Armstrong says health service continuing to fail children with autism

The Health Service is continuing to fail children with autism and other disabilities, Councillor Kellie Armstrong has said, as she took part in a special event targeting the need for greater investment in services. Alliance’s Strangford Assembly candidate was speaking after she took part in a special debate yesterday (Tuesday) at the Stormont Hotel, hosted […]

Muir says there remains a lack of political leadership around dealing with paramilitarism

Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has said there is a lack of political leadership around dealing with paramilitarism and its trappings. The North Down representative was speaking after BBC’s Spotlight programme yesterday (Tuesday) which revealed mediation had been encouraged between local paramilitaries and community groups in an attempt to end disputes over the display of illegal […]

Lyttle seeks urgent explanation about special needs school provision

East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has sought an urgent explanation as to why the provision for children in special needs schools is being reduced. The move by the Education Authority, which is due to begin in September, will see nursery and pre-school children attending school for 2.5 hours a day as opposed to the current […]

Boyle welcomes WomenAloudNI event on International Women’s Day

Alliance activist Yvonne Boyle has praised local female writers, as she took part in a special event to mark International Women’s Day. The Party’s East Londonderry Assembly candidate – who is also a well-known local poet – said she was ‘honoured’ to read alongside a number of writers from the Coleraine and Limavady area at […]

Brown: UUP inconsistent on EU referendum

South Down Alliance Councillor Patrick Brown has hit out at the UUP for its ‘inconsistent approach’ to the EU referendum question, after its Councillors unanimously voted against calls for Northern Ireland’s key political players to support the IN campaign Coming just two days after leader Mike Nesbitt said a no vote would seriously damage the […]

Bradshaw says more women need encouraged into politics ahead of International Women’s Day

Alliance South Belfast Councillor Paula Bradshaw has said it is vital more women are encouraged to participate in politics in order to more widely reflect the make-up of society. Councillor Bradshaw was speaking ahead of International Women’s Day, which this year has the theme Pledge for Parity. The day is designed to celebrate, appreciate and […]

Dickson says explosives find worrying

Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has described the discovery of a “significant” amount of explosives and bomb-making components at a country park in Larne as worrying. Mr Dickson was speaking after the haul, including partially constructed devices, was found in a number of small plastic barrels in Carnfunock. “Coming only days after a bomb […]

Farry: Alliance will make Northern Ireland the most innovative regional economy in Europe

Stephen Farry MLA has said Alliance wants to go forward, faster towards achieving its aim of seeing Northern Ireland regarded as the most innovative and dynamic region in Europe by 2030. The Minister for Employment and Learning was speaking as part of the Alliance Party’s Annual Conference – where he not only took the opportunity […]

Ford says pace of change in Northern Ireland needs to increase

Alliance Leader David Ford has said the pace of change in Northern Ireland needs to increase, as part of his speech at the party’s annual conference. Speaking in front of assembled party members and others at Alliance’s 46th annual conference at the La Mon Hotel today (Saturday), the South Antrim MLA said the other Executive […]