Alliance Economy Spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has expressed his concerns that the Economy Minister’s recently published Economic Recovery Action Plan cannot be effectively implemented unless an Executive-wide approach is taken. The Economic Recovery Plan, published today by the Department for the Economy, sets out how the Department seeks to navigate Northern Ireland’s economic recovery from […]
A major report which found an ongoing failure to address issues with special educational needs (SEN) provision by the Department of Education and Education Authority (EA) is yet more evidence of the need for a review of the sector, Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said. The report, by the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, […]
Almost 80 per cent of respondents to a consultation are in favour of banning hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland, Alliance MLA John Blair has revealed. Mr Blair’s proposed Private Member’s Bill seeks to outlaw the practice, which is legal in Northern Ireland, the only part of the UK in which it is. The South […]
Alliance Derry-Londonderry Councillor Rachael Ferguson has said the approval of the business case for the area’s city deal is a massive step forward for the local area. The Secretary of State is due to approve the multi-million pound Derry City and Strabane deal, with the heads of terms being signed for the £250 million to […]
It is a disappointing day for openness and transparency, Alliance Councillor Danny Donnelly has said, after the three unionist parties on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council joined together to block attempts for an independent investigation into what led to the decision to remove staff from Larne Port. An Alliance proposal calling for the inquiry […]
It is essential the Executive has a comprehensive plan to tackle the issues relating to the pandemic, Brexit and other issues over the next year, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. Mr Muir was speaking after an Assembly debate on the need for a recovery and investment strategy, post-COVID-19. He said there was a unique […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has called on the Finance Minister to consider allocating money to reform the controversial ‘six-month’ rule for terminally ill people. As part of a cross-party letter, MLAs wrote to Conor Murphy to urge him to give the Department for Communities (DFC) £2 million to progress reform of the Special […]
Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly has congratulated Jordan Brown on his latest win after the Antrim snooker star claimed victory at the 2021 Welsh Open. Councillor Kelly said “Jordan was so in control of his game, he looked like a seasoned pro, rather than someone in his first ranking final. “This is a massive achievement for […]
The impending deadline for applications for EU residents and ‘frontier workers’ to remain in the UK should be removed urgently, Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA and Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP have said. They have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel, urging them to scrap the deadline for applications, currently […]
Investing in peatland restoration is critical if we are serious about a green recovery, Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair has said. Chancellor Rishi Sunak last year announced a fund of £640 million to plant more than 40 million trees and restore 35,000 hectares of peatland in England, with the Scottish and Welsh Governments also […]