There is a need for rebalancing of the Department for Infrastructure’s budget towards active and sustainable transport, Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said. Mr Muir was speaking after Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon confirmed her Department’s budget, outlining plans for investment in blue/green infrastructure, as well as funding for road safety measures, street lights […]
North Down Alliance Party Representatives Andrew Muir MLA and Councillor Martin McRandal have welcomed planned upgrades at Cairn Wood Forest in Craigantlet whilst appealing for patience with car park to remain closed in order to enable the works to occur. Ards and North Down Borough Council have been awarded funding from the Department of Agriculture, […]
Alliance MLA and Infrastructure Spokesperson Andrew Muir has called upon the Ministers for Economy and Infrastructure to work together to bring forward a package of support for local hauliers. The Alliance MLA made the call after it became clear in recent Assembly debates with the Finance Minister that a package of assistance from the Department […]
A social partnership approach involving Government, businesses, trade unions and the third sector can help our economy recover from the COVID-19 crisis, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. The North Down MLA was speaking after the Assembly backed an amendment from his party calling for such an approach to the post-coronavirus recovery, while seeking a […]
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has urged the Economy Minister to give details on what financial support her Department can provide the taxi industry to get through the pandemic. The North Down MLA said guidance relating to social distancing requirements in taxis was also needed. He made the call after the Minister failed to […]
Alliance Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir has said that while the Coronavirus pandemic has transformed public finances for the foreseeable future, the right recovery strategy must be matched by financial security to back it up with a Regional Infrastructure Panel or Commission needed to secure swift delivery of capital investment projects. Mr Muir made the comments […]
A discretionary fund to help businesses excluded from grant support should be established to help some companies and sole traders navigate the financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. The North Down MLA said confirmation a number of businesses had been excluded from the Micro-business Hardship Fund set up […]
Alliance MLA and Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir has welcomed the decision to extend rates relief for all businesses until the end of July, and the full financial year for key sectors hardest hit by the pandemic, but also called for much more assistance beyond rates relief to help both people and businesses get through the […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said action must be taken to assist many businesses still left without any Grant Assistance following launch of limited Hardship Fund by Department of the Economy late on Friday night. He said: “Details of the Hardship Fund are welcome but extremely overdue, many weeks after fund was announced. […]
Hope is fading for many businesses promised financial assistance by the Economy Minister, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. On April 10, Economy Minster Diane Dodds announced a scheme designed to ‘support businesses not currently able to access existing regional or national grant schemes’. However, details of the scheme have yet to be released, with […]