Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw is seeking assurances a new law requiring women to prove a third child was conceived through rape in order to access child tax credits could be removed by a future Executive without breaching parity. The Social Security (Restrictions on Amounts for Children and Qualifying Young Persons) Amendment Regulations 2017 will come […]
Alliance Councillor Nuala McAllister has backed plans for the LGBT community to be recognised at Belfast City Hall. The North Belfast Councillor supported plans on Monday night for a stained glass window to be opened within the building, recognising the Council’s aim to create a City Hall inclusive and open to everyone. Councillor Nuala McAllister […]
Alliance Councillor Emmet McDonough Brown has hit out at the ‘sexist and dehumanising’ comments aimed at Belfast City Chief Executive Suzanne Wylie on Monday night. During a debate over cycling policy, a series of inappropriate comments from Councillor Graham Craig targeted Belfast City Council’s highest employee, with one occasion seeing him describe how ‘his pace […]
Alliance Councillor Kate Nicholl has spoken of her ‘absolute disgust’ at Belfast City Councillors who abstained on a motion aimed at ending the harassment and intimidation women seeking reproductive healthcare often face. Councillor Kate Nicholl said: “This motion showcased exactly which Councillors were prepared to stand back and allow the often cruel tactics deployed by […]
Alliance activist Patricia O’Lynn has said she was ‘saddened’ to hear Castle Tower Special School had been targeted by vandals. The local Alliance campaigner was commenting after police revealed graffiti had been daubed on the school in late March, adding her concerns for the impact the incident would have on students. Patricia O’Lynn said: “This […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has warned that urgent action on Health Reform must be a top priority for the new talks process. Speaking after a public warning from John Compton on the Health Service Budget, the South Belfast MLA cautioned: “It is concerning that in all the statements from the two largest parties, there […]
Alliance Justice spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has said someone could have been killed after a suspect device was found in Londonderry in the early hours of this morning. The pipe bomb was discovered in Tamneymore Park in Derry around 2am today (Friday). Homes in the area were evacuated but residents returned after the device was […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has welcomed new powers for the public services ombudsman, meaning they can investigate complaints against schools here. People will now be able to complain if they feel a school has treated them unfairly. East Belfast MLA Mr Lyttle said the move would make a more accountable system. “The Department […]
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has called for a review of the assessment process for adults with autism. With World Autism Awareness Week taking place until April 2, Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said the time was right for clarity from the Department for Communities in particular, regarding its assessment process for personal independence payments (PIPs) for […]
Brexit will be seen as a major mistake and indeed a tragedy, Alliance Deputy Leader and Brexit Spokesperson Stephen Farry has said, as he described the triggering of Article 50 as a sad day for Northern Ireland. Having consistently highlighted the major implications for the UK as whole and in particular Northern Ireland as the […]