The UK Government triggering Article 16 would achieve nothing except making negotiations of solutions to issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol more difficult, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. The Alliance Deputy Leader said the move, which has been hinted at by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is “not the silver bullet its advocates believe”. “We […]
Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has said the introduction of support services for prison officers by the Justice Minister is a vital move. It comes after Naomi Long announced former prison staff would benefit from the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust services, following a report commissioned by the Alliance Minister in January had made the recommendation. […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the launch of an investment in diagnostic services known as “Laboratory Information Management System” (LIMS). This will cover cancer and blood services as well as helping with demand arising from COVID-19. The South Belfast MLA stated: “I welcome this key investment to move our health service into […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has welcomed the impending changes to local licensing laws, which will come into effect later this week. The changes, which will begin on Friday, include pubs and hotels being allowed to open until 2am up to 104 nights a year, drinking-up time being increased to an hour and the […]
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has said we must do all we can to provide access to truth, justice and accountability for families of victims, after the Assembly backed an Alliance amendment to a motion on legacy issues. The amendment reiterated the Assembly’s opposition to UK Government plans for an amnesty for those being investigated over […]
The Department for the Economy needs to outline what steps it is taking to support businesses once furlough ends this week, Alliance Economy spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said. The financial support scheme was introduced at the start of the pandemic, to pay 80 per cent of an organisation’s wage bill, to keep staff on […]
East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has commended today’s announcement that the global online retailer ASOS is to invest £14m in a new tech hub in Belfast. Mr Dickson said: “Today’s announcement is very welcome, and credit must be given to the hard work and dedication of Invest NI and Department for the Economy for […]
There should be no further delay to reinstating full day centre and respite care for carers, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. Throughout the pandemic, social distancing rules have limited the amount of day centre provision for people with disabilities and older people. However, with some restrictions easing, Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said now was […]
Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has said people must grasp the opportunity to reshape education, after the independent review panel was appointed by the Education Minister. Mr Lyttle was speaking after Michelle McIlveen announced the panel, made up of educational consultant Dr Kier Bloomer, former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sir Gerry Loughran, principal […]
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said full financial transparency is needed over future renewable energy schemes after a report into generating electricity from renewable energy was unable to determine if one was delivered at the lowest cost to the consumer. The Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation scheme was introduced in 2005 by the Department of Enterprise, […]