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 […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said the submission of a Climate Change Bill to the Assembly marks a key milestone for climate action in Northern Ireland. South Antrim MLA Mr Blair was speaking after the cross-party Bill – sponsored by parties including the Green Party, Sinn Féin, SDLP, UUP, People Before Profit and […]
Alliance MLA John Blair has said slavery is a global and local problem which must be eradicated completely, ahead of Anti-Slavery Day 2020. Highlighting a recent UN report which outlined the extent of modern day slavery, Mr Blair said it was no longer acceptable to sit back and do nothing, whilst an estimated 29 million […]
Serious questions need asked and answered after an Audit Office report showed owners of some renewable technologies were being paid “excessive subsidies” from people’s electricity bills, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. The report showed those who own standalone turbines and anaerobic digesters get higher payments than those in GB. It stated while they accounted […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said we should mark Clean Air Day by renewing our commitment to improving air quality and reducing air pollution across Northern Ireland. Clean Air Day sees hundreds of events across the UK to highlight air pollution being the largest environmental health risk facing people, with Belfast seeing toxic air […]