Lagan Valley Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has said clearer guidance is needed to avoid future disputes after a decision by the High Court that could see the John Lewis store finally come to Sprucefield. The Court ruled policies within the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) relating to the bulky goods restriction at the shopping complex […]
The Education Minister is in danger of losing tens of millions of pounds designed to reduce pressures on his Departmental budget, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has discovered. The Minister was granted a £50 million capital investment for new capital builds for integrated and shared education as part of the Fresh Start Agreement. However, responding to […]
Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has welcomed the extension of Virgin Broadband provision to areas in his constituency. Hedgelea Road in Newtownabbey has just received the service, with Greenisland and Carrickfergus soon to follow. Mr Dickson said he had been pressing for the broadband to be introduced there for some time. “I have been […]
Alliance Antrim Councillor Neil Kelly has condemned those behind a suspected arson in a local estate which saw a number of cars torched. The three vehicles were burnt out in the Stiles estate in the town, with Councillor Kelly calling the incident “absolutely disgraceful”. “This is happening too often in our town – it needs […]
Alliance Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has called for the Executive to use the opportunity of Friday’s North-South Ministerial Council meeting to develop solutions to the challenges poised by Brexit to both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. Dr Farry said the Council must address their failure to articulate a coherent position regarding the steps […]
Alliance Executive spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said the fact a UDA leader who heads up an East Belfast community group has not stepped down is not a “distraction” as stated by the First Minister but rather “deeply concerning”. Mr Dickson was speaking after Arlene Foster refused to back calls for Dee Stitt, chief executive […]
Alliance Justice spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has condemned an attack on a memorial in North Belfast. The monument at Ballysillan Avenue, commemorating three fusiliers from Scotland who were killed by the IRA in 1971, had paint thrown over it. Mr Lunn said the incident was “a cowardly act”. “There can never be any justification for […]
Alliance Group leader at Belfast City Hall, Councillor Michael Long, has expressed his hope that this is the time to tackle the issue of language across Belfast as his party launches its new language policy for the city at An Chultúrlann in west Belfast. Councillor Long said: “For far too many years, the issue of […]
The Fresh Start Agreement is on life support one year after it was signed, Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said. East Antrim MLA Mr Dickson said the deal, which will mark its first anniversary tomorrow (Thursday) had “left victims in limbo” by not resolving their issues, which was still a problem a year later. Among […]
Alliance elected representatives in South Belfast have said a newly announced residents’ parking scheme is a victory for locals. Roads Minister Chris Hazzard confirmed the scheme in the College Park Avenue and Rugby Road area would move to the next stage of consultation over the next few weeks. If successful, the scheme could be in […]