Public inquiry needed into illegal waste dumping, say Alliance Councillors

Alliance Derry City and Strabane Councillors Philip McKinney and Rachael Ferguson have said a public inquiry is needed into the dumping of illegal waste on the Mobuoy site. Councillor McKinney and Councillor Ferguson were speaking after a visit from colleague Andrew Muir, Alliance’s Infrastructure spokesperson, to the local area on a range of issues. They […]

Lyttle welcomes review into health and wellbeing services available to former prison officers

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed the announcement of an urgent review into the health and wellbeing services available to former prison officers. The review into the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust (PRRT) by the Department of Justice will look at the services available to former prison officers and identify if additional provision is appropriate. […]

Lyttle expresses serious concern over Education Authority management changes

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has expressed serious concern after the Education Authority announced changes had taken place to its management arrangements for special educational needs (SEN). Mr Lyttle, Chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee, was speaking after Education Authority officials at today’s sitting of the Committee revealed there had been ‘changes to the […]

Minister must heed warning on community pharmacies, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the Health Minister must heed the warning and take immediate action to avoid industrial action by community pharmacists, after they voted to press ahead with it as a last resort. The South Belfast MLA stated: “I have been standing with community pharmacists warning about the growing crisis […]

Farry joins other MPs to speak out against trophy hunting

Alliance MP Stephen Farry has joined other MPs to speak out against trophy hunting, calling for a complete ban on the activity. MPs from a number of parties combined to sign a letter from animal welfare organisations Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting and Humane Society International, stating trophy hunting has ‘devastating’ impacts on many species’ […]

Bradshaw welcomes pay parity and safe staffing resolution

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the announcement by trade unions they have accepted new arrangements on safe staffing, alongside pay parity with the rest of the UK. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Unison and Unite agreed the way forward with the Department of Health, although NIPSA is continuing its industrial action. […]