The refusal of a planning application for the proposed waste incinerator in Mallusk is the right decision and is the result of community and political pressure, South Antrim Alliance MLA John Blair has said. Mr Blair was speaking after Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced the Arc21 facility in Hightown would not go ahead. “This is […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said a business plan update from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) amounts to nothing short of “environmental failure”. Speaking after the update, which was presented to the AERA Committee today, the South Antrim MLA said the report was a catalogue of failures. “Included in […]
The rise in cost of a single use plastic bag could put some people under mounting pressure in the midst of a pandemic and cost of living crisis, Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said. The South Antrim MLA was speaking during an Assembly debate on the issue. Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced […]
North Down Alliance MLA Andrew Muir made a splash at the Assembly on Tuesday 2 November when he brought concerns about water quality and safety at Coastal Bathing areas across North Down. The Alliance representative used an Adjournment debate to highlight the dangers of pollution, the need for regular water quality testing and the importance […]
The climate crisis is no longer a looming threat – it’s here and it’s happening now, Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said. Mr Blair was speaking in the Assembly chamber, ahead of his attendance at COP26 in Glasgow. A summit to bring together political figures from across the globe to discuss actions […]
Alliance representatives have expressed their disappointment, after members of the DUP, UUP and SDLP rejected a proposal for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to oppose fracking. The Alliance proposal, brought by Councillor Peter Lavery and seconded by Councillor Eóin Tennyson, would have seen the Council write to Environment Minster Edwin Poots to call […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has said the decision by DUP AERA Minister Edwin Poots to green light plans for under sea gas storage at Islandmagee as a ‘devastating blow’. Speaking after the Marine Construction Licence for the Larne Lough area was granted, Mr Dickson said it was time for all local representatives to come together […]
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said full financial transparency is needed over future renewable energy schemes after a report into generating electricity from renewable energy was unable to determine if one was delivered at the lowest cost to the consumer. The Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation scheme was introduced in 2005 by the Department of Enterprise, […]
Northern Ireland is in urgent need of policies to restore our damaged ecosystems, Alliance Environmental spokesperson John Blair MLA has said. Mr Blair was speaking during an Assembly debate on the UK Government’s Environment Bill, which was designed to bring in legislation and provide environmental governance following changes after Brexit. “Our exit from the EU […]
The “shambles” of the electric vehicle charging network in Northern Ireland is forcing people to go back to petrol and diesel cars, Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said. The North Down MLA was speaking after contacting the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), which maintains the network here. It followed complaints from constituents, who having […]