Lunn: Executive must help secure new air routes to encourage trade

Alliance Lagan Valley MLA, Trevor Lunn, has encouraged the Executive to secure more direct air routes to large EU trading partners to increase the amount of investment in Northern Ireland. Mr Lunn brought the issue up during Assembly Questions to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, which was answered by the Finance Minister in […]

Dickson shocked by Londonderry shooting

Alliance Justice spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has condemned a paramilitary style shooting in Londonderry on Monday night in which a teenager was shot in both legs. Police believe that two men were responsible for this attack. Stewart Dickson MLA said: “There can be no justification for this shooting. The people who carried out this heinous […]

Lyttle congratulates new Deputy Chief Constable

Alliance Policing Board member, Chris Lyttle MLA, has offered his congratulations to Drew Harris who has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Constable of the PSNI. Chris Lyttle MLA said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to Drew Harris. I have worked closely with Drew in his role as Assistant Chief Constable and […]

McAllister condemns North Belfast hate crime

Alliance Councillor Nuala McAllister has condemned the latest racially motivated hate crime in North Belfast. A man and a woman were arrested after a number of windows at a house on Broom Street in the Woodvale area were smashed on Monday night. Councillor Nuala McAllister said: “I am extremely worried to see hate-motivated crimes continuing […]

Long: Danske branch closure is disappointing blow

East Belfast MP Naomi Long has said Danske Bank’s decision to close its Cregagh Road branch is a disappointing blow for local people. The company has announced the branch is set to close on Friday December 5, with all customers automatically moving to the Donegall Square West branch. An ATM will remain at the current […]

Dunlop: Lives could have been lost in Ballymena hate crime

Alliance Ballymena Councillor Jayne Dunlop has condemned a petrol bomb attack on a house in Cullybackey on Sunday morning, which the Police are treating as a hate crime. Three petrol bombs were thrown but only one ignited. Two men have been arrested. One individual was inside the house at the time but was uninjured. Cllr […]

Ford expresses condolences following death of Ian Paisley

Alliance Leader David Ford MLA has paid tribute to former Leader of the DUP, Lord Bannside, who has died at the age of 88. David Ford MLA said “Ian Paisley was a dedicated political representative who served the people of North Antrim for over four decades. This was a huge period of time working on […]

Long backs aid commitment Bill

Alliance MP Naomi Long has given her backing to a Bill designed to enshrine government aid commitments in legislation. The International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons today (Friday). It seeks to enshrine in law 0.7 per cent of gross national income for international development packages. […]

Ford – British Government must get a grip on Northern Ireland’s political crisis

In a meeting with the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers this afternoon Alliance Leader David Ford urged the British Government to convene urgent talks, and to get a grip on the deepening political and economic crisis in Northern Ireland. David Ford MLA said: “Due to political and financial mismanagement by the DUP and Sinn Fein, […]

Opinion piece by Naomi Long: Kincora victims need truth in inquiry into historical child abuse

Earlier this month, the Lord Mayor of London, Fiona Woolf, was named new head of the Home Office inquiry into historical child abuse. It again brought to the fore the issue of whether Kincora Boys’ Home will be included in that inquiry. Having met with victims of institutional abuse, what sets Kincora apart are the […]