THE Government has been told in no uncertain terms that people in Newtownards are not prepared to pay twice for their water, Alliance Assembly member Kieran McCarthy (Strangford) has said. Alderman McCarthy was speaking after a public meeting in Queen’s Hall, Newtownards, last night to debate water charges. Representatives from the General Consumer Council and […]
ALLIANCE Leader David Ford has said that the failure to reach final agreement on decommissioning should not overshadow the fact that arrangements for a restored Assembly are now in place. Speaking ahead of a special meeting of the Alliance Party Executive this evening, Mr Ford said: “Today is a deeply disappointing day in many ways. […]
THE closure of libraries in Belfast will be a disaster for communities in deprived areas of the city, according to Alliance’s East Belfast Assembly member, Councillor Naomi Long. Cllr Long, who is Alliance’s Education spokesperson, stated: “Libraries in places like Ballymacarrett, which is closing and serves The Mount, Ballymacarrett and Island wards, serve very deprived […]
Recognising that the current talks appear to have foundered on the lack of confidence, Alliance Leader David Ford has called on the Government to make community relations a priority. David Ford said: “It appears that some hugely significant prizes were on offer, in particular the DUP finally recognising the need to share power with Republicans, […]
Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Michael Long has hit out at a “swing towards extremism” by the UUP in Castlereagh and across East Belfast, as demonstrated by recent actions in the council chamber and local comments on the peace process and law and order. Cllr Long said: “It is sad to watch the UUP lurch to the […]
NEW benefit arrangements are likely to hit claimants hard over Christmas due to the Government’s unwillingness to be flexible over payment dates, according to Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy (Strangford). Customer benefits, when paid by the old ‘book’ system at holiday time, are paid one week in advance. A book due on Monday, 20 December is […]
ALLIANCE Assembly member for Strangford Kieran McCarthy has extended his sympathy to the family of a teenage killed in a car crash on the Portaferry Road. Alderman McCarthy said: “The crash happened on a corner, although I don’t recall any accidents happening there before. It is very sad, and I offer sympathy to the parents, […]
ALLIANCE Leader David Ford has said that if the chance to make a deal is not taken this week, Northern Ireland will lose the greatest opportunity to deliver sustainable devolved government for at least a decade. He has called on P O’Neill, the IRA ‘spokesman’, to contact General de Chastelain by Tuesday afternoon for discussions […]
Speaking to the quarterly meeting of his party council in Lisburn, Alliance Leader David Ford will welcome Ian Paisley’s comments on his willingness to work with Sinn Fein following Decommissioning. David Ford will say: “Last Wednesday, in Downing Street, I called on the parties, especially the DUP and Sinn Fein, to concentrate on the prize […]
AN outcry over steep hikes in water bills in England and Wales resulted in reduced increases for consumers, and shows just how unfair the proposed water charges for Northern Ireland are, according to Alliance Councillor Naomi Long MLA. According to Ofwat, the industry regulator, average household bills in England and Wales can rise by £46 […]