Farry tells MPs of importance of listening to real voice of Northern Ireland during Brexit negotiations

Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said it is important the real voice of Northern Ireland is heard at a critical time in Brexit negotiations, as he meets with MPs ahead of crucial votes next week. Dr Farry will be meeting with members from Labour and the Liberal Democrats before votes next week on […]

McReynolds says audio recording of Council working groups a major win for ratepayers

Alliance Councillor Peter McReynolds has said the audio recording of Belfast City Council working groups is a “major win” for ratepayers. East Belfast Councillor Mr McReynolds was speaking after the first recordings of the working groups were uploaded to the Council website. It marks a successful campaign by Councillor McReynolds, who said it was an […]

Bradshaw says Magdalene Laundries apology emphasises need to restore devolution and implement Hart recommendations

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said an apology to those who suffered abuse in Magdalene Laundries emphasises the need to restore devolution, implement the Hart Inquiry recommendations, and deliver an inquiry into the mother and baby homes. Ms Bradshaw was speaking after Irish President Michael D Higgins apologised to thousands of women who […]

Farry expresses regret over potential job losses at Wrightbus

Alliance Economy spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has expressed regret after Wrightbus warned up to 95 jobs could be lost at the company. The Ballymena manufacturer said it was the result of low levels of demand for their buses in the UK market. It follows 95 jobs being lost at Wrightbus in February. “The news of […]

Lyttle hosts celebration event for parental support in education charity

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has hosted a celebration event for a charity supporting parental participation in education. Parentkind, the new name for PTA UK, looks to champion the role of parents in education and school life to education interest groups and policy makers. The Alliance Education spokesperson said it played an important part in putting […]

Armstrong calls for consultation on broadband investment to be as extensive as possible

Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called on the Department of the Economy to ensure consultation for the tender for £150 million investment in high speed broadband to be as extensive as possible. The Department has indicated it will consult with businesses late summer and early September and then ask the public to identify […]

Armitage calls on Council to recognise victims of Srebrenica massacre

Alliance Councillor David Armitage has called on Belfast City Council to recognise all the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, adding it gave the Council another opportunity to stand up against hate. The massacre in July 1995 saw more than 8,000 Muslim men killed and 20,000 Muslim women raped in the Bosnian town by the Serbian […]

Missed opportunity for Belfast over liberalising Sunday opening hours, says Nicholl

Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl has said it is a missed opportunity for Belfast after Councillors rejected her proposal to liberalise Sunday opening hours in the city. Councillor Nicholl proposed reversing the decision taken at a Council Committee meeting last month to reject major retailers being able to extend opening hours on up to 18 Sundays […]

Carve-up scheme between DUP and Sinn Féin should be halted, says Long

Alliance Councillor Michael Long has called for a controversial scheme which handed out hundreds of thousands of pounds of ratepayers’ money without proper checks to be halted. Last month, the DUP, Sinn Féin and PUP agreed to give £400,000 to community groups for diversionary activities related to July and August bonfires. However, no process appeared […]

McDonough-Brown becomes Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast

Alliance Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown has become Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, after he was selected by his Council colleagues on Monday night. The Councillor for South Belfast said he was ‘delighted and proud’ to have backing of his party, for a role he will take on for the next 12 months. He added: “I’m absolutely […]