The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland – Leading Change
We are Northern Ireland's cross-community party: working to build a society free of segregation, sectarianism and prejudice. Together, we're stronger.
Latest News
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Cochrane calls for action to address fuel poverty
Article: May 28, 2012
Alliance Social Development spokesperson Judith Cochrane MLA has welcomed the report on fuel poverty by the Social Development Committee.
Judith Cochrane MLA, speaking in the Assembly debate on the report, said: "Northern Ireland has the highest rate of fuel poverty in Northern Europe, therefore, DSD must take the lead and work in collaboration with other departments to tackle fuel poverty here once and for all.
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Clarke urges NITB to better promote Newcastle and Down District as tourist destinations
Article: May 25, 2012
Alliance Newcastle Councillor Patrick Clarke has called on the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to better promote Newcastle and Down District, and has asked the Chief Executive of Down District Council to write to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to secure better media and public relations promotion of Newcastle and Down District as a tourism destinations. Councillor Patrick Clarke was speaking during a panel discussion on 'Beyond the Recession' in the Burrendale Hotel Newcastle on Tuesday 22nd May which was organised as part of the Beyond business week of events by Down District Council.
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Webb concerned at North Belfast shootings
Article: May 25, 2012
Alliance North Belfast representative Councillor Billy Webb has expressed his concern after shots were fired at a flat in Avoca Street and a house in Summer Street in North Belfast on Friday morning. Three men were in the flat in Avoca Street but were unhurt and the house in Summer Street was empty at the time of the shooting.
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Lo delighted to welcome the Women's Fund for Northern Ireland
Article: May 24, 2012
Alliance MLA Anna Lo, helped launch the Women's Fund for Northern Ireland. Developed by the Community Foundation of Northern Ireland, the fund aims to help local women reach their potential and overcome barriers that inhibit their personal development.
Anna Lo said, "I was delighted to open the launch the Women's Fund for Northern Ireland. It is so encouraging to see this fund come forward and I am inspired by the initiative and innovation the organisers have taken in setting it up.
"There is a Chinese saying that 'women hold up half the sky'. this is most certainly true in Northern Ireland where more than half the population is made up of women and girls. Despite outnumbering our male counterparts in numbers, we still face many barriers in everyday life and the figures are quite startling.
"In Stormont, there are 108 MLAs but only 19 of these are currently female. That is just under 18%. This is hardly surprising when you take into account that in the last Assembly election only 17% of all the candidates were female and following the 2011 Council elections women only accounted for 24% of all the Councillors in Northern Ireland. While I am proud to stand for a Party who had the highest proportion of female candidates, it is clear that more needs to be done to create a more female friendly political environment.
"Women face a wide range of barriers- cultural, social and economic and in Northern Ireland we need more women to be leaders in all walks of life. For a truly Shared Future, Northern Ireland needs to address the gender imbalance and support the personal development of our girls and women.
"This fund has the potential to make a truly positive difference in the lives of our local women. Supporting women in this way through developing confidence, leadership capacity and key skills can start to dismantle the hurdles which often can prevent women from advancing in life.
"The Women's Fund will open doors that otherwise would have remained shut and I was honoured to be at the launch to offer my support to such a worthwhile initiative." -
Alliance withdraws from Working Group on CSI
Article: May 24, 2012
The Alliance Party Leader, David Ford, has written to the First Minister and deputy First Minister withdrawing his party from further participation in the working group that has been seeking to produce a replacement for the CSI strategy previously published by OFMdFM.
Explaining his decision, David Ford said:
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Lyttle concerned at lack of detail in Social Investment Fund plans
Article: May 18, 2012
Alliance OFMDFM spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has expressed his concern at the lack of details in the Social Investment Fund plans that have been unveiled. There will be nine areas, four in Belfast then one in Derry, Western, Southern, South East and Northern.
Chris Lyttle MLA said: "I welcome any proposals that will help us tackle deprivation, unemployment and social issues, however, it is clear that OFMDFM have been anything but clear and transparent about their plans. From the information just released, there is very little detail as to how the groups for the nine areas will be run.
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Lyttle receives petition from Victims and Survivors at Stormont
Article: May 17, 2012
Alliance OFMDFM spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has received a petition from Victims and Survivors at Stormont today over a shortfall in support for them. The petition was organised by the WAVE Trauma centre.
Chris Lyttle MLA said: "It was a challenging and humbling experience to receive the petitions and to listen to the stories they have to tell. We must never forget those who were injured or bereaved during the Troubles.
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Lo calls for publication of Sexual Orientation Strategy
Article: May 17, 2012
Alliance MLA Anna Lo has called on the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to publish the long promised sexual orientation Strategy. Her comments come on the International Day Against Homophobia on Thursday 17th May. It is also the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Northern Ireland.
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Lo and Curran delighted with Northern Visions/NvTv Interim Funding
Article: May 16, 2012
Alliance South Belfast MLA Anna Lo and Laganbank Cllr Cathy Curran have welcomed the news that NvTv had secured interim funding after talks facilitated by Belfast City Council with DCAL and the Arts Council.
Anna Lo said: "I raised this issue with the Culture Minister in April and I am delighted that NvTv has secured interim funding. NvTv makes an invaluable contribution to the arts community and creative industry of Belfast and Northern Ireland, providing jobs, developing specialised skills and bolstering the local community. I had grave concerns that the loss of NvTv would create a significant cultural deficit at a time when we need to prioritise growing our cultural product."
Cllr Cathy Curran said: "I am relieved that NvTv have secured interim funding and sincerely hope that a solution for their funding can be secured in the long term. At a time when we are celebrating the success of events like Titanic Belfast and MTV Europe Music Awards, it is vital that we continue to support our local arts community and the development of a vibrant arts and creative sector. Both Anna and I will be monitoring this funding situation with great interest and wish NvTv all the best for the future." -
Lo launches first Intercultural Arts Strategy
Article: May 16, 2012
Alliance MLA Anna Lo has launched the first ever Intercultural Arts Strategy that was put together by the Arts Council. She launched the report this morning in the Crescent Arts Centre in South Belfast. The Arts Council strategy recognises the changing face of society in Northern Ireland and its increasing cultural diversity. It flags up the need to promote cultural pluralism, develop good relations and tackle racism within and between communities and their cultures. The Arts Council also announced today that it plans to introduce a new funding programme this Autumn which will concentrate on strengthening the minority ethnic arts infrastructure across Northern Ireland.
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Updates from allianceparty
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Cochrane calls for action to address fuel poverty bit.ly/JpCWjj
May 28, 2012 5:27 PM
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Webb concerned at North Belfast shootings bit.ly/K3fPPN
May 25, 2012 9:49 AM
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Chris Lyttle will be on bbc 2 on hearts and minds at 19-30 discussing community relations
May 24, 2012 6:14 PM
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Posted by BBC Newsline
Party leaves shared future talks: The Alliance Party pulls out of talks at Stormont aimed at promoting better co... bbc.in/KF4gf3
May 24, 2012 11:55 AM