Today’s Budget from the Chancellor is a missed opportunity to invest properly in a green-led economic recovery, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. Dr Farry said the scale of Rishi Sunak’s interventions also fell short of what is required to address the scale of the health and economic challenges coming out of the pandemic. “There […]
A Council motion to mark American founding father Hercules Mulligan should not go ahead, Alliance Councillor Yvonne Boyle has said. Alderman Boyle, who originally brought a motion to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Leisure and Development Committee on a fortnight ago to establish a commemorative plaque marking Coleraine’s Hercules Mulligan, said the amended motion by […]
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has voted against an Alliance Party suggestion to invite two top officials to the Borough to gain an understanding of the difficulties being faced by local businesses as the impact of a hard Brexit continues to be felt. Had others allowed it to go ahead, the meeting with EU […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has welcomed the introduction of the Damages Bill to the Assembly, commending the Justice Minister for bringing for this “important legislation”. Speaking after the bill was brought forward on Monday, Mr Dickson said it was needed to tackle on-going delays to personal-injury claims. Once law it will allow those claimants who […]
Executive Departments need to ensure planned spending is carried out so no money is handed back to Westminster, Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said. Mr Muir was speaking during an Assembly debate relating to a motion on the supply of cash and use of resources by Departments in the current financial year, and […]
It is disappointing the Northern Ireland census still seeks to pigeonhole people’s backgrounds due to the religion they were brought up in, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. With this year’s census going live, Strangford MLA Ms Armstrong said while it was a valuable source of data, it was frustrating for those who did not […]
It is another concerning day after Bank of Ireland announced it was to close 15 branches in Northern Ireland, Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said. Mr Muir has requested meetings with the Financial Services Union and Bank of Ireland following the decision, which follows in the wake of Ulster Bank announcing it was […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed moves to ensure spouses of those who have passed away as a result of the contaminated blood scandal also benefit from the Infected Blood Payment Scheme. Health Minister Robin Swann announced the financial support move for those registered on the Infected Blood Payment Scheme who have not […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has responded to a statement from the DAERA Minister, warning of the consequences of political stunts. In calling out the “irresponsible” move, John said the action would only “disrupt an essential process for some of our crucial economic sectors, such as agriculture and agrifood”. He added: “Any actions to stall completion […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed publication of data associated with clusters and outbreaks of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, which confirmed they were mainly associated with workplace settings, including retail. The information showed in a four-week period across January and February, there were 100 outbreaks and 258 clusters identified, mainly associated with workplace […]