East Antrim Assembly member Sean Neeson has said that any attempt to abolish the full-time reserve at this time would be “non-sensical and diabolical”. Mr Neeson said: “As a former member of the Police Authority, I am only too much aware of the major contribution the full-time reserve make to policing in Northern Ireland. “It […]
ALLIANCE Assembly member Sean Neeson has expressed his shock at the speculation that 300 jobs could be lost at Nortel’s plant in Monkstown. Mr Neeson said: “This news is devastating, bearing in mind the decision by Solectron to close its plant at Carrickfergus, despite the fact that there has been an upturn globally in the […]
Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Councillor Stephen Farry, has expressed amazement that the UUP Chief Whip has attacked Professor Ronald Goldstock for highlighting the need to tackle the paramilitary symbols that proliferate in many areas of Northern Ireland. Cllr Farry stated: “I am stunned that Roy Begg’s is so dismissive of the need to tackle paramilitary […]
Alliance Party Seamus Close has strongly criticised the SDLP, after it published its proposals for reinstating devolution in the upcoming review of the Agreement. Mr Close stated: “While there is some merit in a few of the SDLP’s proposals, it is a weak paper that fails to address the core issue – the absence of […]
An Alliance delegation met the Chair and senior officers of the Northern Health and Social Services Board last week to discuss the provision of services for people in South and East Antrim. The delegation was led by Alliance leader David Ford, MLA for South Antrim, and included Cllr Lynn Frazer of Newtownabbey and Cllr John […]
ALLIANCE Assembly member Seamus Close has hit out at the Department of Regional Development’s decision to increase car parking charges in Northern Ireland. Mr Close, Alliance’s Finance Spokesman, said: “No amount of empty rhetoric can justify increases of over 30 percent in car parking. “When you add to this huge increases in insurance, car tax, […]
Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has welcomed the contribution of Professor Ronald Goldstock to combating organised crime, but highlighted the key role that society can play in promoting a culture of lawfulness. Stephen Farry stated: “Alliance acknowledges the important role that Professor Goldstock has played in intensifying efforts to combat organised crime in Northern […]
IN response to the Police Ombudsman’s report into the investigation of the murder of Sean Brown in 1997, Alliance Deputy Leader and Victims Spokesperson Eileen Bell said: “The Ombudsman’s report raises very serious questions not just for the police, but wider society. It is clear from even a cursory glance that the original RUC murder […]
An Alliance Party Delegation will tomorrow meet with the International Monitoring Commission for the first time. The delegation will consist of Party Leader David Ford, Deputy Leader Eileen Bell, East Belfast MLA Naomi Long, and Justice Spokesperson Stephen Farry. The Independent Monitoring Commission builds upon a proposal first presented to the two Governments by the […]
NI Agreement review must ditch sectarian voting rules By David Ford MLA After almost six years, it should be abundantly clear that all is not well with the Agreement. That is why Alliance has made proposals which go beyond the current political impasse in Northern Ireland. Within the context of this Review, parties must be […]