Latest releases

Alliance · 23 August 2023

Nicholl expresses disgust at hate crime against Dunmurry Mosque

Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: Nicholl expresses disgust at hate crime against Dunmurry Mosque (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 21 August 2023

Egan calls for review of home to school transport across Northern Ireland

Alliance Education spokesperson Connie Egan calls for a review of home to school transport to restart, after the Department of Education placed it on indefinite hold.

Education Infrastructure and transport Original release: Egan calls for review of home to school transport across Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 18 August 2023

Questions still remain surrounding blue-green algae, says Blair, following response from DAERA

Alliance spokesperson John Blair MLA says questions remain over blue-green algal blooms and water quality after a DAERA written response. He asks whether pollution contributed to the blooms, seeks transparency from the Department and Councils, and wants public awareness processes reviewed urgently.

Environment and climate Original release: Questions still remain surrounding blue-green algae, says Blair, following response from DAERA (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 16 August 2023

Clarity needed on cross-departmental collaboration for managing budget, says Armstrong

Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Civil Service head to explain how departments are coordinating budget decisions, linking unbuilt housing targets in Strangford to unfunded waste water treatment and calling for Stormont's return.

Public finance and taxation Housing Original release: Clarity needed on cross-departmental collaboration for managing budget, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 8 August 2023

Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives

Alliance Party’s John Blair MLA, agriculture and environment spokesperson, and Causeway councillor Peter McCully urge DAERA to clarify and accelerate investigations into blue‑green algae outbreaks, assess any pollution link and publish findings, citing health risks and tourism impacts.

Environment and climate Original release: Clarity needed on measures to investigate and tackle blue-green algae, says Alliance Party representatives (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 4 August 2023

Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA rejects the current Health Budget, saying it is unfairly drawn up without ministers and calls for the Core Grants Funding Scheme to be maintained and expanded to tackle health inequalities.

Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 3 August 2023

North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan

Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan says it is very worrying that several bathing sites across North Down have failed water quality tests, prompting warning signs and advice to stay out of the water. She welcomes a DAERA water pollution investigation and says she will press DAERA and the NI…

Environment and climate Original release: North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 2 August 2023

A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood

Alliance's Lagan Valley MLA Sorcha Eastwood says the DUP boycott is stalling planned safety improvements to the A1, following a meeting with the Department for Infrastructure on progress.

Infrastructure and transport Original release: A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 1 August 2023

Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle

Alliance Alderman Lewis Boyle says he is dismayed that his motion to raise the Progress Pride flag from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council buildings each year on Belfast Pride day was defeated, with the UUP opposed and the SDLP abstaining. He accuses the UUP of empty rhetoric on LGBTQ+ issues.

Disability and equality Local government Original release: Defeat of Progress Pride flag motion a shameful display from ANB Council, says Boyle (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 31 July 2023

Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson

Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 31 July 2023

PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray

Alliance Belfast City Councillor Micky Murray says he will meet the Assistant Chief Constable on 2 August to raise concerns about hate speech at Belfast Pride and seek assurances that the PSNI is treating anti-gay prejudice and hate offences seriously.

Justice and policing Disability and equality Original release: PSNI need to take necessary action on hate speech at Belfast Pride, says Cllr Murray (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 28 July 2023

We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride

Alliance's Kate Nicholl MLA, who speaks on diversity and migration, wishes attendees a safe Pride ahead of Belfast Pride's parade and says hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people are rising, urging these attitudes be challenged early.

Disability and equality Original release: We all have our part to play combating discrimination and supporting those who are marginalised, says Nicholl, ahead of Belfast Pride (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 27 July 2023

Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair

Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA says Northern Ireland has again failed on its environmental commitments after DAERA missed the deadline for its first Environment Improvement Plan. He blames the lack of a functioning Executive and calls for Assembly scrutiny and a Minister to lead.

Environment and climate Original release: Environmental crisis in NI only being fuelled by lack of Executive, says Blair (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 27 July 2023

Executive needed to address biggest crisis in NI in last 25 years, says Farry

Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP says Northern Ireland faces its most serious situation since the Good Friday Agreement, after a cross-party meeting with the Head of the Civil Service. He calls for a financial package and an Executive to be formed, blaming the DUP for the governance vacuum.

Public finance and taxation Constitutional affairs Original release: Executive needed to address biggest crisis in NI in last 25 years, says Farry (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 18 July 2023

Act now to capitalise on green economy opportunity says Eastwood

Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood calls for faster public investment and streamlined planning on green energy after a CBI analysis on the UK green economy. She says Northern Ireland is falling behind while the DUP boycott blocks governance, and urges action on grid upgrades and green skills.

Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Act now to capitalise on green economy opportunity says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 18 July 2023

Alliance to review GAA’s VEAT notice for Casement Park

Alliance says it will review the GAA's recently issued transparency notice on proposed design and cost changes to Casement Park, and will discuss the changes with the GAA and ask for their detailed proposals. Alliance also says the stadium's economic benefits justify the investment.

Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Alliance to review GAA’s VEAT notice for Casement Park (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 14 July 2023

PSNI decision over Belfast Pride has set clock back on relations with LGBTQ+ community, says McAllister

Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister criticises the PSNI decision to bar officers from wearing uniform at the Belfast Pride parade, saying it sets back years of work on relations with the LGBTQ+ community. She urges police to reverse the decision before the parade.

Disability and equality Justice and policing Original release: PSNI decision over Belfast Pride has set clock back on relations with LGBTQ+ community, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)