Constituency Team
Cllr. Niall Kelly
Cllr. Niall Kelly is 25 years old and has lived in the Finaghy area of South Belfast since birth.
Niall has been an active member of the SDLP for a number of years now and has served the party in a number of different capacities. He has served as the secretary of the Balmoral branch for four years now. As well as that he has served as a delegate to the SDLP District Executive and the SDLP Constituency Council for, three and two years respectively.
In November 2007 Niall became the youngest person directly elected to the SDLP's central, Executive Committee. As well as sitting on the main Executive Committee he was also a member of the Policy sub-committee.
Niall was selected by the SDLP to replace Carmel Hanna MLA after she decided to step down from Belfast City Council and was co-opted on to the council on 1st July 2008. He is a member of the Strategic Policy & Resources committee, the Parks & Leisure Committee, the Health & Environment Committee and is a director of the South Belfast Partnership Board.
Cllr. Bernie Kelly
Bernie Kelly was elected as Councillor to represent the Balmoral area of South Belfast on Belfast City Council in May 2005. She is currently on the Development Committee and Town Planning Committee, and endeavours to ensure that the voice of residents is heard in controversial planning issues in her constituency. Bernie is a member of an all-Party Reference group on Older People which seeks to improve services for older people in the city. Bernie was elected as Deputy Lord Mayor in June 2007 for a year and enjoyed the privilege of representing people from all parts of Belfast.
Bernie has been a member of the SDLP since 1995. She is currently Chair of the SDLP Women's Group which aims to provide training and support to women in the SDLP. Bernie has been actively involved in the Women in Local Councils initiative which aims to increase the representation of women as elected representatives and senior officers in local government. A qualified social worker, Bernie is a Senior Manager in Belfast Health & Social Care Trust with responsibility for disability services.
Office Staff
Anna McAlister and Michelle Byrne provide administrative support in the Constituency Office and in Stormont.
Anna joined in the office in November 2008 after completing a degree in English Literature and Politics at the University of Glasgow. As Political Assistant, Anna assists Conalll with business in the Assembly and at committee level, concentrating on Regional Development and Justice . She also provides secretarial assistance to the All Party Group on International Development which Conall is Vice Chair in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Michelle recently completed a degree in Politics at Queen's University and joined the office in September 2009. As Constituency Assistant, Michelle regularly liaises with constituents and deals with any issues reported in the South Belfast area. She is an active member of SDLP Youth, and is currently serving as Press Officer for the youth wing of the Party.