Paula Bradshaw MLA has expressed her disgust at figures showing almost 400 women travelled to England and Wales for abortions last year. The South Belfast MLA stated: “While it is welcome that this figure has reduced, we are still seeing 371 women – more than one a day – having to travel across the water […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the imminent decrease in the time between vaccine doses to a maximum of eight weeks, as the share of the population having received first doses approaches 80 per cent. The Department of Health have confirmed the current gap will be reduced from 12 weeks, offering better protection […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has said interventions should be carried out to tackle ‘rape myths’ throughout the justice system, including in policing. The Policing Board member said incorrect beliefs about sexual crime impact upon policing, adding the police response to sexual assault reports and incidents should be regularly reviewed and assessed as a result. Mr […]
Politicians have a duty to stand up for the inclusion of minorities, Alliance West Tyrone representative Councillor Stephen Donnelly has said, after a local DUP MLA shared “malicious anti-LGBT propaganda” on social media. DUP West Tyrone MLA Tom Buchanan shared the post from a woman who claimed she was gay until she became a Christian. […]
Alliance MLA and Party Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir has described the on-going debate around the Budget Bill as “groundhog day”, with the current process labelled as repetitive, convoluted and badly in need of reform. Mr Muir has said that whilst the Finance Minister had provided an extremely challenging budget, a good proportion of time spent […]
We have an opportunity to develop more local craft brewers, distiller, cideries and wineries into tourist attractions, Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said. Ms Armstrong was speaking ahead of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill reaching its consideration stage in the Assembly. It is designed to extending opening hours for pubs […]
Removing the proceeds of crime is a powerful tool when it comes to disrupting the activities of organised crime groups, Naomi Long has said. The Alliance Justice Minister was speaking as she begins the process of bringing Northern Ireland into line with legislative provisions elsewhere. Four Northern Ireland codes of practice issued under the Proceeds of […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has warned exceptional funding will still be required for the health system after the pandemic, upon the second report of the NI Audit Office into COVID-19 spending. The South Belfast MLA said: “While noting that it comes both from the UK Treasury and the NI block grant, the total spend […]
Alliance Alderman Stephen Martin has been named the new Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh Borough Council, launching his theme for the year as Connecting the Dots. With references to Dr Seuss and Mary Poppins, from the start Ald Martin signalled his focus will be on those around us in community and family life with the […]
The Health Minister can show gratitude for the work of carers during the pandemic by following up on previous pledges, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. Ms Armstrong was speaking as she brought a petition to the Assembly, calling on Robin Swann to support carers by reopening all respite and day centres across Northern […]