Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy has demanded that the Secretary of State remove any single party’s ability to veto progress. Speaking prior to today’s meeting of the Assembly’s Business Committee, the Strangford Assembly member will say: “There is simply no point in any Committee meeting if any single party is allowed to veto progress agreed […]
The Alliance Party has slammed the other parties’ “hand-out” culture, instead saying that if Northern Ireland’s funds were allocated more efficiently, extra money from rates or subsidies would not be necessary. In a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer later today, the Alliance delegation will focus instead on policy proposals for a better economic […]
Alliance Local Government Chief Whip Stewart Dickson has expressed his disgust at an armed robbery on a restaurant in Carrickfergus, and said it illustrates the importance of tackling crime the right way in Northern Ireland. A Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on the Belfast Road in the town was attacked this morning [Sunday 18th]. The Carrickfergus […]
Alliance Coleraine representative Yvonne Boyle has said that a North Coast dance concert was an overall success despite some arrests, and called for more vision in bringing events to Northern Ireland and involving local talent. The Alliance Chairperson, herself a social worker dealing with people with addiction problems, stated: “Efficient policing and exuberant music fans […]
Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Michael Long has expressed his disgust at a paramilitary attack on a Council-run community centre, and said such actions justify the Alliance Group’s stance on links to paramilitary representatives. The centre was broken into and threats made to staff employed by the Council. Cllr Long, the Alliance Vice Chair, stated: “No matter […]
Alliance Assembly Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy has said more ambitious measures than just advertising restrictions are needed to tackle childhood obesity. Responding to news that UK Government ministers are considering clamping down on more than just TV advertising, the Strangford Assembly member stated: “Ministers need to consider measures well beyond restrictions on any form of […]
Alliance Party Vice Chair Michael Long has said that Ulster Unionist mistruths are no way to defend their Assembly link to representatives of the UVF. Responding to a press statement where Ulster Unionists erroneously claimed the Antrim Council Alliance Group had backed an Ulster Unionist candidate for Deputy Mayor, the Castlereagh Councillor stated: “In each […]
In his letter to you (June 2), in reference to loyalist paramilitaries, Councillor Michael McGimpsey claims that “loyalism is in transition”. The hint that this “transition”, under pressure from the UUP, might show tangible evidence of a move away from criminality is regrettably not supported by the evidence. In its most recent report the IMC […]
The Alliance Party has led a coalition of all parties to deliver the first SDLP Deputy Mayor in the history of Castlereagh Borough Council. This follows on from the Alliance Party’s insistence that it would not back an Ulster Unionist candidate following the UVF assassination attempt, in the light of that party’s Assembly link-up to […]
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has blasted direct-rule Minister David Hanson, after the Minister claimed Alliance backed the Government’s rates policy. David Ford stated: “The Minister’s comments are entirely false. If he believes these are our views, he has been seriously misled. “The Alliance Party’s calls for a local income tax bear no relation to […]