Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Sara Duncan has said the £500,000 boost to funds for advice centres through local Councils announced by Social Development Minister David Hanson today will constitute superb value for money in communities across Northern Ireland – and illustrates the value of spending on services for all. Cllr Duncan stated: “I know from my […]
Former Alliance Deputy Leader Eileen Bell has said that integrated public services are central to a stable future – and that the ethic of providing them must be promoted throughout public service providers now. Speaking before forming part of the Alliance Party delegation meeting the Secretary of State, the North Down MLA stated: “Many voluntary […]
Alliance Party Leader David Ford is calling on the Secretary of State to recognise that ‘Shared Future’ principles are fundamental to any hope of securing stable devolved institutions. David Ford will say: “We are calling on the Government to stop talking and start acting on making integration central to all aspects of public policy in […]
Alliance Equality Spokeperson Eileen Bell has demanded that her calls made in the Assembly to ring-fence spending on special needs education are more relevant now than ever before. Speaking in the context of cutbacks to funding debated by Education Boards across Northern Ireland, the North Down Assembly Member stated: “We have to be clear that […]
Antrim Alliance Councillor Alan Lawther has expressed disappointment with the UK Budget unveiled by the Chancellor, saying that it does not do enough for the Environment. Cllr Lawther stated: “From an environmental point of view the budget was yet again disappointing. The amount of green taxation levied has fallen since Gordon Brown became Chancellor despite […]
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has welcomed news that hare coursing will be suspended in Northern Ireland for one year, but cautioned that policies on the protection of the species must focus on the whole conservation issue, not just coursing. Speaking in Dublin, David Ford stated: “Any new protection for the Irish Hare is welcome, […]
Belfast Alliance Councillor Máire Hendron has expressed her shock at yet another attack on an East Belfast church. She spoke after her own church was attacked a fortnight ago. Cllr Hendron stated: “People attacking churches are achieving nothing for themselves, nothing for their community, and nothing for our society. “What exactly do attacks on places […]
Antrim Alliance Councillor Alan Lawther has said that ratepayers must not be called upon to cover for the incompetence of the Department of the Environment on waste management, after a damning report on the department’s performance in Parliament. Cllr Lawther stated: “We in the Alliance Party have led the way in ensuring as far as […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Alderman Kieran McCarthy MLA has said people are concerned that corners are being cut in the attempt to balance health budgets, after it was revealed that hospital beds are being handed over in little over an hour. The Strangford Assembly member stated: “It is clearly totally unacceptable that people entering hospital risk […]
Former Alliance Lord Mayor of Belfast Tom Ekin has said people must follow a legal path rather than become in embroiled in apparent support for racist attacks. Responding to protests in the Donegall Rd area last night, the Balmoral Councillor stated: “Street protests about the ethnic divide are no way to go about things. They […]