Naomi Long sends best wishes to Martin McGuinness

Alliance Party Leader Naomi Long has extended her best wishes to Martin McGuinness on the announcement that he will not be running in the Assembly Election. “I want to extend my sincere best wishes to Martin McGuinness for the future and wish him improved health in his retirement. “Whilst our politics are very different, I […]

DUP and Sinn Féin have no regard for public concern about RHI scandal – Long

Alliance Leader, Naomi Long, has accused the DUP and Sinn Fein of reckless disregard for public concern and confidence in the wake of both Economy Minister Simon Hamilton and Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir attempting to initiate separate public inquiries into the RHI scandal. Naomi Long said: “There has been a clear need for a […]

Need for RHI inquiry more pressing than ever, says Farry

The need for an independent public inquiry into the RHI scandal has never been more pressing, Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA has said, after a senior civil servant said he believes a DUP special adviser influenced the decision to keep the scheme open. Dr Andrew McCormick told Stormont’s Public Accounts Committee he understood the […]

Long says it is perfectly natural for public suspicions after more RHI revelations

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said it is perfectly natural for the public to have suspicions after a DUP special adviser admitted his father-in-law has two boilers under the controversial RHI scheme. John Robinson admitted his father-in-law applied to the scheme in August 2015, three months before he was married, subsequently running two green […]

Alliance opposes cuts to Belfast bikes scheme

Alliance Belfast City Councillors have opposed cuts to the popular Belfast bikes, saying a proposed reduction to the scheme would only save a minimal amount. The Alliance group was the only one of the Council to fight the proposals, which would see the current arrangements of the first half-hour being free changed to only 15 […]

Ford offers best wishes to children injured in road accident

Alliance MLA David Ford has sent best wishes to the brother and sister injured in a car accident near Randalstown. It is understood the children had just got off a bus from school when they were struck by a car. David Ford said: “This accident is very distressing for the family and the many other […]

Immediate action needed on specialist perinatal services – Bradshaw

Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has welcome an RQIA Review, which calls for specialist perinatal mental health services to be provided by all Health and Social Care Trusts. The South Belfast MLA said: “The RQIA findings further endorse the argument that not enough focus is being given to specialist and targeted mental health services. “Nevertheless, […]

Farry criticises Prime Minister over Brexit plans

Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA has heavily criticised the Prime Minister’s plans for the UK to leave the European single market, saying it is “severe” for the UK as a whole and “a catastrophe” for Northern Ireland. He was speaking after Theresa May said the UK “cannot possibly” remain within the EU. She also […]

Health Minister is failing women – Armstrong

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said that the Health Minister is failing women by refusing to fund 3 cycles of IVF treatment. Kellie Armstrong said : “In 2013 the Department of Health endorsed the recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Clinical Guideline on Fertility, which recommends that women should be […]