Budget Delays Let Community Down Says Farry

Alliance Party Finance Spokesperson, Stephen Farry MLA, has responded to comments from Sammy Wilson warning that the draft budget for Northern Ireland could be delayed after the UK Comprehensive Spending Review on 20th October, by stressing the importance of advanced planning and consultation. Stephen Farry MLA said: “The politics around the Budget timetable is not […]

Neeson welcomes green energy targets but says we need Green New Deal

Alliance Energy Spokesperson Seán Neeson MLA has welcomed a new strategy which has set a target that 40% of electricity should come from alternative sources by 2020 but he said it’s vitally important that a Green New Deal is implemented here. Targets have been set out in the Strategic Energy Framework for Northern Ireland 2010 […]

Long hails step closer to lottery funding for Nomadic

East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long has welcomed news that the SS Nomadic ship restoration project is a step closer to gaining more that £2m of Heritage Lottery funding. Naomi Long MLA said: “What sets Belfast apart from other cities with Titanic history is that we have so many authentic Titanic artefacts. Projects like the […]

Revenue Raising Must be Fair stresses Alliance

Alliance Party Finance Spokesperson, Stephen Farry MLA, responding to leaked Executive papers setting out a range of options for the raising of additional revenue in Northern Ireland, has emphasised that the core issue is not whether such resources are obtained but rather the fairness of the process. Stephen Farry stated: “Alliance has been much more […]

Cost of segregation cannot be ignored with budget cuts looming

Lagan Valley Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has said that with massive cuts in our budget expected, the cost of segregation must be addressed. Around £1billion is wasted every year on maintaining a divided society in Northern Ireland. Trevor Lunn MLA said: “Tackling to cost of segregation is the most sensible way to start balancing Northern […]

Martin delighted by Dobbies opening

Alliance Lisburn South representative Stephen Martin has expressed his delight at today’s opening of Dobbies Garden World in Lisburn. Stephen Martin stated: “Lagan Valley Alliance very much welcome today’s opening of the new Dobbies Garden World at Saintfield Road , Lisburn. By choosing our city as their first base in Northern Ireland , Dobbies Garden […]

McCarthy says it’s vital that local football can access funding

Following an IFA meeting last night in which proposals which could have put in jeopardy a reported £23m of funding were withdrawn, Alliance Culture, Arts and Leisure Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has called for everything possible to be done to ensure the funding can be provided as soon as possible. Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “We […]

Campbell condemns arson attack on Ballyclare church

Newtownabbey Alliance Group Leader Cllr Tom Campbell has condemned an arson attack on Ballyclare Presbyterian Church. The fire was spotted in the kitchen area of the church in Doagh Road in the town at about 11.50pm last night. Cllr Tom Campbell said: “This was a despicable attack and the community will be shocked and appalled […]

Lunn concerned at dog attack figures and calls for tougher laws

Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has expressed shock at figures from the Western Health Trust that show that over 100 people have attended accident and emergency in the area after being attacked by dogs since the start of the year. Trevor Lunn MLA said: “This is a deeply worrying statistic and it illustrates very clearly why […]

Alliance raises issue of nursery provision with Minister

East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long has raised the issue of the over subscription of nursery places in the area in a meeting with the Education Minister Caitríona Ruane. Alliance Councillor Judith Cochrane and Naomi Long MP have been campaigning on the issue for a long time, and Naomi asked the Minister to consider changing […]