Long-term approach needed for bonfires but compliance with council injunction needed, says O’Neill

Alliance Councillor Sian O’Neill has said a long-term approach is needed for the issue of bonfires but people need to comply with Belfast City Council’s injunction preventing more materials being added to several sites in East Belfast. The Council was granted the injunction by the High Court to stop further materials being added to the […]

Ford accuses other parties of ’empty words’ after donations revelation

David Ford MLA has accused other parties of “empty words” after it emerged only Alliance has called for the publication of political donations here to be backdated to 2014. Mr Ford was speaking after the Secretary of State finally published responses from local parties to his consultation on bringing donations rules here into line with […]

Lyttle says families let down by DUP and Sinn Fein as uniform budget cut revealed

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle has said families have been let down by the DUP and Sinn Fein after it was revealed money to help pay for school uniforms could be cut by the Department of Education (DE). The Education Authority said the DE had instructed them to cut the amount given to low income […]

Political vacuum putting lives at risk, says Bradshaw

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has warned delays in reforming legislation relating to the Fire and Rescue Service caused by the current political vacuum may put lives at risk. The South Belfast MLA said there was a gap in regulations meaning a multi-occupied building with only domestic premises, such as was the case in […]

Douglas says Executive needed to help tackle paramilitarism

Alliance Councillor Karen Douglas has said a functioning Executive must be established as soon as possible to help local communities tackle the poison of paramilitarism. The Bangor Central Councillor was speaking after attending a community meeting in Rathgill, which was held after local concerns about anti-social behaviour and ongoing paramilitary activity in the area. Agencies […]

A sad and frustrating day for Northern Ireland due to talks impasse, says Farry

Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry has said today is a “sad and frustrating one” after the talks process was suspended until the autumn but added his party remained willing to engage over the summer months and beyond. Dr Farry said more urgent intervention was needed from the UK Government to address budget issues and give […]

McReynolds says abuse report must be urgently implemented

Alliance Councillor Peter McReynolds has said the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry report findings must be urgently implemented if the Executive gets up and running again. The new Alliance East Belfast Councillor was speaking after he seconded a motion calling for Belfast City Council to write to all party leaders in Northern Ireland to ensure the […]

Nicholl: Council will push for greater transparency on donations

Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl called on Belfast City Council to continue to push the Secretary of State for full transparency around the issue of donations. Speaking at the latest Belfast City Council meeting, Councillor Nicholl said James Brokenshire has ‘missed a key opportunity’ after he fudged the issue of donations by refusing to backdate them […]

Nicholl: Council will push for greater transparency on donations

Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl called on Belfast City Council to continue to push the Secretary of State for full transparency around the issue of donations. Speaking at the latest Belfast City Council meeting, Councillor Nicholl said James Brokenshire has ‘missed a key opportunity’ after he fudged the issue of donations by refusing to backdate them […]