Ford works with Lord Morrow to improve Human Trafficking Bill

Alliance Leader and Justice Minister, David Ford, has said that there is 100% agreement between himself and Lord Morrow on the need to fight human trafficking. He was speaking during the Consideration Stage of the Human Trafficking Bill, in which David Ford and Lord Morrow co-signed a large number of amendments. David Ford MLA said: […]

Clarke expresses sadness as driver dies in Down Rally accident

Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has expressed his deep sadness and shock following the death of a rally driver, after the car he was racing plunged into water during the first stage of the Down Rally, near Castlewellan. Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke said: “I am very saddened to learn of the tragic death of rally driver […]

Howard welcomes Freedom of Castlereagh for PSNI

Alliance Councillor Carole Howard has welcomed the Freedom of the Borough being bestowed on the PSNI. The honour was officially awarded today, Saturday, after an Alliance-led campaign proposed by Councillor Carole Howard secured unanimous support at Castlereagh Borough Council. Councillor Carole Howard said: “I am delighted to see the PSNI officially receive the Freedom of […]

Full Steam ahead for Cultra Railway Station Restoration

Plans to restore Cultra Railway Station have been given the green light by planners – a move welcomed by North Down Alliance Councillors Larry Thompson and Andrew Muir. The local Councillors have been instrumental in leading the campaign to save the historic site – along with other interested people and organisations, including Holywood Conservation Group […]

Cochrane: More work needed to bring down civil service sickness rates

Alliance Finance spokesperson, Judith Cochrane MLA, has welcomed the slight decrease in civil service absence rates, but has said that more work must be done to tackle the issue. The average number of sick days taken in 2013/14 was 10.1, which was down from 10.6 days. Judith Cochrane MLA said: “The levels of sickness absence […]

Long expresses sadness over latest road death

Alliance Councillor Michael Long, Castlereagh PCSP Chair, has offered condolences to the family of a man who died after a road traffic collision on the Saintfield Road near Carryduff. Three other people have been critically injured in the accident, which occurred after a car being chased by the police crashed into another vehicle. Councillor Michael […]

DUP silly games won’t let Brimstone off the hook: Dickson

Alliance Social Development spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has said the use of inappropriate language by Sammy Wilson at today’s DSD Committee meeting was just an attempt to deflect attention from the evidence of the Social Development Minister’s Special Adviser Stephen Brimstone in relation to the Spotlight allegations. Sammy Wilson refused to withdraw his accusation that […]

Cochrane: HMS Caroline will be a lasting legacy to World War One

Alliance East Belfast MLA, Judith Cochrane, has welcomed the announcement that HMS Caroline, the last remaining warship from World War One, will be turned into a floating museum. £12million of lottery funding will be provided for this project. It is hoped that it will be opened in 2016 in time for the centenary of the […]