Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry MLA, has written to the Home Office Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne, in support of efforts to prevent the deportation of Lordorice Djuntso and her daughter Imelda to Cameroon. Stephen Farry stated: “This family is currently in the Earlswood detention centre in Berkshire awaiting imminent deportation to Cameroon. “Lordorice had […]

Alliance Leader David Ford has called for a cut in the number of government departments and Assembly Members locally. His call comes today as the committee looking into institutional review sits for the first time. He stated that reducing the number of departments and MLAs would free-up cash to invest in vital frontline services. David […]

North Down Alliance MLA Stephen Farry has welcomed the statement from the Department of Social Development Minister recognising the unsustainable financial and social costs of residential segregation, and committing her Department to address the problem. These comments were made in response to a debate in the Assembly on the large number of empty homes in […]

The Alliance Party has placed an amendment to the Assembly motion today on the affordable housing crisis: That this Assembly expresses serious concerns about the affordable housing crisis, and calls upon the Minister for Social Development to co-ordinate urgently with the Housing Executive, Housing Associations, and all other relevant bodies to release and set aside […]

Alliance Spokesperson Cllr Mervyn Jones has hit out at the Conservative Party over their policy flop-flop on grammar schools. He stated that local Tories are now anti-grammar school, even though they made protecting grammar schools their main priority during the recent election campaign. The Belfast City Councillor said: “Local Tories are now anti-grammar school. “They […]

Alliance Environment Spokesperson Cllr Stewart Dickson has blasted Environment Minister Arlene Foster’s carbon offsetting as a publicity stunt and said she must convince local people she is serious about making the public sector more environmentally friendly. His comments come following her pledge to plant trees to offset carbon emissions caused by Department of Environment staff […]

Alliance Leader David Ford has welcomed assurances from the new Environment and Agriculture Ministers that they will work together to the ensure best deal for local farmers. On Thursday morning at her speech to the DARD breakfast at the Balmoral Show, Michelle Gildernew, the new Minister accepted that in the past, DARD and the DOE […]

Alliance Culture Arts and Leisure spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has demanded more cash for the Arts Council. He raised the issue at the Assembly’s first DCAL committee meeting. The Strangford MLA said: “A serious problem in the culture sector is the severe underfunding of the Arts Council. “I raised this point at the DCAL Assembly […]

Alliance Party Leader David Ford has welcomed study results indicating Northern Ireland’s shoreline is now significantly cleaner, but noted sewage discharges remain a significant problem. David Ford, who sits on the Assembly’s Environment Committee, stated: “The last Executive and direct rule Ministers have failed to address the real problem with the water and sewerage infrastructure […]

Alliance Economy Spokesperson Seán Neeson MLA has blasted Ian Paisley for his comments in about to getting more cash out of Westminster. The comments were made by Ian Paisley while he praised new Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. The East Antrim MLA stated: “It is absolute nonsense to talk about “getting more out of” Government […]