Long: ISIL pose significant threat to Middle East and beyond

Alliance MP Naomi Long has supported government plans to launch airstrikes against ISIL, at a recalled session of Parliament on Friday. The East Belfast MP – who previously voted against airstrikes in Syria – said the UK was now obligated to act after its misguided intervention in Iraq, adding ISIL now posed a significant threat […]

Ford – Robinson and McGuinness more interested in 18 holes at Gleneagles than budget black hole

Alliance Leader, David Ford MLA, has criticised the decision of Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness to fly to Scotland to watch the Ryder Cup instead of dealing with the financial crisis. At the Executive meeting on Thursday, Alliance suggested that the Executive meet on Thursday evening or today (Friday) to resolve the current budget problems, […]

Long secures greater openness from Castlereagh Council

Alliance Councillor Michael Long has again secured greater openness and transparency from Castlereagh Borough Council. Last month the Council published its annual expenses, again proving Alliance Councillors are the best value for money. Yet the information almost remained hidden from the public with it being very difficult to local on the Council’s website – an […]

Farry – Ministers must stop playing games with Northern Ireland’s financial future

Speaking after the Executive Meeting on Thursday, Alliance Minister Stephen Farry said: “In July we warned that due to a combination of long-term mismanagement and short-term stupidity, Northern Ireland was facing the biggest financial crisis in living memory. Decisions that needed to be taken then were put off, and have come back to haunt us. […]

McCarthy offers sympathies following death of young woman in Derry

Alliance Strangford MLA, Kieran McCarthy, has offered his sympathies to the family of a young woman who died in Derry on Thursday morning. The 19 year old was from Portaferry. Her body was discovered at 2:30am at a flat in the Creggan area. A 21 year old man has been arrested. Kieran McCarthy MLA said: […]

Dickson expresses opposition to new IRA mural in North Belfast

Alliance Justice spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has expressed his opposition to a new IRA mural in North Belfast that features three masked gunmen. The mural in Ardoyne is due to be unveiled next month. Stewart Dickson MLA said: “There is no place for images of paramilitary gunmen on our streets. Murals that glorify terrorism should […]

Alliance motion is major turning point in fight to save Exploris

The Alliance team on Ards Borough Council has secured a major turning point in the fight to save Exploris. A motion from Councillor Alan McDowell and Councillor Kellie Armstrong saw Ards Council agree to accept the Environment Department’s letter of offer for both the Seal Sanctuary and Exploris – with the decision only now subject […]

Kelly: Animal cruelty will not be tolerated

Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly has said animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Antrim, adding he was shocked and horrified at the suffering of two dogs in the area. It has been revealed Antrim Borough Council will begin legal proceedings against two residents after details of the extreme cruelty against the animals – neither of […]

Miliband pulls the rug from under Sinn Fein and SDLP over welfare reform – Dickson

Alliance Social Development spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has said the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband MP, has dismissed the Sinn Fein and SDLP claim that a Labour Government would repeal welfare reform. Mr Miliband has indicated that he would only seek to abolish the bedroom tax in the UK, a concession that has already […]

Cochrane: Cancer drugs funding review must deliver better treatments for patients

Alliance Secretary of the Assembly Group on Cancer, Judith Cochrane MLA, has welcomed the move by the Health Minister to review the Individual Funding Request process. The system is in place to determine whether the health service will provide specialist drugs that are currently not available routinely on the NHS in Northern Ireland. The review […]