Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said the Education Minister should have planned for early school closure for Christmas. Mr Lyttle, Chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee, was speaking after the Minister attended the Committee to be quizzed by MLAs on the issue. Several schools have said pupils will not be marked absent if […]
Alliance representatives have called on the Economy and Infrastructure Ministers to urgently agree a support package for taxi drivers and operators in need of assistance during the pandemic. Andrew Muir MLA and Stewart Dickson MLA were speaking after meetings of the Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committees today (Wednesday) where the issue was discussed. A support […]
Alliance Party Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the announcement of reimbursement of strike pay for nurses is just the first of many towards a fair pay and conditions settlement for nurses. The South Belfast MLA said: “The announcement of reimbursement of pay for strike action is welcome, but merely repeats an assurance already […]
Progress on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol following a UK-EU agreement in principle is welcome but unfinished business on the issue remains, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. The North Down MP was speaking after Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove outlined to Parliament details of the agreement in principle. “The Protocol is the […]
Alliance Communities spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has encouraged charities to apply for new funding announced by the Communities Minister. Carál Ní Chuilín unveiled the second round of funding from the £11.7 million COVID-19 Charities Fund, which opens on January 6. Pre-application information including eligibility, guidance and the application form will be available from December 14 on the Community Finance Ireland website. “I […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said it is disappointing a consultation into an Executive Climate Change Bill aims to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 instead of 2030 but added the Bill as a whole is a vital move. Environment Minister Edwin Poots has launched the consultation, which will see the […]
Alliance Newry and Armagh representative Jackie Coade has welcomed an investigation into alleged pro-IRA chanting by a camogie team. In a video posted on social media, the Armagh county team appeared to be singing a pro-IRA song, following their win in the weekend’s Junior All-Ireland Championship final. Ulster Camogie has now referred the incident to […]
Provisional agreement between the UK and EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol is encouraging news but more detail is needed, Alliance MP and Brexit spokesperson Stephen Farry has said. The agreement in principle over issues including border controls will mean the UK Government withdrawing clauses from the Internal Market Bill. “This is an encouraging development […]
Belfast City Council has backed an Alliance motion to call on the Minister for Communities for Northern Ireland to bring forward the Disability Strategy to improve enforcement of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 25 years on since it came into law. Speaking after his motion passed at Belfast City Council to note the 25th anniversary […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the announcement the first stage of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, starting tomorrow, will include care home residents as well as workers. The residents will be prioritised in the first stage, with the first jabs being distributed to vaccinators on Tuesday (December 8). Deployment to care homes will […]