Alliance will engage in legacy discussions but to fight against amnesty proposals, says Long

Alliance will engage in any discussions about the legacy process but with the desire to fight against the UK Government’s proposals for a Troubles amnesty, party Leader Naomi Long MLA has said. She was speaking during an Assembly debate on the UK Government’s legacy proposals, which would see an end to prosecutions for Troubles-related murder, […]

Greater clarity needed on vaccines for 12-17 year olds, says Bradshaw

Greater clarity is needed from the UK Government on advice it is receiving from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) concerning vaccinations for teenagers, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said. The UK Government’s Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the JCVI has recommended children who are either almost 18, vulnerable or who […]

Dickson voices dismay over Minister’s inability to accept share for consequences of Brexit on community schemes

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has voiced his dismay at the Economy Minister’s inability to accept his share of responsibility for the consequences of Brexit on funding for community schemes. Mr Dickson was speaking after asking Gordon Lyons for his assessment of the recently launched UK Community Renewal Fund and to detail the Department’s engagement with […]

Blair considers proposals for badger cull morally indefensible

Alliance MLA John Blair has said the proposed culling of badgers, as part of a strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis from Northern Ireland, is “morally indefensible”. He was speaking after the launch of a consultation into the strategy by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Mr Blair said whilst he was supportive of […]

Bradshaw concerned about outcomes of review into RQIA board resignations

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has expressed concerns about the outcome of a review into resignations of the board of the watchdog responsible for oversight of care homes, especially the broader comments regarding governance overall. The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) saw its board resign en masse last June, claiming they were not […]

Lavery says UVF facades attempt to intimidate residents

Alliance Lurgan Councillor Peter Lavery has said the erection of UVF facades on a building is simply an attempt to intimidate local residents. The signs, from the Mid-Ulster UVF and associated other paramilitaries, replaced facades of Edward Carson and the Somme among other historical events on the side of the Housing Executive property in Pollock […]

Alliance will continue to fight to ensure victims are focus of process, says Long

Alliance will continue to fight to ensure victims are the focus of the legacy process, party Leader Naomi Long MLA has said. Mrs Long was speaking after meeting Secretary of State Brandon Lewis and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney alongside other Executive leaders to discuss legacy matters, including UK Government proposals for an amnesty […]

Questions remain to be answered over Runwood Homes profit, says McGrath

Questions remain to be answered after Runwood Homes made an almost £20 million profit despite receiving public money to support it during the worst of the pandemic, Alliance Councillor Julian McGrath has said. The company, which operated Glenabbey Care Home in Glengormley, received £2 million in government grants, while accruing a profit of £19.8 million […]