Armstrong: The Pope could and should have gone further to address victims

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said while it was “disappointing” the Pope did not go further in his comments around clerical and institutional abuse, he offered hope for the future in the strong words he shared on peace and reconciliation during his visit to Ireland. Kellie was speaking after deputising for Naomi Long at the […]

Farry says UK Government advice over no deal Brexit farcical

Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said it is “farcical” for the UK Government to suggest cross-border businesses should contact the Irish Government for advice in the event of a no deal Brexit. Dr Farry was speaking after Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab made the statement as he released the first of a series of […]

Blair calls on Consumer Council to hold more information sessions for customers

Alliance MLA John Blair has called on the Consumer Council to hold more information sessions after it was revealed some customers’ electricity tariffs could rise by almost 14 per cent.Mr Blair was speaking after Power NI said its tariffs would increase 13.8 per cent from October 1, its biggest price hike in five years. As […]

Lyttle congratulates NI pupils on GCSE results

  Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has congratulated pupils across Northern Ireland on their GCSE results. Results again improved locally, with the number of pupils awarded A* – C grades rising to 81.1 percent. Chris Lyttle MLA said: “I want to congratulate all pupils for the hard work and effort they put in to […]

Armstrong says Department needs to change funding method following housing development ban

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said the Department for Infrastructure needs to change its method of funding NI Water, after new housing developments were banned in a Co Down village following its sewage system reaching capacity. NI Water said no more homes will be built in Saintfield, as the strain on its sewage system saw […]

Lyttle says school crossing patrol removal idea proof of need for education review

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said news the Education Authority (EA) considered removing all school crossing patrols is proof the entire education system needs a Bengoa-style review. Mr Lyttle was speaking after the BBC revealed a letter from the EA in which it states it deliberated removing all lollipop men and women as […]

Blair condemns those behind attack on party’s office

Alliance MLA John Blair has condemned those behind an attack on Sinn Féin offices in West Belfast. The outside of the building at Connolly House was damaged by the arson, with paint also thrown at the front of the building. “Any attack on elected representatives or their offices is a direct attack on democracy and […]

O’Neill calls for all children to be included on funeral charge waiving scheme

Alliance East Belfast Councillor Sian O’Neill has called for refugee and asylum seeker children to be included in a scheme which will see funeral charges waived for anyone under 18 in Belfast. Councillor O’Neill was speaking after a meeting of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Cemeteries and Crematorium Working Group, at which a paper was presented […]

Alliance to bring no confidence vote in Rodgers as Council Chair

A motion of no confidence is to be brought against UUP Councillor Jim Rodgers by Alliance after concerns were raised over his behaviour in relation to his role as Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, the main decision-making Committee on the Council. Alliance Councillor Michael Long said the concerns related to […]

Lyttle congratulates A-Level pupils as they receive results

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has congratulated A-Level pupils across Northern Ireland on their hard work and endeavour as they receive their results. Around 30,000 students received their A-Level and AS-Level results today, with more boys than girls achieving the top A* grade for the first time. The percentage of entries achieving A* or […]