Latest releases

Alliance · 9 November 2026

DUP punishing children and schools through latest Petition of Concern, says Tennyson

Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA says the DUP's Petition of Concern against an Assembly bill on Irish-medium education punishes children and schools. He calls for reform of Stormont so no single party can block progress.

Education Disability and equality Original release: DUP punishing children and schools through latest Petition of Concern, says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 9 November 2026

Alliance comment on announcement of new contract between GPs and Department of Health

Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA welcomes the new GP contract but says the BMA's view that the offer is a drop in the ocean means it cannot cap ambition. She urges all parties to join Alliance's proposed multi-party framework for health and social care.

Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Alliance comment on announcement of new contract between GPs and Department of Health (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 4 November 2026

Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible

Alliance Belfast Councillor Michael Long welcomes Belfast City Council's endorsement of an Alliance proposal to have council officers meet the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee before next year's Fleadh. The move follows disability groups' concerns about this year's event.

Disability and equality Local government Issue: Fleadh 2026 accessibility concerns and proposals Original release: Alliance calls for progress in making Fleadh more accessible (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 4 November 2026

Stewart Dickson and Danny Donnelly selected as Alliance East Antrim Assembly candidates

Alliance MLAs Stewart Dickson and Danny Donnelly announce they have been re-selected to stand for East Antrim at the 6 May 2027 Assembly election. Dickson calls for voters to retain their two cross-community MLAs, while Donnelly stresses health service reform.

Community relations and legacy Health Issue: Alliance selects East Antrim Assembly candidates Original release: Stewart Dickson and Danny Donnelly selected as Alliance East Antrim Assembly candidates (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 3 November 2026

Collapse of maternity services at Daisy Hill a result of failure to act with urgency, says Danny Donnelly MLA

Alliance Health Spokesperson Danny Donnelly MLA says the temporary move of Daisy Hill inpatient maternity services to Craigavon Area Hospital from 23 November 2026 is a clear failure for women. He calls on the Health Minister to restore full services at Daisy Hill and to act on the Renfrew…

Health Issue: Daisy Hill Hospital maternity services suspension Original release: Collapse of maternity services at Daisy Hill a result of failure to act with urgency, says Danny Donnelly MLA (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 30 October 2026

Egan welcomes Bail Support Pilot for women

Alliance Justice Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the Department of Justice’s new bail‑support scheme for women in Belfast and Ballymena, saying it recognises complex needs, offers early help for women on remand and should improve outcomes for them, families and community safety.

Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Bail Support Pilot announcement Original release: Egan welcomes Bail Support Pilot for women (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 29 October 2026

Andrew Muir and Connie Egan selected as Alliance North Down Assembly candidates

Alliance MLAs Andrew Muir and Connie Egan say they have been re‑selected to contest North Down in the 6 May 2027 Assembly election, highlighting Muir’s record on water quality, climate action and farming, and Egan’s work on ending violence against women, integrated education and a reformed Stormont.

Other Environment and climate Original release: Andrew Muir and Connie Egan selected as Alliance North Down Assembly candidates (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 28 October 2026

Alliance representatives express concern following devastating oil contamination incident

Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland and Braid Councillor Chelsea Harwood express shock over an oil contamination incident at BEWWT in Broughshane, which killed several birds including two Trumpeter swans. They pay tribute to volunteers, and Harwood urges people with knowledge of the vandalism to contact…

Environment and climate Issue: Broughshane Environment Waterfowl and Wildlife Trust oil contamination Original release: Alliance representatives express concern following devastating oil contamination incident (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 27 October 2026

New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair

Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the launch of the Nature Recovery Strategy, calling it a chance to turn around decades of decline. He points to 12 per cent of species facing extinction and urges other parties to back the strategy without further delay.

Environment and climate Issue: Launch of Nature Recovery Strategy Original release: New Strategy must mark a turning point for nature in Northern Ireland, says Blair (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 22 October 2026

John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate

Alliance MLA John Blair has been selected to stand for Alliance in South Antrim at the 2027 Assembly election, pledging better rural facilities, lower living costs, animal welfare, environmental protection and cuts to health waiting lists.

Other Health Original release: John Blair selected as Alliance South Antrim Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 22 October 2026

Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds

Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA says the planning system is holding back growth, citing provisional statistics for April to June 2026 showing over 30% of live applications open for more than a year. He calls for a comprehensive reform programme, including mandatory…

Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Planning system statistics and business concerns Original release: Planning system continues to hold back economic growth, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 21 October 2026

Richard Brown-Stewart selected as Alliance East Londonderry Assembly candidate

Alliance councillor Richard Brown-Stewart says he has been selected to stand for East Londonderry in the 2027 Assembly election, citing his record as councillor and Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens. He pledges work on childcare, public transport, second homes and holiday lets, and energy…

Economy and employment Local government Original release: Richard Brown-Stewart selected as Alliance East Londonderry Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 22 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 18 October 2026

Bradshaw to present petition calling for safe school crossing at Lough View

Infrastructure and transport Education Original release: Bradshaw to present petition calling for safe school crossing at Lough View (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 16 October 2026

Sian Mulholland selected as Alliance North Antrim Assembly candidate

Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has been chosen to contest the North Antrim seat at the 6 May 2027 Assembly election, saying she will prioritise fighting poverty, easing the cost of living, improving women’s health services, securing affordable homes and reducing energy bills.

Economy and employment Health Original release: Sian Mulholland selected as Alliance North Antrim Assembly candidate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 16 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 15 October 2026

Doctors strike and nurses ballot highlights failure of Minister to prioritise pay awards, says Nuala McAllister MLA

Alliance health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA says the announced BMA strike involving consultants, SAS doctors and resident doctors, plus the Royal College of Nursing's planned ballot of its members, reflects the Health Minister's failure to prioritise pay awards.

Health Economy and employment Original release: Doctors strike and nurses ballot highlights failure of Minister to prioritise pay awards, says Nuala McAllister MLA (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 14 October 2026

Long issues ‘direct call’ to political leaders to agree Cross-Party Compact on health reform

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA urges the leaders of all Assembly parties to forge a joint agreement on health and social care transformation, warning that long waiting lists, missed cancer targets and chronic hospital corridor delays risk total system collapse.

Health Original release: Long issues ‘direct call’ to political leaders to agree Cross-Party Compact on health reform (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 12 October 2026

Executive Office must refocus on issues associated with population ageing, says Bradshaw

Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA responds to the Commissioner for Older People's ageing population report, urging the First and deputy First Minister to shift focus to demographic change. She says they have not mentioned issues such as dementia prevalence, social housing…

Health Original release: Executive Office must refocus on issues associated with population ageing, says Bradshaw (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 8 October 2026

Neurology Services must be properly funded, says McReynolds

Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds says £2.3 million in new neurology funding, announced alongside a Neurology Delivery Team, falls far short of the over £65m the Department's Regional Review said is needed. He calls on the Health Minister to act urgently to fully fund neurology services.

Health Public finance and taxation Original release: Neurology Services must be properly funded, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)