A ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs in Northern Ireland is long overdue, Alliance MLA John Blair has said, as he announced his plans to bring a Private Members’ Bill to outlaw the practice. Northern Ireland is currently the only part of the UK without such a ban, with widespread public support to ban […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has said Covid-19 cannot be the reason the Racial Equality Strategy gets even further behind. Questioning the Junior Minister Gordon Lyons in the Assembly this week, Mr Blair said the initiative was already running too far behind before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. He added: “Covid-19 has engulfed every aspect of our […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said it is disappointing a consultation into an Executive Climate Change Bill aims to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 instead of 2030 but added the Bill as a whole is a vital move. Environment Minister Edwin Poots has launched the consultation, which will see the […]
There is now an opportunity to improve the outcome for victims of hate crime here, Alliance MLA John Blair has said, after a review into legislation made a series of recommendations. The review, carried out by Judge Desmond Marrinan, made 34 recommendations, including the definition of a hate crime being expanded to include gender and […]
Public sector leaders must be empowered to address levels of sickness absence in the Northern Ireland public sector, Alliance MLA John Blair has said, following a report on attendance in central and local government released today. The report from the Audit Office found the Northern Ireland Civil Service lost almost 13 days per employee to […]
The Alliance Party’s John Blair has called for a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. The MLA for South Antrim said his party didn’t believe the animals should be subjected to the conditions of circus life – which can involve regular transport; cramped, temporary housing; forced training and performance; loud noises and […]
Alliance South Antrim MLA John Blair has said he is shocked after a shooting in his constituency. A man in his 50s was shot in the knee in New Mossley around 7:05pm yesterday (Wednesday). He was taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries, which police have said are not life threatening but may be […]
There is a pressing need to appoint a new Head of the Civil Service (HOCS), Alliance MLA John Blair has said, after a major report stated the civil service was at a ‘critical crossroads’. The report by the Audit Office stated almost 1,500 vacancies in the civil service have yet to be filled, with sickness […]
The impending end of the Brexit transition period shows the pressing need for an independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland, Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said. The South Antrim MLA was speaking after Environment Minister Edwin Poots updated the Assembly on the latest North-South Ministerial Council meeting, focusing on environmental matters. The […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has welcomed the announcement of Northern Ireland’s first clean air strategy document by the Environment Minister. The member of the APG on Lung Health at Stormont said: “This announcement fulfils a significant commitment from the New Decade New Approach and I welcome the announcement of the Clean Air Strategy […]