The Carrickfergus Artisan Market is 🗓 this Saturday 1 August🕚 11:00am – 3:00pm 📌 Market Place, Carrickfergus ✨ Enjoy a great day out with Face Painting, Caricaturist, Local Artisan Crafters plus 🌟 Meet Toy Story Friends! 11:30am – 12:30pm Woody & Jessie 12:30pm – 1:30pm Mr & Mrs Potato Head 1:30pm – 2:30pm Buzz & Rex

Following our winter of extreme storms, the Sea Wall at Rhanbuoy Park was severely damaged. I contacted the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) back in January 2026, who assured me work would begin on repairs in April 2026. Unfortunately, the project appears to have stalled despite a contractor being assigned the job in early June. DFI tell me they appreciate the frustration that these delays have caused residents and I understand that they have expressed their dissatisfactio

Translink is reminding everyone travelling into Belfast during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, August 2nd – 9th , to plan ahead, leave extra time for journeys, and expect bus and train services to be very busy. Fleadh visitors and anyone working or using other city centre services during the Fleadh should use public transport, dedicated Fleadh Park and Ride sites, and walking or cycling options where possible for travel into and around Belfast city centre. Ulsterbus, Metro, and Gl

This week is all about celebrating the use of public transport for everyday journeys and to encourage people across Northern Ireland to leave the car at home and choose more sustainable ways to travel. June also marks the return of the Active Travel Challenge! There has never been a better time to dust off the bicycle, swap the car for a walk, or hop on public transport. This initiative is all about healthier lifestyles, cleaner air, and greener habits. Last year was a recor

The decision to build apartments where the Swift Building is disappointing. The site is in a very important part of Carrickfergus on the harbour, overlooked by the castle. I remain unconvinced that building apartments was the best use of a very valuable site in Carrickfergus which could have been better used for many other things, both for the community and for visitors to the town. However, regrettably, the planning service have their rules and those rules had to be followed

Yesterday in the Assembly, I welcomed the consideration stage of the Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses and Redress Scheme. I wanted to pay tribute to the victims and survivors who spoke to us at the committee, and to commend their bravery in coming forward. However, it is disappointing the committee amendment to extend the posthumous date for people to be eligible for the redress payment was rejected. This is something I will be pushing the Spea

Minister's Answer The “Housing for All” Ministerial Panel Housing Thematic Sub-group is chaired by NIHE and acts as an advisory body to help guide the ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. The sub-group shares experience in delivery of shared communities and progress on good relations outcomes. The latest meeting took place on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, and included: Discussion of the Housing for All Shared Housing Programme for 2025/26, which incorporated six new develop

Minister's Answer My Department is engaging with a range of stakeholders to inform the practical delivery of the home heating oil support scheme. This has included discussions with the Northern Ireland Oil Federation representing local oil distributors, National Energy Action, the Fuel Poverty Coalition, and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. Further engagement is planned throughout the process to help protect consumers against price gouging. The Oil Savings Network,

Minister's Answer My Department is engaging with a range of stakeholders to inform the practical delivery of the home heating oil support scheme. This has included discussions with the Northern Ireland Oil Federation representing local oil distributors, National Energy Action, the Fuel Poverty Coalition, and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. Further engagement is planned throughout the process to help consumers get value for money. The Oil Savings Network, part of th

The Executive has been in a deep freeze for around 50% of its existence. Ministers flout the rules to block progress and shield themselves from accountability, and our democracy is exposed to the influence of dark money and shadowy interests. Alliance doesn’t just recognise this major frustration with our politics – we share it. We want to deliver on public priorities like healthcare, education and living costs, but are too often prevented from doing so by the wrecking agenda