The importance to the Republic of Ireland of EU membership has, I believe, been widely misunderstood. It has been misunderstood in Britain where there has been an almost tabloid fascination with the ability of the cute Paddies to wheedle endless amounts of cash from the Brussels bureaucracy. It has been misunderstood here in Northern Ireland […]
This is the thirty-third Alliance conference. In a few months time, the party will be a third of a century old. And yet, the unique vision that we have, that distinguishes us from all other parties in Northern Ireland, is fresh and new, a beacon of hope for a society jaded by the politics of […]
There is confusion in the public mind between District Rates which elected councillors vote for, and Regional rates which have been imposed by Civil Servants, who are unelected, unknown, and unimaginative. The district rate, approved by elected councillors in Belfast, is less than half the total rates bill received by you. The rate of annual […]
Friends, Fellow Delegates, Well here we are again. As I have said many times over the years, the lack of trust that is so patently obvious between our political parties, and the fact that they all still think in terms of winners and losers, means that judgements are clouded, ideas are restricted on the way […]
The Alliance party will be holding their Annual Conference in the Dunadry Hotel on Saturday the 8th of March 2003. Every member will be entitled to attend but we particulary welcome your friends or family who are interested in joining the Alliance, or even volunteering in taking part in the day to day running of […]
Alliance Assembly Health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the news that waiting list figures have dropped. Mr McCarthy said: “After three years of rising numbers on the waiting list, this fall is very welcome.” “While today’s news is a tribute to the hard work of hospital staff all over Northern Ireland, the Government must not […]
ALLIANCE Councillor Naomi Long has said that the announcement that almost 1,200 jobs are under threat at Shorts is a major blow to the area. Cllr Long said: “After around 1,300 people lost their jobs at Shorts last year, this comes as a devastating blow to East Belfast. “What is frustrating is the way in […]
Alliance Councillor Geraldine Rice has hailed the decision to reverse a Castlereagh Council recommendation to close the Robinson Centre as a victory for people power. Cllr Rice said the U-turn had completely vindicated Alliance’s decision to oppose the closure, a crisis that had been brought about through the mismanagement of rates over many years by […]
Alliance Party Castlereagh Councillor Geraldine Rice has said she hopes that Castlereagh Council will overturn plans to close the Robinson Leisure Centre tonight. Protesters are expected at the civic offices tonight to demonstrate against the proposal to close the centre. The council is meeting to decide whether or not to ratify previous recommendations. This rates […]
Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Michael Long has expressed anger at the rejection of his proposal at this month’s Technical Services Committee to set up a working group to look at how to reduce the problems of dog fouling in the Borough. In a recent TidyNI survey Castlereagh had the second worst record for dog fouling in […]