Nicholl says work still to be done to achieve full equality

Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl has said while today’s celebration of votes for women is a celebration, it also serves as a reminder of work still to be done. Councillor Nicholl, who is Convener of Alliance’s Women’s Network, was speaking after taking part in Processions, a mass participation artwork across the UK. It saw thousands of […]

Housing of animals at zoo needs urgently reviewed, says Long

Alliance Councillor Michael Long has said the housing of animals at Belfast Zoo needs urgently reviewed after an escaped monkey was killed after being hit by a car. The animal escaped from the zoo yesterday and later died after being hit by a car on the M2 motorway. Belfast City Council has said it is […]

Armstrong calls for clarification on integrated education following survey

Alliance Integrated Education spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called for clarification on what is being done to address the shortfall in school places available to families who wish their children to have an integrated education. Ms Armstrong was speaking after a survey commissioned by the Integrated Education Fund showed over 67 per cent of parents […]

Alliance welcomes latest improvements to Comber Greenway

Alliance elected representatives have welcomed the latest improvements to the Comber Greenway, which has been widened along part of its route. The path was extended between the Beersbridge Road and the Millmount Road, as well as a consultation pledged on enhanced lighting. It is part of the ‘One Path’ initiative by the Sustrans group, supported […]

Farry: UK Government must take realistic approach to proposed backstop

Alliance Party Brexit Spokesperson and Deputy Leader, Stephen Farry MLA, has said he’s “not surprised” at the latest comments from the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, adding the UK Government needs to take “a much more realistic approach” to dealing with the proposed backstop. Stephen Farry MLA said: “The UK Government and Conservative Party […]

Dickson welcomes online voter registration news

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has welcomed news voters in Northern Ireland will soon be able to register to vote online. From June 18, people in Northern Ireland will be able to register to vote on the Electoral Office website. Prior to this, voters had to download a form and then post the application. “This is […]

Grehan becomes Deputy Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh

Alliance Councillor Amanda Grehan has been elected as the new Deputy Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. Taking on the role at the Council’s annual general meeting, the local Councillor said she was ‘honoured’ to be following in the footsteps of her Alliance colleagues Councillor Stephen Martin, who previously held the role, as well […]

Armstrong says proposals to reform Petition of Concern already on table

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said proposals to reform the Petition of Concern mechanism have already been on the table for a year. Alliance proposals to reform the mechanism would see its use restricted to matters of national identity, the legacy of the conflict and the constitutional structure of Northern Ireland, with adjudication of the […]

Alliance sceptical on UK’s ‘backstop’ alternative

Alliance Party Deputy Leader and Brexit Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has expressed scepticism that the UK’s alternative ‘backstop’ proposal would be either viable or acceptable to the European Union. Stephen Farry said: “This paper is more about managing divisions in the Cabinet and Conservative Party than getting the backstop over the line. “Time is ticking by […]

Bradshaw says next step in abortion law reform is amending Petition of Concern

Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the next step in abortion law reform is the Secretary of State amending the Petition of Concern to enable a future Assembly to decide on the issue. Ms Bradshaw was speaking after this morning’s Supreme Court verdict, which found the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission had no legal standing to […]