Norris condemns those behind Carrickfergus security alert

Alliance Carrickfergus Councillor, Gavin Norris, has condemned those responsible for two elaborate hoax devices which were left in the Broadlands area of Carrickfergus. It is the latest in a number of security alerts in the area. Cllr Gavin Norris said: “I call on those behind these security alerts to stop their irresponsible actions. “It is […]

Long shows support for Holocaust Memorial Day

Alliance MP Naomi Long has declared her support for Holocaust Memorial Day, saying it is a fundamental way to combat hatred in the modern world. The East Belfast MP was speaking after she signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment at the House of Commons, publicly committing to both remembering the Holocaust and also […]

Dickson comments on report into procurement malpractice in Northern Health Trust

Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has said that the Health Minister must implement all the recommendations in a report into malpractice in the procurement and management of building maintenance in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. Information was first received from whistle-blowers in February 2012. The total value of work that has not […]

Blair: Play cancellation was forced

Alliance Councillor John Blair has said the decision to cancel a play in Newtownabbey was forcibly made due to severe pressure from the DUP. Councillor John Blair said: “The extreme behaviour that led to this decision was political censorship at its worst. “The language and attitude from DUP Councillors at the recent Newtownabbey Council meeting […]

McCarthy welcomes move to include NI in cigarette packaging law

Alliance Health spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy MLA, has welcomed a deal which should see Northern Ireland being included in a new UK law that would force cigarette companies to use plain packaging. The First Minister had previously not signed off on Northern Ireland being included in the UK law, but a deal has been agreed that […]

Dickson outraged at comments on First Minister attending Requiem Mass

Alliance Chief Whip, Stewart Dickson MLA, has expressed his disgust at the comments made by Wallace Thompson from the Evangelical Protestant Society, who claimed that it was wrong for Peter Robinson to attend the Requiem Mass of Constable Ronan Kerr in 2011. Stewart Dickson MLA said: “Peter Robinson did the right thing in attending the […]

Lyttle welcomes work on online safety

Alliance OFMDFM spokesperson, Chris Lyttle MLA, has welcomed the launch of a report by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland on e-safety for young people. The report, carried out by National Children’s Bureau NI, highlighted the importance of the 4 C’s – content, contact, conduct and commercialism. The report, ‘An exploration of e-safety messages to […]

Opinion piece by Anna Lo on the EU agriculture funding row

Many people will have been bemused by the recent court case between two Executive Ministers over how much funding from the Common Agricultural Policy will be given directly to farmers and how much will be spent on rural development. It is worrying that they could not resolve this issue within the confines of the Executive […]