Helping a local agritourism industry develop and grow will help the rural economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Alliance Agriculture spokesperson John Blair MLA has said. Agritourism involves structured farm stays, experiences and visits and is an addition to selling produce, holding educational visits and other forms of entertainment. South Antrim MLA […]
It is time to thank the PSNI for their efforts in policing during the coronavirus crisis, Alliance Policing Board representative John Blair MLA has said. Mr Blair said the recent numbers of deaths related to COVID-19 announced by the Department of Health were a stark reminder of the depth of the pandemic and its affect […]
Alliance Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA has cautioned against lighting fires on private property, due to the unknown impact excess pollution could have on those self-isolating nearby. With recycling centres closed and people enjoying the better weather, the MLA for South Antrim has raised the issue directly with the Environment Minister, asking guidance to be published as […]
Local guidelines relating to people with autism or learning disabilities being able to leave their homes more than once a day to exercise during the COVID-19 lockdown need to be updated to reflect UK Government advice, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. Mr Blair was speaking after raising the issue at today’s meeting of the […]
Priority access to online food deliveries should be given to those deemed as vulnerable, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. The South Antrim MLA said he had been contacted by a number of constituents self-isolating for several months during the COVID-19 pandemic due to underlying health conditions. However, they have faced difficulties in organising online […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has called for a special helpline to be established for people to report concerns over lack of social distancing in the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Blair said he and Alliance colleagues had been inundated with contact from constituents worried several companies are still operating without proper social distancing guidelines […]
Alliance spokesperson on the environment, John Blair MLA, has welcomed a statement from the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to increase forest cover significantly over the next decade. John Blair said: “I welcome the commitment from Minister Poots to the new afforestation programme, Forests for our Future, which will see 18 million trees […]
Alliance Policing Board member John Blair MLA has welcomed news a pay award for PSNI officers has been agreed by the Department of Justice. The award gives a 2.5 per cent increase to police officers’ pay scales, backdated until September and aligning with a similar award to officers in England and Wales. “It is important […]
Alliance spokesperson on the Environment, John Blair MLA, has welcomed news from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, DAERA, that they have identified £4.3M towards tackling climate change. Speaking after receiving the information at a meeting of the DAERA Assembly Committee John Blair said: “In a recent Assembly debate, members recognised that we […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has said that service animals need full legal protection. Mr Blair was speaking in support of an Assembly Motion to recognise the invaluable work of service animals used by the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Prison Service. The Motion called for legislation making it an offence […]