Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Michael Long has slammed those involved in a paramilitary-style attack which took place in Braniel in East Belfast. The attack took place at the rear of houses in Ravenswood Park in the area. Cllr Michael Long said: “This was a savage attack on a young man carried out with an iron bar. […]
Queen’s Alliance Chair Michael Bower has slammed the DUP UUP and some Sinn Fein MLAs for their decision to back Reg Empey’s plan to raise student fees from £3070 to £3145 for the 2008/2009 academic year. He said “All the parties were against introducing top-up fees to Northern Ireland but it appears now some of […]
Alliance Culture Arts and Leisure Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA says unionists are running away from their responsibilities on the Culture Arts and Leisure Committee after they voted to adjourn it today. The meeting was to discuss designs for an all-sports stadium at the Maze. He called their actions a walkout and said what they did […]
East Belfast Alliance Councillor Mervyn Jones has welcomed the opening of the new IKEA store at Hollywood Exchange in Belfast saying it shows the region can compete strongly to lure big names to Belfast. Councillor Mervyn Jones said: “This opening is great news for Belfast. IKEA has created many new jobs and has also created […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MLA has accused First Minister Ian Paisley of making comments which she believes could place the entire Victim’s Commissioner appointment process in jeopardy. She raised the issue at the OFMDFM Committee today and branded the comments he made in First Minister’s Questions on Monday about the previous appointment process ‘a […]
Alliance Leader David Ford MLA has criticised DARD for the way that the sale of the AFBI site at Crossnacreevy is being handled, with the result that a valuable asset is being lost from DARD and handed over to the Department of Finance. David Ford said: “When the Minister announced the sale of Crossnacreevy to […]
Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has hit out at UK Children’s Secretary Ed Balls for failing to provide any cash for Northern Ireland in his £1billion Children’s Plan. Mr McCarthy has asked why he has left Northern Ireland out of the plan which was unveiled yesterday. The cash will help create more play areas […]
Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has blasted FIFA’s plans regarding footballer eligibility as one which will reinforce sectarianism in the sport. Commenting following today’s debate in the Assembly on the issue, Mr Lunn said it also creates an extremely difficult precedent which could throw international football into turmoil. The Lagan Valley MLA stated: “There are a […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has blasted the Finance Minister Peter Robinson over the budget and the impact it could have on our fire service. His comments come after Chair of the Fire and Rescue Service Board Bill Gillespie said that about £15 million is needed annually, but only £4 million will be provided […]
Speaking on the eve of its launch, Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MLA has outlined her hope that the All Party Assembly Group on Road Safety, of which she is Secretary, will contribute to the effort to reduce the number of deaths on our roads. The Minister for Environment, Mrs Arlene Foster, will address the […]