Alliance Party MLA; Chief Whip; Chair of the Committee for the Executive Office. Hockey coach and umpire. Mother & cat owner.https://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lp7aeka3ys2pHad a great time at Belfast Met SU's games night with @fionamcateer.bsky.social. The SU are raising money in support of White Ribbon NI, a charity engaging directly with boys & men to end violence against women. To make your own donation, please follow this link: https://www.givengain.com/project/caoimhin-raising-funds-for-white-ribbon-ni-9976415 May 2025 09:49 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp7aeka3ys2phttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lp2mo4wdmk2xWas delighted to attend today’s M.E. event at Stormont, but as frustrated as many there at the lack of progress on three key aims: - alignment with NICE Guidelines; - mandatory undergraduate education and training for healthcare professionals; and - public awareness campaigns.13 May 2025 13:46 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp2mo4wdmk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lozxpoyrb22aThank you to @TRPNI for running a powerful and informative event at Stormont. It was really important to hear the perspective of those who are on the receiving end of such intolerance, toxic behaviour and dehumanising language by some.13 May 2025 07:31 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lozxpoyrb22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lnxecae6vs2eA different sort of hockey for me this lunchtime - welcoming the ice cool @BelfastGiants team on the steps of Parliament Buildings at Stormont to celebrate another Elite League triumph!29 Apr 2025 13:13 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnxecae6vs2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lnwuov5wmk22I was privileged to take part in a short film making the case for availability of thrombectomy procedures 24/7 in Northern Ireland: https://www.stroke.org.uk/northern-ireland/campaigns/thrombectomy-restoring-life I find it frankly baffling that this service, scheduled to be in place by end 2024, remains time-restricted.29 Apr 2025 08:34 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnwuov5wmk22https://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lnufa27zpc2iMy immediate thoughts are with the victims of this horrific attack in Sunnyside Street. If you have any information at all, no matter how small, please contact the police on *101* quoting case 1479. https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/south-belfast-armed-robbery-sees-31522082?utm_source=app28 Apr 2025 08:51 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnufa27zpc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lmyo7wum3s25I am unclear why job ads have appeared with applicants required to state a “political opinion”; this is not how equality monitoring works in this area. This does reinforce the need for a Single Equality Act, however. https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/mla-calls-for-explanation-as-ni-job-applicants-asked-for-political-views/a1932933249.html17 Apr 2025 08:18 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmyo7wum3s25https://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lmm7awgbh225In another demonstration of why it must be reformed, the Executive Office won’t even publish a report on how dysfunctional it is because it wasn’t functioning when it was supposed to publish it… https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/functioning-of-government-report-wont-be-published-on-time-because-stormont-wasnt-functioning/a1614500413.html12 Apr 2025 09:18 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmm7awgbh225https://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lmhjpg4kas2xThe First and deputy First Minister must change their approach to ensure the backlog of legislation is addressed, after fewer than half of bills planned for 2024 have actually been introduced by the end of the financial year. My statement: https://www.allianceparty.org/first_and_deputy_first_minister_must_speed_up_work_on_legislative_backlog_says_bradshaw10 Apr 2025 12:42 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmhjpg4kas2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lmcmv7vhw22cThe cost of inaction on tackling pollution would be much greater than that of a Commissioner to ensure we take necessary action. I am pleased the Regulations to create the post, required under the Climate Change Act brought by a DUP Minister, passed today https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/stormont-votes-to-establish-climate-commissioner-despite-cost-concern/a8239018.html08 Apr 2025 13:55 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmcmv7vhw22chttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lmc6wg6yb22pI had a brilliant time at Malone Integrated College's Culture Day on Friday. Well done to all the talented pupils who gave incredible performances, and many thanks to the school for having me! 