ALLIANCE Spokesperson Alan Lawther has warned that rates increases in Antrim should be expected in the future, despite this year’s increase. Mr Lawther said Antrim ratepayers would now be querying the wisdom of building new council offices at a time when the council was behind the biggest rates hike in Northern Ireland. Mr Lawther, who […]
ALLIANCE Victims’ Spokesperson Eileen Bell MLA has said that a new freephone helpline for the victims of domestic abuse will provide a lifeline for many who suffer at the hands of abusive partners. Mrs Bell, also Alliance Deputy Leader, stated: “Today’s announcement means that there is much greater certainty about the future of funding for […]
THE Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Ekin, has condemned a petrol bomb attack on a Tate’s Avenue house early on Monday morning. Cllr Ekin stated: “Thirty years of violence should have taught us that these kind of attacks resolve nothing, and I condemn this one unreservedly. There were six children in this house, and […]
Responding to Gerry Adams’ statement that Republicans were opposed to criminal activity, Alliance Leader David Ford said that such statements were meaningless. David Ford said: “Leading members of Sinn Fein can repeat the new mantra of their opposition to criminal activity as often as they like, but they are persuading nobody. “It is time that […]
Speaking after a number of arrests in the Irish Republic by Gardai investigating money laundering operations in Cork, Alliance Leader David Ford stated: “I would congratulate the Gardai for their success so far. This appears to have been a significant blow against organised crime which had the potential to cause problems for people all over […]
Another year and another league table of District Rate increases. I take small comfort that the district I represent, Lisburn City Council, was able to limit its rate increase by a tiny 0.8%. Any satisfaction in this achievement is tempered by the fact that all ratepayers in Northern Ireland will face a Regional Rate hike […]
Dear Editor, Another year and another league table of District Rate increases. I take small comfort that the district I represent, Lisburn City Council, was able to limit its rate increase by a tiny 0.8%. Any satisfaction in this achievement is tempered by the fact that all ratepayers in Northern Ireland will face a Regional […]
In submitting its response to promoting social inclusion of homeless people, Alliance Party spokesperson on Social Development, Eileen Bell MLA, has called for the establishment of a right to adequate housing. “Homeless people suffer social exclusion across a wide range of services, reducing an individual’s dignity, self-esteem and ability to make a positive contribution to […]
East Belfast Alliance Assembly member, Cllr Naomi Long, proposed a compromise last night which was agreed by Belfast City Council to try to ensure co-operation with the St Patrick’s Day Carnival Committee. The proposal, which was agreed at last night’s special Council meeting, will mean that, whilst no direct funding will be provided to the […]
Responding to the announcement that Belfast aerospace company Shorts is to cut its workforce by up to 280, East Belfast Assembly member Naomi Long stated: “These job losses are always a tremendous source of concern in East Belfast, and it really reinforces the need for Shorts to secure as much work as possible on the […]