Alliance MLA and Party Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir has described the on-going debate around the Budget Bill as “groundhog day”, with the current process labelled as repetitive, convoluted and badly in need of reform. Mr Muir has said that whilst the Finance Minister had provided an extremely challenging budget, a good proportion of time spent […]
The passage of legislation allowing the Infrastructure Minister to deal with a number of reservoirs where urgent interventions are required is a matter of life and death, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. The party’s Infrastructure spokesperson was speaking after the Transfers of Functions Bill was approved by MLAs in the Assembly today. It is […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has called for long-awaited reforms to be actioned, during a debate on Northern Ireland’s budget for this financial year. Speaking during the Assembly debate, which saw Finance Minister Conor Murphy present the financial plans for the next year, Mr Muir described the budget process as “baffling” and it would […]
A Green New Deal for Northern Ireland could help our society avoid repeating the effects of the COVID crisis, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. The North Down MLA was speaking after the Assembly backed an Alliance motion calling for the Executive to introduce such a policy. It would tackle the climate emergency through transforming […]
Alliance North Down MLA Andrew Muir has criticised the Executive Office for failing to move forward on a number of significant issues. Highlighting the concerns of post-RHI reform and the removal of flammable cladding from high-rise buildings, Mr Muir, the Party’s Finance Spokesperson, said there was “no excuse” to continue blocking these decisions Mr Muir […]
North Down Alliance representatives have called upon Environment Minister Edwin Poots to take more action to address the range of problems occurring at Helen’s Bay beach, inviting him to visit the site to see first-hand the problems being endured by local residents. North Down MP Stephen Farry, MLA Andrew Muir and party Councillors Gillian Greer […]
Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has criticised the Department for Infrastructure’s failure to respond to the review of special events on roads legislation prior to COVID-19 restrictions being eased. The Assembly passed legislation in 2017 giving local authorities the power to approve the closure of roads for holding special events such as sport races. […]
Alliance representatives have met with the Infrastructure Minister to discuss recently announced plans regarding the proposed Tillysburn Park and Ride and the Sydenham Greenway. The meeting, which was attended by party representatives from East Belfast and North Down, including Chris Lyttle MLA, Andrew Muir MLA and Councillors Gillian Greer, Martin McRandal, Ross McMullan and Sian […]
Alliance Finance Spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has welcomed the establishment of a Fiscal Council for Northern Ireland with a Fiscal Commission also to commence specific programme of work. The Fiscal Council was announced recently by the Finance Minister will be a permanent, independent body charged with bringing transparency and scrutiny to the Executive Finances. Mr […]
Alliance Finance spokesperson Andrew Muir has cautiously welcomed new business support grants but said concerns remain over who receives the money. Finance Minister Conor Murphy announced the £178 million for the almost 200,000 local firms eligible for it. The money is expected to be paid next month. “There is much to welcome in the schemes […]