🌎❤️08 Apr 2025 09:46 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmc6wg6yb22phttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3llviro3izk2wThank you to all those who responded to the public consultation on my proposed Display of Emblems Bill. I am meeting the Bills Office later this morning re analysis of the overall consultation results, including both surveys and meetings.03 Apr 2025 08:37 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3llviro3izk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3llt2y7vwmk2gAlthough I can see the considerable potential in the Glider increasing footfall to shops and cafes along its route, I remain to be convinced that its impact on necessary loading and delivery requirements have been fully considered. I will continue seeking actual answers on this.02 Apr 2025 09:25 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3llt2y7vwmk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3llr4lcubuc27I am this afternoon attending a presentation on Project Shield, an innovative multi-agency initiative designed to enhance protective measures against violence towards women and girls through improved information sharing. This is an opportunity to strengthen our collective response to domestic abuse.01 Apr 2025 14:48 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3llr4lcubuc27https://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3llqed6iv5k2pWestminster and Stormont must work together more effectively to help unaccompanied children seeking asylum, and to prevent the need for them to do so in the first place. My comments in the rise in unaccompanied children seeking asylum: https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/concern-at-rise-in-unaccompanied-children-looking-for-asylum-in-ni/a1969514630.html01 Apr 2025 07:34 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3llqed6iv5k2phttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3llcjpqwh7k24Thanks Cllr Tara Brooks for organising such an informative and engaging residents’ meeting with South Belfast PSNI this evening on the issue of preventing and reporting burglary. Thanks also to the Agape Centre for the use of the room!26 Mar 2025 19:34 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3llcjpqwh7k24https://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3ll77n44zhs2pThis morning (or "ar maidin", as I learned!) I joined party colleagues and Irish language groups in a powerful protest outside Stormont against the €820,000 of Irish language community cuts in Northern Ireland announced by Foras na Gaeilge at the end of January.25 Mar 2025 11:55 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3ll77n44zhs2phttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lkv6jolia22cWe've had over 8,000 responses to our Flags and Emblems Bill consultation. If you want to transform how we display flags and emblems in public spaces - then make your voice heard and complete the consultation today: surveymonkey.com/r/emblemsbill21 Mar 2025 12:09 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkv6jolia22chttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lk42mabrws25Happy to support the “Give 5” campaign for a new script for mental health at Stormont today alongside @allianceparty.bsky.social colleagues.11 Mar 2025 12:22 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lk42mabrws25https://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3ljtzix5cms2yWishing everyone a happy and inspiring #IWD2025! Let us celebrate each other, let us never get complacent about the progress we have made, and let us keep striving for a fairness and justice.08 Mar 2025 07:41 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljtzix5cms2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3ljs6lqkfw22fI received a response today from the new Infrastructure Minister confirming, with usual conditions, that the contract award for the construction of the new Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge will take place in late summer this year, meaning we can expect the bridge to be constructed by autumn 2027.07 Mar 2025 14:07 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljs6lqkfw22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3ljdjkrvpkc2tIn other news, congratulations to Belfast-based Club KV on securing the Ulster Senior 3 championship and this a well-earned promotion after a 5-2 win at Cookstown today.01 Mar 2025 18:13 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljdjkrvpkc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lj5inh7wrc2gremain very alarmed at the FM and dFM’s inaction on tackling the interlinked appalling scourges of paramilitarism, racism and sectarianism: https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/seven-racist-and-sectarian-incidents-in-north-every-day-5Y6JJG7JRZGBNFCSBCAHYF65SE/27 Feb 2025 08:41 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lj5inh7wrc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lj2ww6ews222I used my Member’s Statement in the Assembly yesterday to warn against a repeat of last summer’s racist violence. https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/mla-concerned-planned-protest-could-31077640?utm_source=app26 Feb 2025 08:18 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lj2ww6ews222https://bsky.app/profile/paulaballiance.bsky.social/post/3lienw2umks2kReported over weekend was just latest example of signs placed to exclude and intimidate: m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-… Yet it is a SF Minister with responsibility for delivering the outcome SF is demanding! This is what my PMB is about. Have your say here: surveymonkey.com/r/emblemsbill https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…17 Feb 2025 11:38 +0000at://did:plc:q7r2a2fzwnlj3raidlzt6xup/app.bsky.feed.post/3lienw2umks2k