Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said last week’s anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement should provide fresh impetus to get power-sharing talks established again immediately. The Strangford MLA has challenged the Secretary of State to inject fresh momentum into the talks process by quickly moving beyond the DUP-Sinn Féin dynamic, adding the Alliance Party’s clear […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said the Education Authority’s handling of proposals relating to special schools in Belfast has been “shambolic”. Mr Lyttle was speaking after receiving word from the Education Authority it would not be publishing proposals into the future of the schools. It was believed they were scheduled for pre-publication consultation […]
Alliance Councillor Sian O’Neill has said she’ll work closely with all involved to ensure Belfast creates a workable childcare strategy. Speaking as she backed a proposal at the latest meeting of Belfast City Council, Councillor O’Neill alluding to the “frustrating” situation women find themselves in around this issue, adding they are yet another section of […]
The SDLP have wasted the opportunity to stand up for a shared community, Alliance Councillor Andy McMurray has said, as he expressed disappointment after a motion to remove Raymond McCreesh’s name from a park in Newry failed. Speaking after the latest meeting of South Down Council – in which three SDLP Councillors abstained on the […]
Alliance Leader Naomi Long has said the vision and values of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) are more important than ever, 20 years after it was signed. Mrs Long was speaking as the GFA celebrated its 20th anniversary. She said while many were dismissive of the agreement and what it achieved, its full potential was […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has queried the Department of Health on where the detail is on the allocation of £30 million extra for delivering measures to eradicate the waiting lists backlog. The South Belfast MLA stated: “At a Departmental Briefing nearly three weeks ago, MLAs were promised detail on clear measures to tackle waiting […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry has given a “guarded welcome” to the announcement that three loyalist paramilitary organisations will now support the rule of law, adding it was “disappointing” these conversations where still ongoing 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement. He also stressed that any new approach must be properly verified through the Independent […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has welcomed news that the Attorney General has directed a fresh inquest into the death of Claire Roberts in 1996, having met the family just before Easter. The South Belfast MLA stated: “It will come as considerable relief to Claire Roberts’ family that a fresh inquest will now be conducted. […]
Alliance Councillor Michael Long has expressed shock after the death of a man in suspicious circumstances in South Belfast. Two men in their 30s have been arrested on suspicion of murder, following the death of the 29-year-old. Police were called to a house in Titania Street off the Cregagh Road shortly after midnight. The victim […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said violence is never the answer, after Gerry Adams said it was justified in order to reach political aims in certain circumstances. The former Sinn Féin president was speaking to a German website when he was asked if violence was a legitimate means to reach aims. He replied: “I think […]