Bradshaw encourages attendance at Mela

Alliance South Belfast MLA Paula Bradshaw has encouraged people to attend a major multi-cultural festival in her constituency this weekend. The Belfast Mela, which promotes religious and cultural diversity in Northern Ireland, takes place in Botanic Gardens this Sunday (August 28). First held in 2007, the festival provides an opportunity for people from all backgrounds […]

Dickson says lessons must be learnt after data breach

Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has said lessons must be learnt after a nursing home in his constituency was fined following a data breach. An unencrypted laptop containing sensitive personal details about patients and staff was stolen in a burglary after being taken home by a member of staff at Whitehead Nursing Home. The […]

Lyttle congratulates students on GCSE results

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has congratulated students celebrating their GCSE results and encouraged them to take in a range of options before deciding their next move. Pupils in Northern Ireland outperformed those in the rest of the UK in terms of A* – C grades, with the number achieving them increasing by 0.4 […]

Armitage challenges Minister to produce planning failure evidence

Alliance Councillor David Armitage has challenged the Infrastructure Minister to present any evidence of complaints against Councils regarding new planning rules. East Belfast Councillor Mr Armitage was speaking after Minister Chris Hazzard said a number of Councils had fallen foul of their own rules, which were introduced in the past financial year following the Review […]

Farry says need for independent inquiry reinforced

Alliance Finance spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said today’s meeting of the Finance Committee has reinforced the need for an independent inquiry into the ‘coaching’ of a witness into its investigation of Nama. Dr Farry was speaking after the Committee echoed Alliance calls for Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir to step aside while such an […]

Bradshaw calls for positive measures to combat gender imbalance

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has called for the Minister to introduce positive measures to redress the gender imbalance in ambulance service staff. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after new figures in the Health and Social Care Workforce Census for the period ending March 31, 2016 revealed a stark difference between the total […]

Ford says need for better deterrent against polluters

Alliance South Antrim MLA David Ford has said there is a need for a better deterrent against those who carry out fish kills. The Alliance Leader was speaking as he received confirmation from Environment Minister Michelle McIlveen that prosecutions are being pursued against those behind recent kills in the Glenavy and Six Mile Water rivers. […]

Bradshaw says it is vital Marie Stopes services restored as soon as possible

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said it is vital abortion services at restored as soon as possible after Marie Stopes confirmed it had suspended abortions at its Belfast clinic for those under 18 and ‘vulnerable’ women. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after the organisation confirmed restrictions imposed by the Care Quality Commission […]

Long says independent investigation into Finance Committee allegations needed

Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long has said only an independent investigation into today’s revelations surrounding the Stormont Finance Committee’s investigation into Nama will restore public confidence. East Belfast MLA Mrs Long was speaking following the resignation of Sinn Fein’s Daithi McKay after it was claimed Sinn Fein members ‘coached’ loyalist Jamie Bryson via social media […]