Alliance Justice spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said it is worrying the PSNI is subsidising the firearm licensing system here by almost £300,000, with no clear plan to achieve full cost recovery. Mr Dickson was responding to the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on firearms licensing in Northern Ireland. Among the issues, it states while […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said proposed changes to the Ambulance Service should be backed as an urgent part of the health transformation programme.The South Belfast MLA was speaking after the service launched a consultation on the proposed changes, which include improving how calls are handled to identify sicker patients faster, and creating […]
Alliance MLAs have welcomed a review into children’s mental health services but warned it shows political priorities have to change. Paula Bradshaw MLA and Chris Lyttle MLA said the Children Commissioner’s report was correct in stating the system was left wanting in several areas. “I commend the Children’s Commissioner for taking on this review. Sadly, […]
Ards and North Down Alliance Councillors Andrew Muir and Gavin Walker have expressed their bitter disappointment after plans to express support for local LGBT people were overturned tonight. Passed at committee earlier this month, the plans would have seen the Council pledge that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people are accepted and valued as equal […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed that new initiatives on suicide prevention are ongoing despite the lack of a Minister but added a quick and public evaluation will be necessary. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride said a new strategy had been finalised but to date had […]
Alliance South Antrim MLA John Blair has said he is disappointed after Norwegian Air confirmed it was pulling its transatlantic routes from Belfast International Airport.The airline, who launched the flights to New York and Boston last year, said they would not be continuing following a review of its services. The last flight is now due […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has called for the rhetoric against the backstop to be de-escalated and the wider political and economic interests of Northern Ireland to be understood, compared to the distorted views of the DUP. “This is a time of huge political crisis for the UK and for Northern Ireland in particular. […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has condemned a paramilitary-style assault on a teenager outside Ballymoney, and said there needs to be a continued challenge to those behind such incidents. The incident happened around 3.30am today (Sunday) at a property in Moneycannon Road. The 18-year-old was shot once in each arm and leg by intruders. He was […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said the Prime Minister’s escalation of language around Brexit negotiations is a potentially “grave and historic mistake”. Dr Farry was speaking after Theresa May said talks had reached an impasse, with the rejection of her Chequers Plan by the EU as “not acceptable”. “The Prime Minister has placed […]
Alliance has selected Lauren Gray to contest the Carrickfergus Castle by-election next month.The Carrickfergus native said she was looking forward to engaging with local people over the next few weeks, adding it was an important opportunity for the people of Carrick to have their say on a number of local issues. A former journalist who […]