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 Issue: DUP petition of concern against Irish-medium Education Workforce Plan Bill 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 · 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 · 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 · 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 Issue: Alliance selects North Antrim Assembly candidate 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 · 7 October 2026

Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies

Alliance Belfast Councillor Christine Bower welcomes the committee passage of her motion to make public spaces safer for people with severe allergies, ahead of full council ratification next month. She proposes child-friendly hand-washing signage at play parks, better-placed waste bins, staff…

Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Council motion on safer public spaces for severe allergies Original release: Bower welcomes passing of motion to make public spaces safer for those with severe allergies (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 29 September 2026

Tennyson welcomes Conversion Practices Bill passing second stage

Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA welcomes his Conversion Practices Bill clearing second stage in the Assembly, with the bill now moving to Committee Stage. He calls conversion practices cruel and archaic and says the bill protects LGBT+ people while preserving free speech and religious…

Disability and equality Issue: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill Second Stage debate Original release: Tennyson welcomes Conversion Practices Bill passing second stage (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 10 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 17 September 2026

Eastwood demands equitable access to new breast cancer treatment for patients in Northern Ireland

Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood calls for equitable access to Enhertu, a life-extending breast cancer drug now available on the NHS in England, for patients in Northern Ireland. She has written to Health Minister Robbie Butler seeking an urgent timetable for its availability locally.

Health Disability and equality Issue: Enhertu breast cancer drug availability in Northern Ireland Original release: Eastwood demands equitable access to new breast cancer treatment for patients in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 17 September 2026

Infrastructure Minister must act on sand-dredging at Lough Neagh, says Blair

Alliance Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA calls on the Infrastructure Minister to pause commercial sand dredging on Lough Neagh until a review of permissions and environmental assessments is completed, citing evidence that dredging releases nutrients linked to algal blooms. He also urges…

Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Lough Neagh sand dredging nutrient release and NIEA licence review letter Original release: Infrastructure Minister must act on sand-dredging at Lough Neagh, says Blair (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 15 September 2026

Conversion Practices Bill a historic opportunity for progress, says Tennyson, ahead of debate

Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA calls on Assembly members from all parties to back the Conversion Practices Bill at Second Stage, describing it as a historic opportunity to ban conversion practices he calls cruel and archaic.

Disability and equality Issue: Conversion Practices Bill Second Stage debate Original release: Conversion Practices Bill a historic opportunity for progress, says Tennyson, ahead of debate (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 11 September 2026

Mathison welcomes Education Minister's U-Turn on girls wearing trousers to school

Alliance Education spokesperson and Education Committee Chair Nick Mathison MLA welcomes the Education Minister's updated legal guidelines on girls' right to wear trousers as school uniform, describing it as a U-turn on an earlier decision.

Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister Givan's school trousers guidance for girls Original release: Mathison welcomes Education Minister's U-Turn on girls wearing trousers to school (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 12 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 9 September 2026

Yet another Creswell victim let down by incompetence in investigation, says McAllister

Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister welcomes a Police Ombudsman report finding the PSNI failed a 2016 complainant over an indecent exposure allegation against Jonathan Creswell. She calls for full transparency, an explanation of why misconduct recommendations are not being followed, and a…

Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Police Ombudsman findings on PSNI handling of 2016 Creswell complaint Original release: Yet another Creswell victim let down by incompetence in investigation, says McAllister (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 16 August 2026

Egan condemns racist graffiti in Holywood

Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan condemns racist graffiti found in the Seapark area of Holywood, saying there is no place for hatred or racism in the community. She says Alliance will engage with police to have the graffiti removed and those responsible held to account.

Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Racist graffiti found in Seapark area of Holywood Original release: Egan condemns racist graffiti in Holywood (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 10 August 2026

Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps

Alliance representatives across Belfast call on Belfast City Council, the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities and Translink to commission a comprehensive review of city centre pedestrianisation, building on the Fleadh Cheoil. South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl says…

Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Fleadh Cheoil pedestrianisation of Belfast city centre review call Original release: Fleadh shows Belfast’s potential, now lets make pedestrianisation of city centre permanent and accessible, say Alliance reps (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 3 August 2026

Alliance representatives condemn racially motivated vandalism of homes in Holywood

Alliance North Down’s MLA Andrew Muir and Alderman Martin McRandal condemned two hate‑crime attacks on homes in Holywood’s Church Green and Church Road, urging anyone with information to contact the PSNI and stressing the community’s inclusive values.

Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Racist vandalism of homes in Holywood Original release: Alliance representatives condemn racially motivated vandalism of homes in Holywood (opens in a new tab)

Alliance · 12 July 2026

McRandal condemns those behind racist graffiti in Holywood

Alliance Councillor Martin McRandal condemns racist graffiti scrawled on the Holywood promenade and sea wall, saying it does not represent most people in the town. He urges anyone with information to contact the police immediately.

Disability and equality Issue: Racist graffiti on Holywood promenade and sea wall Original release: McRandal condemns those behind racist graffiti in Holywood (opens in a new tab)