Alliance Party Leader, David Ford, has rebuked the Secretary of State for being out of touch with reality and lacking the initiative required to break the political deadlock in Northern Ireland. David Ford’s comments come in the wake of Peter Hain’s commons statement on progress made in restoring devolution. Cllr Ford MLA said: “The work […]
Alliance Party Vice Chair, Cllr Michael Long, has slammed loyalists thugs who are allegedly carrying out extortion rackets on building contractors in North and West Belfast. Cllr Long has stated that the government should be careful about providing loyalists with the £30 million mentioned in the media in previous weeks. The Castlereagh Councillor stated: “It […]
Alliance Party Health Spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy, has slammed government for spending £50 million on management consultancy and hospitality fees. The figure covers 11 government departments in Northern Ireland, for the two financial years from 2004. The Strangford Assembly Member said: “I am shocked and appalled that £50 million has been spent on consultancy and hospitality, […]
North Antrim Alliance representative, Jayne Dunlop, has slammed the perpetrators of an attack on Bushmills Chapel, which took place over the weekend. The Chapel, which is on Priestland Road in Bushmills, had a tar-like substance thrown over the front of the building. Jayne Dunlop said: “Those that carry out such abhorrent acts must be brought […]
Nearly two-thirds of adults in Northern Ireland do not believe that the Good Friday Agreement should be implemented in full, with no modifications. This is one of the findings of the recently published Northern Ireland Life and Times survey. It reveals that only 22% agreed that the Agreement “just needs to be implemented in full”. […]
Alliance Antrim Councillor, Alan Lawther, has backed the government’s plan to provide £8million to enable homes to convert to more environmentally-friendly heating and energy sources. Cllr Lawther’s comments come on the day that the Secretary of State will announce the funding package for Northern Ireland. Cllr Lawther said: “Its great news that the government has […]
Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has indicated that reports of the revised community restorative justice guidelines from the NIO indicate a tightening of previous proposals, but that a full examination of the detail of the government’s proposals is crucial. Stephen Farry stated: “The basis of these reports does seem to indicate a strengthening of […]
Alliance Vice Chair and Castlereagh Councillor, Michael Long, has condemned the government for allowing £366 million which was allocated to Northern Ireland to go unspent. Michael Long believes the money should go towards helping all of the education boards provide vital services, and his comments come after the government launched a review into the underspend. […]
Ballymena Alliance Representative, Jayne Dunlop, has call on the Parades Commission to ensure that a planned nationalist march in Ballymena is not allowed to take place. Jayne Dunlop said: “The march, which took place last year, raised tensions in the area to a dangerously high level. “It is better for the whole community, both nationalist […]
Alliance Party Health Spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy, has backed David Hanson’s announcement that pubs in Northern Ireland will not be allowed to open 24-hours-a-day; however, he is disappointed that the Minister is changing the laws concerning corner shop alcohol licensing. The Strangford Assembly Member said: “I am very glad that the Minister has decided to shut […]