Alliance Leader David Ford MLA has welcomed the UK Government’s announcement that it is giving “serious consideration” to establishing a new paramilitary watchdog but criticised the DUP for attempting to further delay talks. Mr Ford was speaking after Theresa Villiers told the House of Commons the Government was committed to reaching a resolution in the […]
Most people will hear of further crunch talks taking place at the Assembly and sigh. It’s understandable – for several years, we have been locked in a seemingly regular dance with parties sequestered to try to break deadlocks in front of them. But it’s for that very reason we need these talks, with a set […]
Alliance Minister Stephen Farry has reiterated he has no plans to bring a controversial Bill designed to curb trade unions in Britain to Northern Ireland. Minister Farry was speaking after MPs backed the Government’s Trade Union Bill in Parliament, which could place restrictions on picketing, imposing a minimum 50 per cent turnout in strike ballots […]
Alliance finance spokesperson Judith Cochrane MLA has welcomed the latest Ulster Bank economic findings, adding it proved there was a lot for Northern Ireland to be positive about. The MLA for East Belfast was speaking after the latest report from the Ulster Bank showed Northern Ireland’s output has increased for the fourth successive month. Judith […]
David Ford MLA has said the “poison of paramilitarism” must be tackled properly for the Stormont House talks to have any chance of lasting success. The Alliance Leader was speaking after the first day of the resumed talks, during which a party delegation met with the British and Irish Governments to discuss issues around welfare, […]
Chris Lyttle MLA is to host an Assembly event highlighting work being done to stop cruelty against animals. The Alliance MLA, the Vice-Chair of the Assembly’s All-Party Group on Animal Welfare, is sponsoring the occasion for the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) group tomorrow (Monday). It will hear from wildlife campaigner Bill Oddie and Janice […]
North Belfast Alliance Councillor Nuala McAllister has expressed disgust after firefighters were attacked by youths as they attempted to put out a car fire in the New Lodge area. Councillor McAllister was speaking after the incident on Friday (September 11) around 8.30pm. The car had been hijacked on the New Lodge Road and driven a […]
East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has condemned a burglary that saw four masked men hold a pensioner hostage in his home. The Alliance representative said the incident, which took place around 10.15pm on Friday (September 11), would have been a “horrifying” one for the victim. Two of the men who broke into the pensioner’s Dunraven […]
Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed a new service from FASA aimed at addressing crisis management throughout the night. Officially opening on Thursday, September 10, the Nightingale Crisis and Recovery Centre will provide a place of safety for those in crisis on a 24-hour basis. Chris Lyttle MLA said: “FASA already provides an essential service […]
Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly has said quick and effective police work led to the arrest of a man armed with a crossbow on Tuesday evening. Mr Kelly was speaking after a man was arrested at a residence in Central Park, where a number of cannabis plants and two further crossbows were also recovered. Councillor Neil […]