East Belfast Alliance Councillor Mervyn Jones has welcomed the opening of the new IKEA store at Hollywood Exchange in Belfast saying it shows the region can compete strongly to lure big names to Belfast. Councillor Mervyn Jones said: “This opening is great news for Belfast. IKEA has created many new jobs and has also created […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MLA has accused First Minister Ian Paisley of making comments which she believes could place the entire Victim’s Commissioner appointment process in jeopardy. She raised the issue at the OFMDFM Committee today and branded the comments he made in First Minister’s Questions on Monday about the previous appointment process ‘a […]
Alliance Leader David Ford MLA has criticised DARD for the way that the sale of the AFBI site at Crossnacreevy is being handled, with the result that a valuable asset is being lost from DARD and handed over to the Department of Finance. David Ford said: “When the Minister announced the sale of Crossnacreevy to […]
Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has hit out at UK Children’s Secretary Ed Balls for failing to provide any cash for Northern Ireland in his £1billion Children’s Plan. Mr McCarthy has asked why he has left Northern Ireland out of the plan which was unveiled yesterday. The cash will help create more play areas […]
Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has blasted FIFA’s plans regarding footballer eligibility as one which will reinforce sectarianism in the sport. Commenting following today’s debate in the Assembly on the issue, Mr Lunn said it also creates an extremely difficult precedent which could throw international football into turmoil. The Lagan Valley MLA stated: “There are a […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has blasted the Finance Minister Peter Robinson over the budget and the impact it could have on our fire service. His comments come after Chair of the Fire and Rescue Service Board Bill Gillespie said that about £15 million is needed annually, but only £4 million will be provided […]
Speaking on the eve of its launch, Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MLA has outlined her hope that the All Party Assembly Group on Road Safety, of which she is Secretary, will contribute to the effort to reduce the number of deaths on our roads. The Minister for Environment, Mrs Arlene Foster, will address the […]
Alliance Employment and Learning Spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has hit out at the Sinn Fein MLAs who did not vote against student fees increases in the Assembly today. South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo said: “Where were the Sinn Fein MLAs who oppose student fees but did not vote against them today? Are some people […]
Alliance Leader David Ford has launched a campaign to create a Northern Ireland Commission to address climate change. He said that there are targets to be met and Northern Ireland is lagging behind other parts of the UK on environmental protection. His call for the creation of the Commission came as the Assembly today agreed […]
After attending today’s demonstration at Stormont, Alliance MLA Anna Lo has reiterated her support for the arts and called on the Executive to increase funding to secure its future. She said that a strong arts sector is vital to enhance tourism. South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo said: “Our arts sector needs far more support. […]