Alliance Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has called for soon-to-be established civil servant e-hubs to be located in town centres across Northern Ireland. The e-hubs, which provide similar facilities to main offices but closer to workers’ homes, are seen as a way to combine working from home with the traditional office experience, particularly for those […]
Alliance has sought an urgent meeting with the PSNI Chief Constable to discuss increasing tensions and paramilitary activity in recent weeks. The party has already expressed serious concern about the ramping up of tensions across Northern Ireland, and the prevalence of paramilitary-style attacks, shootings and activity over recent months. Alliance and a number of other […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has asked the new DAERA Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, to make a commitment that any threats of violence will not be used to influence government policy. Mr Blair was speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday afternoon as the fallout from changes to staffing at Larne Port continued to play out. He […]
Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has said a DUP ‘five point plan’ opposing the Northern Ireland Protocol would do nothing except inflict more pain on people. The DUP’s proposed actions include stopping all North-South Protocol-related activity and opposing all Protocol-related measures in the Assembly. Ms Long said while there were clearly issues around the flow […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said the impact of disrupted learning for pupils must be mitigated, after the Education Minister confirmed schools here will calculate GCSE, AS and A-Level grades for students. Peter Weir told the Assembly exams body CCEA would then review the grades. It marks a difference from the 2020 method of […]
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson MLA has welcomed an increase in the fine and penalty points awarded to drivers who are caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Mr Muir was speaking after the Assembly moved to increase the number of penalty points awarded from three to six and the fine from £60 to £200 – […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has called for cool, calm heads from all political leaders, after the escalation of threats at Larne Port led to staff being sent home. Raising the issue in a matter of the day at the Assembly, Mr Dickson said the time had now come to cool all the rhetoric, rhetoric which […]
Alliance Councillor Michelle Kelly has confirmed funding will now be available to take forward a new phase of the alleygates scheme, after the Alliance party secured the necessary financial spend as part of the rate setting process. Speaking at the monthly Council meeting, Michelle said this would also allow more communities to transform their alleyways. […]
Alliance Chief Whip Kellie Armstrong has said she is delighted after the Assembly backed her suggestion to allow MLAs to take part in plenary debate remotely. Last month, the Strangford MLA wrote to the Assembly’s Committee for Procedures, as the current software system in Parliament Buildings allows for MLAs to take part in Committees remotely […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the Health Committee inquiry on COVID-19 in care homes offers significant challenges for the management of the pandemic and for adult social care reform. The South Belfast MLA was speaking after an Assembly debate, approving the report of the Committee on the inquiry and calling for the […]