ALLIANCE Party Sports Spokesperson Cllr Michael Long has said that he would support the playing of Danny Boy at Northern Ireland football matches as part of a co-ordinated strategy to make local soccer more inclusive. Cllr Long also suggested the use of Danny Boy at GAA matches in the north, instead of the Soldier’s Song. […]
“Many commentators are speculating that the results from the Assembly Elections will make it impossible to elect a First and Deputy First Minister team under the current rules. There has been less comment on how the system of d’Hondt will work, or rather fail to work, after the elections.” “At present, there are five unionist […]
Alliance Assembly member Seamus Close has strongly criticised the Prime Minister and President Bush as they prepare to invade Iraq. Mr Close said: “The imminent invasion of Iraq is wrong. Bush and Blair say that they feel threatened, so they are going to attack first. That message, ‘get your boot in first’, is typical of […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Eileen Bell has said that ending the practice of paramilitary exiling is a necessary ‘act of completion’ if the Northern Ireland peace process is to succeed. The Alliance Victims’ Spokesperson was speaking ahead of an event in the House of Lords to highlight the issue of forcible exile by paramilitaries. Mrs Bell, […]
Alliance South Antrim Assembly member David Ford has said that the closure of the railway line between Antrim and Lisburn will be a disaster for public transport in Northern Ireland. Mr Ford, who has campaigned for the retention of the service, said he had not given up the fight for the line yet. The matter […]
Alliance Councillor Geraldine Rice has met with the Health Minister Des Browne to discuss how services can be improved in Northern Ireland. Cllr Rice said the Minister had agreed to examine midwife-led maternity units as a means of lessening the burden of local hospitals. Cllr Rice stated: “In 90 percent of cases, women do not […]
Alliance Councillor Geraldine Rice has met with the Health Minister Des Browne to discuss how services can be improved in Northern Ireland. Cllr Rice said the Minister had agreed to examine midwife-led maternity units as a means of lessening the burden of local hospitals. Cllr Rice stated: “In 90 percent of cases, pregnant women do […]
“When we talk about a decent health service in Northern Ireland, the fundamental starting point must be the needs of individual people.” “Public policy should aim to help people enjoy good health, to work and live independently and have a rewarding social life. That goes for our overstretched nurses and doctors, as well as patients.” […]
Alliance Finance Spokesman Seamus Close MLA has slammed the Government for attempting to kill off public debate on metering as a possible basis for water charges in the future. Mr Close accused Minister Angela Smith of “unduly influencing the jury” in her consultation paper ‘The Reform of Water and Sewerage Services in Northern Ireland’, which […]
Alliance MLA Sean Neeson proposed a motion (below) on planning at the Annual Party Conference at the Dunadry Hotel on Saturday. It was overwhelmingly passed, and I have included an extract from his speech below. Motion 5: Environment (Planning) ·Conference notes the increased public concern at the number of contentious planning decisions, in particular those […]