Bradshaw says greater clarity needed on healthcare reform

Alliance Councillor Paula Bradshaw has demanded greater clarity from the Health Minister on the implementation of healthcare reform, saying the lack of transparency threatens the entire improvement process. The South Belfast representative said Alliance broadly supported Transforming Your Care, which had been hailed as the biggest overhaul of the health service here for decades, but […]

McDonough-Brown says upgraded CCTV could help combat Holyland trouble

Alliance South Belfast Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown has said an upgrade of CCTV cameras in a student area of the city could help prevent further anti-social behaviour there. Cllr McDonough-Brown was speaking following trouble in the Holyland area last night (Wednesday) and today. “I recently sought approval to make a modest investment in a camera system […]

Dickson says question remains over air ambulance announced in Budget

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said while the news of an air ambulance for Northern Ireland is welcome, there remains a question over where it will land. The East Antrim MLA was speaking after Chancellor George Osborne committed £4 million to a local air ambulance service in today’s Budget. Northern Ireland is currently the only […]

Farry calls on others to stop playing games around tuition fees

Alliance Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry has called on other Executive parties to stop playing games around the future of tuition fees. Mr Farry was speaking after a paper in the wake of his ‘Big Conversation’ consultation outlined various funding models for higher education in Northern Ireland. He said the issue needed to be […]

Muir: ‘Time for DUP to end blood ban’

Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has urged Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Simon Hamilton to end the gay blood ban before he leaves office, following today’s court ruling the Health Minister should decide on its future here. North Down Councillor Andrew Muir was speaking after the Court of Appeal decided it should be Simon Hamilton instead of […]

Dickson says mental health needs to be at centre of health service

Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has said mental health should be placed at the heart of the health service in the new Assembly term. Mr Dickson said despite work being carried out on the area during this Assembly mandate, mental health had often been forgotten about. “Mental health conditions affect around one in four […]

Alliance welcomes Council decision on Gortmore Park

Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn and Councillor Amanda Grehan have said the rejection of a planning application for a new housing development that would have destroyed a much valued green space was ‘the right decision’. The application for a housing development at Gortmore Park and Ardane Gardens was formally rejected by Lisburn and Castlereagh’s planning committee […]

Armstrong calls for enhanced education provision at Donaghadee school

Alliance Strangford Assembly candidate Kellie Armstrong has added her voice to the calls for better education provision at Killard House School in Donaghadee. The local Councillor said the Education Minister must act to provide equitable provision of 16 plus education for young adults with learning difficulties at the school, adding a sixth form centre would […]