Former Alliance Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed the publication by the Department of Justice of its review of sentencing policy in Northern Ireland. David Ford said: “Today’s publication has its origins in work done in the early days of the devolution of Justice. Both the Lord Chief Justice and officials in the Department have […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has called on Parliament to extend mitigations offsetting the impact of welfare reform in Northern Ireland. Mr Lunn said a recent joint report from the House of Commons Work and Pensions and Northern Ireland Affairs Committees, which recommended continuing mitigations for a further four years from 2020, showed the […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the plans for new investment in GP services are welcome, but cautioned there is still a significant financial shortfall. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after the announcement of £26.76 million for GP services in Northern Ireland, including up to £18.17 million for the continuation of transformation […]
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson, Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong, has congratulated Translink on a successful first year of Glider operations across Belfast. Kellie Armstrong commented: “Investment in modern vehicles has delivered the intended outcome with more people choosing public transport to move across Belfast. The introduction of Glider a year ago was met with opposition from […]
The Alliance Party has backed Belfast City Council’s calls for the PSNI to take robust action against those who continue to be involved in aggravated trespass at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site, ensuring reports of intimidation and threats are properly investigated. The Party made the call as the Leisure Centre entered into another day of […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry has congratulated Jo Swinson MP on her election as new leader of the Liberal Democrats. The 39-year-old MP for East Dunbartonshire, who was previously party deputy leader, will succeed Sir Vince Cable. “I want to warmly congratulate Jo Swinson on her election as Liberal Democrat leader,” said Dr Farry. “While […]
Alliance Councillor Ross McMullan has called on Belfast City Council to make it financially easier for local people to tackle concerns over high hedges. As it stands, where mediation fails in dealing with concerns around high hedges – which can often be a real nuisance and sense of frustration and stress for people affected – […]
“Hyperbolic rhetoric” from Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson will do nothing but divide our society further, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. Mr Blair was speaking after Ms Anderson’s speech at a hunger strike commemoration rally in Strabane, in which she said the UK Government’s “days were numbered in Ireland,” “you will not be closing […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said she is disappointed the BBC has scrapped free TV licences as standard for over 75-year-olds. Households with one person who receives pension credit will still be eligible for a free licence from June 2020. Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said it wasn’t enough for many. “It is disappointing the BBC […]
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 […]