Alliance representatives welcome decision on legal aid for refugees

Alliance South Belfast representatives Anna Lo MLA and Cllr Paula Bradshaw, have welcomed the Justice Minister’s decision to maintain legal aid for immigration advice and refugee family reunion issues. The two local Alliance politicians recently met with a delegation from the Refugee and Asylum Forum, who were concerned about the potential removal of legal aid […]

Lo demands that Durkan explains his actions at special meeting of environment committee

Alliance Environment spokesperson, Anna Lo MLA, has called for a special session of the Environment Committee to hear answers from the Environment Minister about his plans to make large cuts to several environment organisations. Anna Lo MLA said: “While all Departments are facing severe financial problems, the cuts to some of these environmental organisations are […]

Long seeks change to Irish Cup Final ticket sales

East Belfast MP Naomi Long has called on the Irish Football Association (IFA) to change its method for purchasing tickets for the upcoming Irish Cup Final. Alliance MP Mrs Long was approached by Glentoran-supporting constituents regarding the game, pitting the Glens against Portadown on May 2 at Windsor Park, after the IFA announced it would […]

Bradshaw wants removal of South Belfast paramilitary plaque

Alliance South Belfast Councillor Paula Bradshaw has said that she wants to see the removal a UVF plaque from a memorial in the Village area of South Belfast to those who lost their lives in World War One. The Housing Executive paid for the memorial from their budget and European funds, however a plaque to […]

Lyttle hopes to see greater Executive support for cycling

Alliance Chair of the Assembly Group on Cycling, Chris Lyttle MLA, has welcomed the report by the Regional Development Committee on the benefits of cycling to the economy. Speaking during the Assembly debate on the report, Chris Lyttle MLA said: “Alliance has campaigned for greater investment in sustainable and active forms of transport such as […]

Nicholl: Legal threats prove no Unionist unity in Newry and Armagh

Newry and Armagh Alliance candidate Kate Nicholl has described a pact between the DUP and UUP in her constituency as ‘laughable’. Speaking after it was revealed the DUP was preparing to back attempts to prosecute Ulster Unionist Minister Danny Kennedy, while also urging voters to support him as the Unionist unity candidate in the General […]

McAllister – Lives could have been lost in North Belfast pipe bomb attack

Alliance North Belfast Councillor Nuala McAllister has condemned those who left a viable pipe bomb at a house in the Voltaire Gardens area of North Belfast on Tuesday evening. Cllr Nuala McAllister said: “Those behind this pipe bomb attack have no regard for the consequences of their actions. Not only are they recklessly endangering those […]

Ford – We will waste a further £18m if welfare crisis isn’t resolved before the election

Alliance Leader David Ford has urged all parties to resolve the current crisis over welfare, warning that putting a deal off until after the election will see£18million of vital public spending lost in fines to Westminster. If the Welfare legislation is not passed by the Assembly until after the election, then nine weeks would have […]

Lo hopes to see more women in STEM jobs

Alliance Employment and Learning spokesperson, Anna Lo MLA, has said that she hopes to see more women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers, but that it will require a change in attitudes towards gender stereotypes. She was speaking during a debate in the Assembly on Tuesday. Anna Lo MLA said: “The under-representation of […]

Long says report shows need for dealing with past more crucial than ever

East Belfast MP Naomi Long has said the release of a report into the administration of the so-called ‘on-the-runs’ scheme shows how crucial a process for dealing with the past has become. Alliance MP Mrs Long was speaking after the publication of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee report, which found the scheme should never […]