Lo highlights need for National Park in Northern Ireland at visit to Loch Lomond

Alliance Environment Spokesperson Anna Lo MLA, who is chair of the Environment Committee, will highlight the need for Northern Ireland to have a National Park during her visit to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in Scotland on Wednesday 26th September with her Committee. Northern Ireland is the only region in these Islands […]

Duncan welcomes Assembly support to end age discrimination

Alliance Councillor Alderman Sara Duncan has welcomed support from the Assembly regarding equality for all ages. The Castlereagh Councillor was speaking after Junior Ministers Jennifer McCann and Jonathan Bell said equality for all, regardless of age, is a key issue for the Executive. The Junior Ministers were speaking at an Equality Commission seminar, entitled Strengthening […]

Cochrane – Special Advisors Bill is in conflict with Good Friday Agreement

Alliance MLA Judith Cochrane has said that Jim Allister’s Civil Service (Special Advisors) Bill is not in keeping with the Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews Agreement. She was speaking in the Assembly today on the Bill which aims to produce a revised code of conduct for appointment of Special Advisors. If the bill passes […]

Dornan welcomes withdrawal of proposal to give Orange Order freedom of Lisburn

Alliance Lisburn Council Group Leader Cllr Brian Dornan has welcomed the decision to withdraw the proposal by the DUP for the Orange Order to be given the freedom of the City of Lisburn. The proposal would have needed a majority of two thirds, but 40% of the Councillors have come out in opposition to it. […]

Dickson says Ministers must do more to answer Assembly questions on time

Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson MLA has called on Ministers to ensure that they answer Assembly Questions on time. His comments follow the release of statistics that show the Department of the Environment has the worst record with 68.7% of questions being answered late, with DoJ being the best with only 0.9% late. OFMDFM was […]

Lyttle encourages people to volunteer at World Police and Fire Games

Alliance Sports spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has encouraged people to volunteer at the World Police and Fire Games that are being hosted here next year. His comments follow a question he asked during Assembly Questions to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Chris Lyttle MLA said: “With the recent success of the London Olympics […]

Rice angry at Minister’s decision

Alliance Castlereagh Councillor Geraldine Rice has criticised the Environment Minister for granting planning permission for a development that will see 150 more apartments built in Carryduff, despite over 2,000 objections being lodged in opposition to it. Cllr Rice was speaking after Alex Attwood revealed yesterday (Thursday) that he had given the okay for the demolition […]

Dickson says McCausland did break Ministerial Code

Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson MLA has stated that by Nelson McCausland’s refusal to condemn the violence that erupted following a parade past St Patrick’s Church on Clifton Street, North Belfast on 25thAugust, he did break the Ministerial Code. He also criticised Mike Nesbitt and the UUP for opposing the Assembly motion that would have […]

Dickson says Nesbitt has not been able to get UUP out of downward spiral

Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson MLA has stated that Mike Nesbitt has not been able to define a clear message for the UUP or get the UUP out of the downward spiral that they have been in for several years. Stewart’s comments follow Mike Nesbitt’s leader’s speech to the UUP conference at the Titanic signature […]