In response to the National Audit Office report published today on fraud and official errors in pension and benefit payments, Alliance Finance Spokesman, Cllr Seamus Close MLA (Lagan Valley) stated: “I am very disappointed at the upward trend in the levels of overpayment through fraud and error in the Department of Social Development. The latest […]
Thank you for having me on behalf of Sean Neeson, who was unable to be here today. Sean, of course, has been a persistent advocate for those who have suffered the ill effects of asbestos. He was a joint founder of the Justice for Asbestos Victims group, and sends his best wishes for your successful […]
ALLIANCE Councillor Sara Duncan has welcomed news that Orange is to hold an independent radio survey of the Orange phone mast on the roof of Belvoir House in the Belvoir estate. The Orange mast on top of Belvoir House, a tall block of flats in Belvoir Park estate, has been causing concern to residents who […]
FARMERS thinking about using tyres to hold down silo covers should consider telling DoE that they are storing them for an Eleventh Night bonfire – because this way, they won’t have to buy a special permit, according to Alliance. David Ford, Alliance Leader and Agriculture Spokesman, has accused the Department of the Environment of hypocrisy […]
ALLIANCE’S North Antrim representative Jayne Dunlop has criticised a DUP Assembly member for expressing disbelief in Sinn Féin’s attribution of blame to loyalist paramilitaries for leaving a pipe bomb at the home of an SF activist in Ballymena. Ms Dunlop said: “This is a disgraceful comment from a public representative. No one is asking Mr […]
ALLIANCE Assembly member Seamus Close (Lagan Valley) has expressed considerable cynicism over the Department of Regional Development’s plans for consultation on the future of the railway network. Mr Close said: “I am amazed that the Minister is seeking rail consultation; after all, it was his Department that shattered public faith in consultation recently. “Many people […]
ALLIANCE Councillor Lynn Frazer (Newtownabbey) has criticised the Department of Education for refusing to fund a successful sex education project in Northern Ireland. The Department of Education has refused to fund the Love for Life charity’s Relationship and Sex Education programmes in Northern Ireland secondary schools. Cllr Frazer said: “Given Northern Ireland’s pregnancy rate and […]
ALLIANCE Party leader, David Ford MLA, today officially opened Assembly Member, Naomi Long’s new East Belfast Constituency Office. They were joined at the official opening by party activists from throughout East Belfast. Cllr Naomi Long MLA said: “I am delighted that the office is now open, allowing people even more convenient access to advice and […]
ALLIANCE Assembly member Seamus Close has accused Environment Minister Angela Smith MP of providing loyalists with advice on law-breaking after the Environment & Heritage Service launched bonfire guidelines today. Councillor Close said: “It is illegal for bonfires to be built on public property, yet here we have the Minister encouraging illegality by providing advice on […]
ALLIANCE Councillor for Castlereagh Michael Long has condemned the murder of a man at Montgomery Road this morning. Cllr Long said: “This sickening murder has to be condemned, no matter who the victim was. People are sick of paramilitaries bringing their feuds onto the streets every year, putting innocent people in the line of fire […]