ALLIANCE South Belfast representative Geraldine Rice has condemned racist leaflets being distributed in the area and racist graffiti. Councillor Rice said: “This is simply trying to create a climate of fear and is just another form of intimidation designed to make minority ethnic communities feel unwelcome in Belfast. “The narrow-minded racists behind these leaflets and […]
ALLIANCE will be meeting with the Independent Monitoring Commission tomorrow where it will call upon the Commissioners to publish an early report on recent paramilitary activity. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Alliance Party Justice spokesperson Councillor Stephen Farry welcomed today’s statement from the IMC that they are considering publishing an ad hoc report on the […]
ALLIANCE Assembly member Seamus Close has said that the two Governments must do something other than make public statements about Sinn Fein’s connections to the IRA and its violence. Mr Close said: “People have been exhorted not to vote for Sinn Fein by a Government minister; the Taoiseach has said that he believes that the […]
Alliance Party Deputy Leader and Spokesperson on Equality Eileen Bell MLA has indicated her support for proposed legislation to recognise civil unions in Northern Ireland. There is a UK-wide Civil Partnership Bill currently under consideration in Westminster. The Department of Finance and Personnel – Office of Law Reform is engaging in a consultation exercise to […]
Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Michael Long and East Belfast Alliance MLA Naomi Long held a meeting on Thursday with Translink chiefs to demand the reinstatement of the No. 85 Citybus service to Mount Merrion, which was axed at the end of February. In the past fortnight, the Alliance representatives have received support from over 100 local […]
ASSEMBLY member Sean Neeson has told Translink that he will fully support efforts to retain the railway line between Larne and Whitehead. Councillor Neeson was speaking after an Alliance delegation met with senior officials from Translink on Thursday regarding the future of the so-called ‘non-core network’. Cllr Neeson, who was an active supporter of the […]
ALLIANCE Assembly member Naomi Long has condemned the actions of those behind a security alert at Holland Park in East Belfast. Councillor Long, who is Chair of the East Belfast sub-group of the District Policing Partnership, stated: “Whoever was behind this device had no regard for the people in the area. Construction workers could have […]
Councillor Naomi Long has said that Alliance will not be supporting a motion calling for funding for a St Patrick’s Day event at today’s special meeting of Belfast City Council. Cllr Long said that Alliance had met with the carnival committee recently, and it had failed to convince her that the event would be inclusive. […]
North Down Alliance Councillor and Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has described as “very significant” the first ever convictions secured under the Terrorism Act for being in possession of flags associated with illegal paramilitary organisations. Four individuals were convicted in Bangor Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 2 March. The accused were charged and convicted under Article 13(1) […]
Alliance Leader David Ford has said that the decision by the Prime Minister to invite parties to Downing Street has fatally damaged the Review of the Agreement. He also criticised the role of the Irish Government. David Ford said: “The Review of the Agreement has been in a crisis since February 20th. This crisis was […]