This needs to be the last new year without a functioning Assembly capable of delivering real progress, Alliance Leader Naomi Long MEP has said. Mrs Long said the priority at the start of 2020 was delivery of an Executive, with local parties having only days to deliver results. “Over the last year more and more […]
Any restored Assembly needs to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland, Alliance Leader Naomi Long MEP has said. Mrs Long was speaking after meeting Secretary of State Julian Smith for the first round of the new talks process. She said it was a “constructive and positive meeting,” but warned any Assembly needed reforms to […]
Reform of the Petition of Concern (POC) would allow for the return of the Assembly after the General Election, Alliance Strangford candidate Kellie Armstrong has said. Ms Armstrong said Alliance MPs in the new Westminster mandate would push for such reforms of the POC, which while designed to protect minority rights, has often been used […]
The Secretary of State needs to explain to the public what is holding back the talks process, Alliance Leader Naomi Long MEP has said. After a new ‘intensive period’ of talks were promised earlier this year, the process has again drifted. Mrs Long said bar some limited meetings between parties and the two Governments, the […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has warned that the shortage of ambulance staff resulting in longer response times is another example of the DUP’s and Sinn Féin’s neglect of their responsibilities. The South Belfast MLA said: “I commend the Ambulance Service for putting in place back-up measures in extraordinarily difficult circumstances which will ensure the […]
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MEP has said it is a “critical” week for the future of power-sharing here. Mrs Long said the selection of a new Prime Minister and a potential change in Secretary of State will alter the dynamics surrounding the ongoing talks process but it is crucial parties do not shift focus away […]