Alliance Party Leader, David Ford, has told government that they should concentrate on getting the Northern Ireland Assembly up and running again, instead of focussing on modifying Direct Rule. David Ford’s comments come in the wake of the announcement of proposals in the House of Lords to change the way Direct Rule decisions are made. […]
Alliance Vice Chair and Castlereagh Councillor, Michael Long, has called on the government to scrap hospital parking charges for regular hospital patients in Northern Ireland. Cllr Long’s comments follow a report from House of Commons Health Select Committee. Cllr Long stated: “All hospital parking charges for regular patients should be scrapped as they unfairly penalise […]
Alliance Party Health Spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy, has called on government to implement the smoking ban for public buildings in Northern Ireland immediately. This follows the announcement stating that the ban will be implemented at the discretion of the Minister. The Strangford Assembly Member said: “I call on government to ban smoking in public buildings immediately, […]
Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Cllr Stephen Farry, has called for strong sentences to combat knife culture in Northern Ireland. His comments come on the day that Criminal Justice Minister, David Hanson, launched a consultation on knife crime. Cllr Farry stated: “The problem of knife crime is one that must be addressed swiftly by government. Severe […]
Alliance Party Castlereagh Councillor, Sara Duncan, has welcomed the announcement of funding for debt advice by the Enterprise Minister Maria Eagle. The funding contract will enable the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) to deliver advice to people with debt problems. Cllr Duncan, who does volunteer work with the Citizens Advice Bureau said: “Its great that the […]
North Antrim Alliance representative, Jayne Dunlop, has condemned last night’s arson attack on the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Glenshesk Road in Ballycastle. Jayne Dunlop said: “This type of attack is abhorrent and I strongly condemn the perpetrators of this wanton act of destruction. “We are trying to build a peaceful and stable society […]
Alliance Antrim Councillor, Alan Lawther, stated that an energy-efficiency grading scheme for homes is essential to help protect the environment. Cllr Lawther said: “Alliance called for the introduction of an energy efficiency rating scheme for homes as part of our party manifesto. “Such an initiative would provide home buyers with chance to see how environmentally-friendly […]
A groups of children aged ten and under were last week were arrested for vandalising a school and church in Newtownabbey. We frequently hear reports of children getting involved in rioting and attacking the emergency services when on call-outs. Who is responsible? Does anyone hold their hands up and take responsibility? Not these days, its […]
Newtownabbey Mayor, Lynn Frazer, has condemned yesterday evening’s attack on police officers by a gang of youths in Newtownabbey. The attack followed an arrest in the Rathcoole area. The Alliance Councillor said: “I strongly condemn this type of vicious and thuggish behaviour. This type of attack is absolutely despicable. The police should be given respect […]
Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Cllr Stephen Farry, has called for reforms to be made to police pursuit policy, following the publication of the Police Ombudsman’s investigation into the death of Raymond Robinson in April 2004. The North Down Councillor said: “The recommendations made by Nuala O’Loan regarding reform of police pursuit policy are to be […]