Armstrong sends best wishes to Killyleagh and Loughries Integrated Primary schools as they join the integrated family

Alliance’s Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong has sent her best wishes to Killyleagh Integrated Primary School and Loughries Integrated Primary School as they start their first year as schools that have taken the step of transforming to integrated status. Kellie Armstrong said: “This is the start of a new era for Killyleagh and Loughries. I congratulate […]

Long says official Opposition leave much to be desired

Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MLA has said it is a poor display of the ability of the official Opposition to hold the Executive to account, as the majority of the motions on the Assembly’s first Opposition Day were on matters on which it has no control. Today’s first Opposition Day in the Assembly saw […]

Farry disappointed at weak Assembly response to NAMA scandal

Alliance Finance spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has expressed disappointment the Assembly has failed to unite to call for an investigation into allegations of poor governance around Nama’s local portfolio. He was speaking after the Assembly debated the NAMA scandal for the first time and the DUP backed a Sinn Fein amendment which only called for […]

Local banks a vital part of Strangford rural life – Armstrong

Alliance’s Strangford MLA, Kellie Armstrong has said that banks located in rural areas are a vital part of village life. Ms Armstrong was speaking in the Assembly during a debate on the impact of rural bank closures. Kellie Armstrong said: “As a rural dweller, and as the representative of a largely rural constituency, I have […]

Confirmation Brexit report was not shared with wider Executive

Alliance Leader David Ford has confirmed neither he or colleague Stephen Farry were consulted over an Executive report detailing how Brexit would be detrimental to the local economy. The report, discovered by the Detail investigative website, was written in May 2015 by the European Policy and Co-ordination Unit in the Office of First Minister and […]

We all have a responsibility to protect the environment – Ford

Alliance’s spokesperson on the Environment, David Ford MLA, has said that everyone has a responsibility to value and protect our environment. Mr Ford was speaking at the start of the second Northern Ireland Environment Week, which is designed to raise awareness of environmental issues. David Ford said: “Environmental issues impact on all our lives every […]

Ford welcomes Ardoyne parade resolution

Alliance Leader David Ford has welcomed the announcement of the resolution of the Ardoyne parading dispute. A deal, subject to a Parades Commission ruling, will allow protesting Orange lodges to complete their 2013 parade next Saturday (October 1) and the subsequent ending of the Twaddell camp. “After many months of disagreement, the announcement of a […]

Blue Badge initiative long overdue – Armstrong

Alliance’s Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong has welcomed the announcement that applications for Blue Badges can now be made online, but has said the move is long overdue. Kellie Armstrong said: “I am glad Minister Hazzard has listened to the concerns I, and many others, have raised about delays in issuing Blue Badges. In many cases […]