Menu
19/04/2018
Alliance MLA Calls On Secretary Of State To Initiate All-Party Talks
Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has called upon Secretary of State Karen Bradley to begin all-party talks "as soon as possible".
Ms Armstong challenged Mrs Bradley to initiate talks as during the recent Good Friday Agreement anniversary, she had discussed how the UK Government was fully committed to the restoration of devolution at the earliest possible opportunity.
Ms Armstrong said: "If that is the case, why have we still yet to see the resumption of all-party talks or indeed even a date set for them?
"Alliance has been consistent in our views, which were contained in our recent document Next Steps Forward. They include reconstituting Assembly committees, reconvening the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, re-establishing the Policing Board and progressing legislation which was at an advanced stage before the collapse of power-sharing, all alongside a talks process.
"Bilateral meetings with other parties and the two Governments are all well and good but the Secretary of State needs to convene all-party talks as soon as possible, appoint an independent mediator and use the ideas contained in Next Steps Forward to get this process moved on and allow us to tackle the social, political and economic problems facing us."
(LM)
Ms Armstong challenged Mrs Bradley to initiate talks as during the recent Good Friday Agreement anniversary, she had discussed how the UK Government was fully committed to the restoration of devolution at the earliest possible opportunity.
Ms Armstrong said: "If that is the case, why have we still yet to see the resumption of all-party talks or indeed even a date set for them?
"Alliance has been consistent in our views, which were contained in our recent document Next Steps Forward. They include reconstituting Assembly committees, reconvening the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, re-establishing the Policing Board and progressing legislation which was at an advanced stage before the collapse of power-sharing, all alongside a talks process.
"Bilateral meetings with other parties and the two Governments are all well and good but the Secretary of State needs to convene all-party talks as soon as possible, appoint an independent mediator and use the ideas contained in Next Steps Forward to get this process moved on and allow us to tackle the social, political and economic problems facing us."
(LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 February 2024
SF Slams Attempts To 'Run Down The Clock' On Legacy Act
Sinn Féin has said that attempts to "run down the clock" until the controversial Legacy Act is enacted are "cynical and cruel". North Belfast MP, John Finucane, said: "I welcome and agree with the assessment of former Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan that state bodies are attempting to 'run down the clock' until the Legacy Act is enacted.
SF Slams Attempts To 'Run Down The Clock' On Legacy Act
Sinn Féin has said that attempts to "run down the clock" until the controversial Legacy Act is enacted are "cynical and cruel". North Belfast MP, John Finucane, said: "I welcome and agree with the assessment of former Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan that state bodies are attempting to 'run down the clock' until the Legacy Act is enacted.
19 April 2024
PM's Failure To Apologise Over State Agents 'Indefensible' – SDLP
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's failure to apologise for the role successive governments played in running state agents involved in criminality including abduction, torture and murder has been described as "indefensible".
PM's Failure To Apologise Over State Agents 'Indefensible' – SDLP
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's failure to apologise for the role successive governments played in running state agents involved in criminality including abduction, torture and murder has been described as "indefensible".
02 April 2024
Alliance Calls For Urgent Investment In Water Infrastructure
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson, Patrick Brown MLA, has highlighted the urgent need for investment in water infrastructure, following a newly published report from the NI Audit Office.
Alliance Calls For Urgent Investment In Water Infrastructure
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson, Patrick Brown MLA, has highlighted the urgent need for investment in water infrastructure, following a newly published report from the NI Audit Office.
06 February 2024
Naomi Long Re-Elected As Justice Minister For Northern Ireland
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has been re-elected as Justice Minister for Northern Ireland, following a cross community vote in the Assembly. Minister Long previously held the Justice portfolio from January 2020 to October 2022.
Naomi Long Re-Elected As Justice Minister For Northern Ireland
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has been re-elected as Justice Minister for Northern Ireland, following a cross community vote in the Assembly. Minister Long previously held the Justice portfolio from January 2020 to October 2022.
29 February 2024
Children Must Be Protected From Criminal Exploitation – Alliance
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the safeguarding of children at risk of exploitation. The party's Spokesperson for Children and Young People, Sian Mulholland, raised the issue following a BBC Spotlight investigation into child exploitation involving drug gangs.
Children Must Be Protected From Criminal Exploitation – Alliance
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the safeguarding of children at risk of exploitation. The party's Spokesperson for Children and Young People, Sian Mulholland, raised the issue following a BBC Spotlight investigation into child exploitation involving drug gangs.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with good clear spells bringing a rural frost for some and some fog patches in places. Cloudier around the coast of Country Down where the odd light shower may develop. Northerly breezes persisting. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
