Lunn reveals staggering backlog of School Governor applications

Alliance Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has revealed in an answer he received to a written question to Minister Caitríona Ruane that almost 500 people are still on the waiting list to become School Governors. The Minister’s Department released a statement on 23 February calling for new school governors to step forward as there are […]

Ford welcomes news of Queen’s visit to Ireland

Alliance Leader David Ford has welcomed the announcement that the Queen is going to visit Ireland this year. David Ford said: “I wholeheartedly welcome the announcement from President McAleese that the Queen is to visit Ireland. This is a further and extremely significant step forward in building positive relationships between all the people of these […]

Alliance Backs Improved Budget Agreement

Alliance Party Finance Spokesperson, Stephen Farry MLA, has set out the basis of his party’s support for the Executive’s Budget 2011-2015 and highlighted the beginnings of a more strategic approach including addressing the costs of division. Dr Stephen Farry MLA stated: “This Budget is not an Alliance Budget. We have our own ideas, emphasis and […]

Campbell – Vandalism at Loughshore Park has hurt the community

Alliance Newtownabbey Councillor Tom Campbell has condemned those behind damage done to repair work to the Loughshore Park on Wednesday night. The park, play area and car park were closed for renovation but was broken into where thieves stole wiring in one of the buildings causing extensive damage Cllr Tom Campbell said: “These thieves have […]

Alliance tells UUP & SDLP your game is up, quit Executive now

Following the SDLP and UUP voting against the improved Budget deal in the Executive, Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has said their game is up and they must now leave the Executive. Trevor Lunn MLA said: “The Ulster Unionists and SDLP need to seriously examine their position, which appears to be unsustainable. They have voted against […]

Lo comments on water crisis reports

Alliance Regional Development Spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has said she is concerned that the independent report on the water crisis at Christmas may not have provided sufficient reassurances that such a crisis will never happen again. Commenting on the independent report, Anna Lo MLA said: “Irrespective of perceptions regarding the choice of those who wrote […]

McCarthy – Length of waiting list for outpatient operations is unacceptable

Alliance Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has criticised the Health Minister for failing to act on waiting list for outpatient operations. Over 54,000 people have been waiting more than 9 weeks for an outpatient operation despite the Ministerial target for there to be no person on the list for more than that period. Kieran McCarthy […]

Hendron anger at vandalism at Short Strand chapel

Local Alliance Councillor Máire Hendron has expressed disgust at thugs who painted a graffiti threat against Neil Lennon on St Matthew’s Church in the Short Strand area of East Belfast in the wake of the Celtic-Rangers match last night. Spotlights were also smashed at the church. Cllr Máire Hendron said: “This is a disgrace and […]

Report should be catalyst for new approach to protect listed buildings – Muir

North Down Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has said he hope the recent Audit Office report which highlighted failures concerning how government protects historic listed buildings will provide impetus for a step change to deliver better protection and consevation. Cllr Muir stated: “The Audit Office report shines a light on the lack of action from the […]