Alliance Assemblyman Kieran McCarthy has said that now is the time for extension of the Football Offences Act to Northern Ireland. He was responding to comments by the Irish Football Association’s Chief Executive Howard Wells in favour of the move. The Strangford MLA stated: “During the lifetime of the Assembly, I called for legislation along […]
North Down Alliance Councillor David Alderdice has welcomed news that the forensic scientist looking at the cases of the so-called ‘Disappeared’ will also be made available for the Lisa Dorrian case. Dr Alderdice stated: “It is entirely right that any expertise that can be brought in to assist with this tragic loss be made available. […]
Alliance Leader David Ford MLA has accused Government Ministers of running scared on the proposed legislation on fugitives offenders after Ministers refused to discuss the issue with him. David Ford said: “It is clear that Government Ministers are themselves on the run from discussing the issue of paramilitary fugitives openly. They are frightened to engage […]
Alliance Sports Spokesperson Michael Long has said the Government must not delay in bringing equivalent legislation to the Football Offences Act to Northern Ireland. Responding to statements made in Parliament by NI Sports Minister David Hanson, the Castlereagh Councillor stated: “The Minister is being nothing like forceful enough when he says he is merely ‘considering’ […]
Alliance Councillors have called for clarity on the use of seat belts in buses, particularly for schoolchildren, and demanded that buses with seat belts be made available for all school trips. Party Organiser and Antrim Councillor Alan Lawther stated: “I find it totally unacceptable that we do not appear to have learned from the horrendous […]
Alliance Deputy Leader and Victims’ Spokesperson Eileen Bell has responded to calls by the DUP in North Antrim reported in the Irish for the release of the Poyntzpass killers by saying that the focus of Government proposals must be victims, not terrorists. The North Down MLA stated: “A week ago a Victims’ Commissioner was put […]
Alliance Deputy Leader and Victims Spokesperson Eileen Bell has said victims’ groups are unhappy with the allocation of a further £1.5m to the Victims’ Commission without first having been consulted themselves. The North Down MLA stated: “Victims’ Groups I work with are concerned that money is being spent on ‘window dressing’ the victims’ issue for […]
Alliance Party Representative of South Belfast, Allan Leonard, has said that the growth of retail in Belfast mustn’t rip the heart out of our communities. Mr Leonard was responding to Secretary of State, Peter Hain’s declaring Belfast as the next growth hotspot for retail-led regeneration. Allan Leonard said: “The Secretary of State’s vision for Belfast […]
Alliance Leader David Ford has given a cautious welcome to confirmation from Church leaders that a feud between the LVF and UVF has ended. The South Antrim MLA stated: “The feud between the LVF and the UVF had served only one purpose – to destroy the communities those organisations claim to represent. “Only last week […]
The Alliance Party has put forward a series of proposals aimed at ending segregation and prioritising integrated services and facilities across Government. Party Leader David Ford announced the plans in response to the Government’s Shared Future framework document released in March 2005, which committed the Government to start publishing triennial proposals, as of this autumn, […]