Lo: Report finds serious breach of Assembly rules by Iris Robinson

Alliance MLA, Anna Lo, who is Vice-Chair of the Committee for Standards and Privileges, has said it is regrettable that the report into allegations about Peter and Iris Robinson has taken almost five years to see the light of day. The report investigated claims made in a BBC Spotlight programme in 2010. The Assembly Commissioner […]

Dickson disappointed by Caterpillar job losses

Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has expressed his disappointment at Caterpillar’s announcement that they will be cutting 140 jobs. 65 employees and 75 agency staff will lose their jobs. Caterpillar is based in factories in Larne, Monkstown and West Belfast. Stewart Dickson MLA said: “I’m disappointed at these job losses in Caterpillar. It remains […]

Lyttle calls for votes at 16 for Northern Ireland

Alliance Chair of the Assembly Group on Children and Young People, Chris Lyttle MLA, has said that the voting age in Northern Ireland should also be lowered to 16 after a report recommended a similar proposal for Scotland. In the wake of the Scottish referendum, the Smith Commission has put forward a number of suggestions […]

O’Neill selected as North Belfast Westminster candidate

Jason O’Neill has been confirmed as the Alliance Party’s North Belfast Westminster candidate, ahead of the 2015 general election. Selected at a special meeting in North Belfast this month, Jason – a former Students’ Union President at Queen’s University – said Alliance was the only party that could offer a diverse alternative to the old […]

Dornan welcomes development of Rowandale Integrated Primary School

Alliance Lisburn Councillor Brian Dornan has welcomed the Education Minister’s decision to approve further development at Rowandale Integrated Primary School, after local Alliance Councillors lobbied the Minister on behalf of the school. Speaking at the latest meeting of Lisburn Borough Council, Mr Dornan welcomed the move that will see the school in Moria expand to […]

Ford: External audit of Stormont expenses needed

Alliance Leader, David Ford, has said that an external audit of MLAs’ expenses is needed following allegations raised in the Spotlight programme on Tuesday night. He has also called for the Police to investigate the allegations David Ford MLA said: “It is absolutely clear from what we saw on the Spotlight programme that there is […]

Lo: Potential scrapping of Runkerry golf course is good news for the environment

Alliance Environment spokesperson, Anna Lo MLA, has said that the potential scrapping of any plans for the Runkerry golf course is good news for the surrounding environment. It appears that the land for the proposed golf resort is in the process of being sold to another buyer after those behind the plans had difficulty raising […]

Dickson raises Cherry Tree nursing home concerns at Stormont

Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has proposed an adjournment debate in the Assembly on concerns about the standard of care provided at Cherry Tree House nursing home in Carrickfergus. He has been in contact with relatives of several residents in relation to these concerns. Stewart has also questioned the adequacy of an RQIA report […]

McCarthy: Reduction in health provision is of great concern

Alliance Health spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy MLA, has said that proposals to close the MS respite centre at Dalriada Hospital are a consequence of the mismanagement of the Health budget. He was speaking during an Assembly debate. The Health Minister has announced an eight week consultation on the proposed closure. Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “The proposed […]

Dickson: David Ford not in the business of compromising safety and security of Maghaberry

Alliance Justice spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has supported a motion in the Assembly which condemned the targeting of Prison Service employees by dissident republicans. The motion also called on the Justice Minister to reject any proposal that would compromise the security of Magheberry prison, and Stewart Dickson told the Assembly that with David Ford as […]