Only a matter of time before marriage equality a reality here, says Alliance LGBT

Alliance LGBT Chair Micky Murray has said it is only a matter of time before equal marriage becomes legal in Northern Ireland, after the Secretary of State said it could be introduced via Westminster. Karen Bradley said while it should be a matter for Stormont, if it was raised at Westminster, the Government would allow […]

Armstrong reiterates call for independent talks mediator after ‘draft agreement’ text published

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has reiterated calls for an independent mediator for talks, after the publication of text alleged to be a draft agreement between the DUP and Sinn Féin. Journalist Eamonn Mallie published part of the text on his website this evening. He also claims ‘definitive proof’ of correspondence between senior personnel of both […]

Secretary of State needs to go further if Executive to be restored, says Long

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said the Secretary of State needs to go further than steps she outlined today if an Executive is to be restored. Mrs Long was speaking after Karen Bradley’s speech to the House of Commons, which stated she would take steps to provide clarity on the Budget and also decide […]

Bradshaw says more investment needed in arts sector

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has said more investment needs to take place in the arts, after a major event looking at the contribution of the sector here. The Big Arts Debate, which took place in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings, was designed to allow MLAs and others to hear directly from the creative community […]

Maximum EU security co-operation vital for Northern Ireland, says Farry

Alliance Brexit Spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said Northern Ireland would be particularly impacted by security deficits resulting from anything less than full EU membership. Dr Farry was speaking after a speech by Prime Minister Theresa May to the Munich Security Conference, in which she asked for a UK-EU security arrangement to replicate existing ones. […]

Alliance welcomes Drumragh expansion plans

Alliance representatives have welcomed a decision to increase both admission and enrolment numbers at Drumragh Integrated College. Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA and Alliance West Tyrone spokesperson Stephen Donnelly were speaking after it was revealed Drumragh’s long fought for development proposal had finally succeeded. “Drumragh has been over-subscribed for the majority of the past decade […]

Nicholl welcomes consultation on holiday resort plans

Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl has welcomed moves towards Belfast City Centre being re-designated as a holiday resort, as a planned consultation on the issue was approved. Aiming to increase the opening hours of many shops and services on 18 Sundays throughout the year, the Alliance Councillor for Balmoral said the incentive was about offering ‘full […]

Donnelly says industrial strategy needs to be a priority

Alliance representative Stephen Donnelly has said an industrial strategy needs to be a priority for any new Executive, after a construction company said it was considering closing its plant in Magherafelt. Acheson and Glover said it would be consulting with its workforce over the potential closure, which could see the loss of up to 45 […]

Long says it is a sad day for the peace process and wider Northern Ireland

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said it is a sad day for the peace process and wider Northern Ireland, after the DUP appeared to pull the plug on the talks. “We were concerned as long ago as last June the two largest parties were not willing to make the compromises necessary to get devolution […]

Ballyholme set for regeneration following Alliance campaign

Bangor Central Councillor Karen Douglas has welcomed proposals set to regenerate the Ballyholme Promenade area – a move she has consistently fought for in recent months. Part of the wider Coastal Masterplan from Pickie to Ballyholme, the announcement was made following shortly after Councillor Douglas had presented a motion to Council on the issue. She […]