The Alliance Party has selected Peter McReynolds to replace the late Mervyn Jones as Councillor for Ormiston in East Belfast. Following the shock death of Councillor Jones earlier this month, Peter – who is well-known in the constituency through his work with Naomi Long MLA – said he was ‘beyond proud’ to be following in […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has warned an Executive must be up and running to enable an overturn of the so-called ‘rape clause’ in Northern Ireland. The new law requires new claimants having to prove a child has been conceived via rape if they wish to claim tax credits for more than two children. […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry has said while additional money for Northern Ireland must be welcomed, it is important the DUP-Conservative deal does not become a missed opportunity. Dr Farry was speaking after the pact between the two parties was signed. It will see the DUP support Theresa May’s minority Government in return for a […]
Alliance Leader Naomi Long has said Tuesday is the real deadline for talks to reach a successful conclusion. Mrs Long was speaking after another week in the ongoing process, in which she described progress as being “frustratingly slow”. Less than one week remains before the June 29 deadline set by the Secretary of State for […]
One year on from the UK’s decision to leave the EU, Northern Ireland is facing huge economic uncertainty, the Alliance Party’s Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said. Speaking exactly one year after the UK went to the polls to decide its future in Europe, Dr Farry said the profound political implications would be felt […]
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has written to the Permanent Secretary of Infrastructure to ask why his Department is pushing ahead with internal plans to change school minibus licensing without any consultation or published clarification. Ms Armstrong was speaking after it was revealed schools were facing new restrictions on which teachers can drive school […]
An immediate investigation will take place into a decision by Belfast City Council to store pallets meant for bonfires, after Alliance Councillor Michael Long made the proposal on Friday morning. Councillor Long’s call was unanimously backed as he added the recent revelations should be ‘the wake-up call needed to see things change’, with no future […]
Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has said she believes the victims and survivors of institutional abuse have been let down again after she discovered the compensation scheme was unlikely to start before next year. South Belfast MLA Ms Bradshaw was speaking after a meeting with the Civil Service in which it was confirmed because the Hart […]
Alliance MLA David Ford has said the needs of victims must be resolved urgently, after meeting representatives on legacy issues. The former Justice Minister was speaking after attending a meeting of the Victims and Survivors Forum in East Belfast. Issues raised included dealing with the past and a pension for those injured in the Troubles. […]
Alliance Leader Naomi Long has hit out at Arlene Foster, after the Scottish Government published a letter it received from her about its laws relating to equal marriage. The correspondence was sent in early September 2015 when Mrs Foster was Finance Minister. It states she was “concerned” about proposals by the Scottish Government to bring […]