Alliance Belfast councillor Michael Long has welcomed Belfast City Council's support for an Alliance proposal to improve engagement with disability groups before the next Fleadh, after concerns were raised about accessibility at this year's event.

The matter was discussed at this month's Full Council meeting on Monday (2 Nov).

Cllr Long said: "This year's Fleadh represented Belfast at its best and brightest. We want to make sure everyone in our community is able to enjoy it and share in that magic.

"Having reflected on the concerns raised by a number of disability groups following the Fleadh, it's absolutely essential that we ensure the event is made as inclusive as possible for everyone in the community. "We proposed that council officers meet with the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC), whose job it is to advise government and other organisations in Northern Ireland on issues that affect the mobility of deaf, disabled, and older people in our society, and on how we can help make life easier for them. We're glad to see council endorse our proposal.

"It is vital that disabled people's voices are heard, especially around the issue of pedestrianisation in particular, which we've also championed as a lesson to be taken from this year's Fleadh.

"Council has time now ahead of Fleadh 2027 to implement changes to make it even more inclusive and accessible, and it's encouraging that they've taken the opportunity to start that process."