There is a need to end the categorisation of healthcare for trans people as mental and behavioural disorders, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. Ms Armstrong was speaking after quizzing Health Minister Robin Swann on his plans to depathologise trans healthcare, following the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s recent move to do the same. The Minster […]
Alliance Leader Naomi Long has offered congratulations to the first same-sex couple to be married in Northern Ireland. Mrs Long said: “I would offer sincere congratulations to Sharni Edwards and Robyn Peoples as they start their new life together as a married couple. “This day has been a long time coming and is as […]
Alliance Councillor Billy Webb has welcomed Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s setting of its residential rates to 1.99 per cent, the lowest increase across Northern Ireland since the creation of the ‘super councils’ in 2015. Councillor Webb was speaking after the Council announced the increase, which comes into effect on April 1. “I am pleased […]
A huge burden on families across Antrim and Newtownabbey will be lifted with easier access to pre-worn school uniforms, Alliance’s Julian McGrath has said, after his proposal for a scheme providing them took a step closer to being realised. Alderman McGrath said he was delighted with the backing from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Community […]
Those who threw a petrol bomb at a house in Dungannon containing a young child and baby were guilty of an “abhorrent” act, Alliance’s Matthew Beaumont has said. The party’s Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative was speaking following the incident at the house in the Killymaddy Hill area. Police received a report of two people […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has said that service animals need full legal protection. Mr Blair was speaking in support of an Assembly Motion to recognise the invaluable work of service animals used by the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Prison Service. The Motion called for legislation making it an offence […]
There are far more pressing infrastructure needs in Northern Ireland than a proposed bridge to Scotland, Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir has said. North Down MLA Mr Muir was speaking after the UK Government said work was under way to look at the idea, with rumoured routes being to North Down, East Antrim or North […]
Alliance Alderman Yvonne Boyle has said whoever was behind a shooting in the Loughanhill Park area of Coleraine on Sunday night needs to be put before the courts. Alderman Boyle said: “We are long past the time when guns should have been taken taken off our streets. It is unbelievable that gun carrying masked men […]
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has called on the Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to provide up to date information to motorists on MOT testing. Mr Muir said: “The most recent statement about MOT testing on the nidirect website is dated 27 January and states all testing is suspended. This is not accurate as testing […]
Alliance MLAs Kellie Armstrong and Chris Lyttle have said each of us have a role to play in stopping bullying in society. The MLAs were speaking after chairing sections of an anti-bullying young people’s forum at Parliament Buildings. It saw pupils from 34 schools discuss different issues relating to bullying. “This event discussed bullying in […]