Responding to Finance Minister Ian Pearson’s statement today that many ratepayers will face major rises in their rates bills from 2007, Alliance Party Finance Spokesman Seamus Close MLA stated: “The current system is antiquated and unfair, as it takes no account of ability to pay. Whilst the new system will be an improvement, insofar as […]
ALLIANCE Party Deputy Leader Eileen Bell MLA has called for an end to the “unproductive and unhelpful” megaphone diplomacy being carried out by certain political parties in Northern Ireland. Mrs Bell stated: “If history has taught us anything over the last 35 years, it is the fact that the public ravings of some political leaders […]
With the Chief Constable set to make a statement on the future of the Full-Time Reserve, Alliance Party Leader, David Ford, has called on the Secretary of State to set aside the 50:50 recruitment quotas to allow those who wish to join the full Police Service. David Ford stated: “In Northern Ireland, as throughout the […]
ALLIANCE South Antrim MLA David Ford has condemned the actions of those behind a hoax bomb alert in the Rathenraw estate, Antrim, on Saturday night. The Alliance Leader said: “Clearly, there are some misguided people out there with an agenda that includes raising tensions in Rathenraw. This latest incident, which caused residents much disruption, must […]
ALLIANCE Leader David Ford MLA has called on the Government to ensure that this month’s discussions at Stormont and Leeds Castle include all the outstanding issues. Speaking after separate meetings today with the Secretary of State and with the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, David Ford stated: “I believe that there is a real danger […]
Responding to the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry report which shows that death rates from many cancers in Ireland are higher than in the rest of Europe, Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA (Strangford) stated: “Northern Ireland has been at the forefront of developing treatments for cancer, and we are making enormous progress in that respect. […]
ALLIANCE Finance Spokesman Seamus Close MLA has said those involved in today’s talks to re-establish the political institutions must not forget that new arrangements must be supported financially. Speaking ahead of today’s talks, Mr Close stated: “Those engaged in the negotiations about the future of Northern Ireland must ensure that financial issues, such as the […]
Alliance Assembly Member, Sean Neeson, welcomes the agreement that has been reached between Phoenix Gas and the regulator, OFREG, about future contracts. The former Vice Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said: “Hopefully this agreement will restore confidence to the natural gas industry in Northern Ireland for both domestic and business […]
Submitting the Alliance Party’s response to a consultation on environmental protection, Alliance Party Leader, David Ford MLA, said that the time is right for Northern Ireland to have an independent Environmental Protection Agency. David Ford, who was a member of the Assembly’s Environment Committee, highlighted the poor record of the protection of Northern Ireland’s environment: […]
The Alliance Party has welcomed today’s formal introduction of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders into Northern Ireland. The Government has today signed a commencement order which brings in to force legislation to tackle anti-social behaviour. Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Dr Stephen Farry commented: “The formal introduction of ASBOs now raises the prospect of alleviating some of the […]