Free travel for older people across Ireland is just the ticket

Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy has backed a scheme to give older people from throughout Ireland free travel across the island. A government document has revealed that from 1 April 2007, people over the age of 65 can use public transport for free, across the whole of Ireland. The Strangford Alliance Assembly Member stated: “I am […]

Local government boundaries flawed – Alliance

Alliance Party General Secretary, Stephen Farry, has expressed scepticism regarding the sustainability of the new proposed Local Government Boundaries. Stephen Farry stated: “This may all turn out to be a huge academic exercise. Alliance hopes and expects that any newly restored Assembly will launch a major rethink of moving to as few as seven super-Councils. […]

Alliance meets taxi drivers and backs their proposals

Alliance Party Assembly Member, Kieran McCarthy has backed taxi drivers’ new proposals for their industry and today met drivers and their union representatives as they submitted their response to the draft taxi legislation. Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “The taxi drivers’ proposals will provide the best deal for both passengers and drivers. I am pleased that […]

Alliance seeks assurances from Hain on victims and a shared future

Speaking in relation to today’s meeting with the Secretary of State Peter Hain, Alliance Leader David Ford said he is seeking assurances on the implementation of a shared future. He also called on Peter Hain to address the issue of giving victims a voice. Alliance recently published a paper addressing the legacy of the past, […]

Allliance backs integrated housing and states it was needed decades ago

Alliance Party Housing Spokesperson, Cllr Mervyn Jones has backed government plans to create integrated housing in the North West Quarter of Belfast, but said the scheme should have been introduced decades ago to help combat sectarianism. Today Minister David Hanson launched the plans as part of a blueprint for regenerating the area which includes Carrick […]

We are real contenders in Coleraine by-election says Alliance

Alliance Party General Secretary, Dr Stephen Farry, has confirmed that the Alliance Party will be contesting the Coleraine Skerries by-election, and argued that Alliance would be real contenders as voters will bear in mind that it was the criminality of a DUP councillor who subverted the democratic wishes of the public, and the UUP who […]

Alliance Leader lobbies Lords to stop rates crisis in vote tomorrow

Alliance Leader David Ford has lobbied representatives in the House of Lords in a bid to scrap rates hikes. Proposed rates legislation comes before the House of Lords for a vote tomorrow. If this Order is passed then unfair rates increases will apply in Northern Ireland from April 2007. David Ford said: “Alliance has been […]

Alliance backs campaign to stop racism in workplace

Castlereagh Alliance Councillor, Sara Duncan, has backed Anti-Racist Workplace Week. The week aims to raise awareness and help fight racism at work. On Saturday Sara Duncan reported racist graffiti on School Road in Castlereagh to police after a friend informed her of its presence. She stated that racism must be eradicated from every part of […]

Council’s special collection decision is ‘rubbish’ – Alliance

Alliance Vice Chair and Castlereagh Councillor Michael Long has criticized the Castlereagh Council decision to refuse a reduced rate or free special collection of large items for people who receive benefits. Following Cllr Long’s request, only Alliance backed a proposal for a capped rate of £10 for those on benefits and Cllr Long has branded […]