Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has called for votes at 16 to be extended to Northern Ireland, after new rules allowing it came into force today in Wales. Sixteen and 17-year-olds in Wales can now vote in Senedd elections, with the next one expected next year. Around 65,000 16 and 17-year-olds are expected to benefit from […]
Alliance Communities Spokesperson Kellie Armstrong has urged the Minister to Northern Ireland’s growing housing problem a priority. The MLA for Strangford was speaking as the Housing Bill was introduced to the Assembly, aiming to take forward a change to the way housing associations are designated. She said: “Everyone has the right to safe and appropriate […]
A social partnership approach involving Government, businesses, trade unions and the third sector can help our economy recover from the COVID-19 crisis, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. The North Down MLA was speaking after the Assembly backed an amendment from his party calling for such an approach to the post-coronavirus recovery, while seeking a […]
Alliance Councillor Karen Douglas has reiterated calls for everyone to think carefully before visiting key beauty spots, after reports a PSNI officer was injured patrolling a packed Ballyholme beach. Speaking after the PSNI released a statement confirming an incident had occurred, Karen said now was the time for everyone to ensure the good work for […]
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has urged the Economy Minister to give details on what financial support her Department can provide the taxi industry to get through the pandemic. The North Down MLA said guidance relating to social distancing requirements in taxis was also needed. He made the call after the Minister failed to […]
The UK Government needs to step in with a rescue package for local airports, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. Mr Blair was speaking after Belfast International Airport told staff to expect voluntary redundancies, after management warned it did not see air travel ‘returning to pre-COVID-19 levels for a few years’. It is estimated up […]
Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said five Catholic grammar schools have shown welcome leadership after they announced they will not use transfer tests for taking pupils next year. The Co Down schools – Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Our Lady’s Grammar School, Sacred Heart Grammar School, and St Colman’s College in Newry, and […]
Tackling rising waiting lists in Northern Ireland needs to receive the same sense of urgency and focus as the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said. Ms Bradshaw was speaking after the publication of the latest quarterly waiting lists statistics from the Department of Health. They showed waiting times […]
Provision needs to be made for implementing protocol checks regarding post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. Speaking after Finance Minister Conor Murphy confirmed he would be holding the Treasury to previous Brexit commitments, John said it was clear more detail was needed to pin down exactly how and when this […]
Alliance Belfast Councillors have called for a clear strategy to be developed to help aid the city’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis. Councillor Michael Long, the party’s group leader in Belfast, has already raised the issue with other group party leaders, calling for a task force to be established that includes Council, Assembly, Departments and […]