Stephen Farry, Alliance Party Spokesperson for Global Affairs, has stated that the decision by the Iranian government to break the seals, placed by the United Nations, on its nuclear production facilities, is precipitating an unnecessary crisis. The suspicion is that Iran’s desire to pursue uranium enrichment is a cover for a nuclear weapons programme. Stephen […]
Alliance spokesperson for children Marjorie Hawkins has welcomed Lord Rooker’s appointment as Children’s Minister, and called for it to lead to the establishment of a Children’s Parliament. The North Belfast representative stated: “We in Alliance were pushing for a Children’s Minister well before the establishment of the Children’s Commission, because we want the needs of […]
North Antrim Alliance representative Jayne Dunlop has expressed relief that the Republican parade in Ballymena passed off without incident. The former Alliance Party Chairperson stated: “It is a great relief that there was no trouble during the parade. It was a very small parade with effective marshalling and passed off peacefully. “However, the uniforms worn […]
North Antrim Alliance representative Jayne Dunlop has branded further attacks on Catholic homes in Cloughmills ‘disgusting’, and said now is the time to give up sectarian violence once and for all. The former Alliance Chairperson stated: “These disgusting attacks must stop immediately. My and my party’s sympathies go out to those affected. “It is intolerable […]
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has called for clarity on the UK Government’s plans for an amnesty for people still being sought for terrorist offences. The South Antrim MLA stated: “The UK Government has been working on legislation concerning ‘on-the-runs’ for at least four years now. There are widespread concerns in the community that this […]
Alliance Party Deputy Leader Eileen Bell has called for action from all sides a week on from the IRA statement ending its armed campaign. The North Down MLA stated: “We have now seen full proposals and significant action from the UK Government on what it is going to do, which have gone ahead without consultation […]
East Belfast MLA Naomi Long has called for proper engagement between the UK Government and the political parties in the run up to talks on the restoration of devolution. Cllr Long, who leads the party group on Belfast City Council, stated: “The history of Northern Ireland has shown that boycotts simply do not work. Now […]
Reacting to suggestions that Northern Ireland MPs may be afforded speaking rights in the Dáil Éireann, Alliance Party Leader, David Ford, has called on politicians to focus on creating a political climate in the North that would make real cross-border links work most effectively. David Ford said: “The ding-dong battle going on concerning speaking rights […]
Allan Leonard, Alliance Party representative for South Belfast, has welcomed the two-day visit by US Ambassador to the UK, Robert Holmes Tuttle. Speaking after meeting the Ambassador at the US Consul General’s residence, Allan Leonard said: “It was a pleasure to meet the Ambassador, who was intrigued about my American background. I explained my original […]
Stephen Farry, Alliance Party Spokesperson for Justice, has told the British Government that it mustn’t play politics with the Policing Board. Dr Farry was responding to the announcement by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State that the tenure of the current membership of the Policing Board is to continue until no later than October 2006. […]