Lyttle welcomes maiden flight of Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft

Alliance East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed the maiden flight of Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft which took place in Montreal, Canada. The wing section of the new CSeries aircraft is manufactured in Bombardier’s Belfast factory. Chris Lyttle MLA said: “The maiden flight of Bombardier’s new CSeries aircraft is continuing proof of Belfast’s exceptional achievement in […]

McCarthy says Poots must stop using public money to fight his personal campaigns

Alliance Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has said that the Health Minister Edwin Poots must stop using public money to fight his personal campaigns against civil partners adopting and gay men donating blood. Poots has spent £40,000 on legal costs trying to prevent civil couples from adopting and £17,000 appealing a Court of Appeal decision […]

Dickson welcomes update from Health and Justice Ministers on child sex abuse investigation

Alliance Justice spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has welcomed an update from the Health Minister Edwin Poots and Justice Minister David Ford on the child sex abuse investigation. It is believed that 22 young people in the care system may have been sexually exploited. Stewart’s comments were made following a joint Health and Justice Committee meeting […]

Lunn: Hazelwood situation must be urgently resolved

Alliance Education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has said all groups involved must act quickly to end the uncertainty for teachers, pupils and parents at Hazelwood Integrated College. Trevor Lunn MLA said: “I have written to the Belfast Education and Library Board to ask for clarification on what plans are in place to resolve this issue. […]

Mayor supports One Book mental health initiative

North Down Mayor Councillor Andrew Muir supported the Libraries NI The Health in Mind One Book Initiative on Thursday, September 12, 2013. The scheme is supported by Action Mental Health, Aware Defeat Depression, Mind Wise, Cause, Public Health Agency and Libraries NI. Helen Osborn (Director of Library Services, Libraries NI), Lynda Bryans (Aware Defeat Depression […]

Clarke: Mountain Bike Trails continuing to attract visitors to Castlewellan Forest Park

Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed the success to date of the Mountain Bike Trails in Castlewellan Forest Park. A substantive rise in user numbers was revealed at the latest Castlewellan Inter-Agency meeting, held in the Lodge, Castlewellan, on September 11. Councillor Patrick Clarke said: “Outdoor Recreation have now entered into a service level agreement […]

Lo – Lucid Talk poll backs Alliance position on designated days for Council flag

Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has said that a poll by Lucid Talk has shown that designated days is the most popular option for when the Union Flag should be flown on Council headquarters. 23% supported designated days, while 21% supported it being flown all year round, 14% supported a civic flag, 12% supported […]

Cochrane: ‘Digital DNA’ conference can help improve digital skills of local businesses

Alliance East Belfast MLA Judith Cochrane has said the ‘Digital DNA’ conference, which is taking place in the Titanic Building today can help local businesses improve their digital media skills to help them grow. It is being sponsored by the MBA Association of Ireland, the representative body for MBA graduates living and working in Ireland, […]

Lo says McKinney comments on Newry play park is a backward step for SDLP

Alliance South Belfast MLA Anna Lo has criticised comments in the News Letter from new SDLP MLA Fearghal McKinney in which he tried to justify the decision by SDLP Councillors to support the naming of a play park in Newry after convicted terrorist Raymond McCreesh. Mr McKinney claimed that the SDLP were trying to end […]

Alliance condemns attack on Newtownabbey Catholic Church

Alliance Newtownabbey Councillors Billy Webb and John Blair have condemned an attack on St Mary’s Catholic Church on the Shore Road in Newtownabbey. It is believed that a petrol bomb was thrown at the building. A paint bomb may also have been thrown. Cllr Billy Webb said: “I am saddened and disgusted that anyone can […]