Massive cuts to Castlereagh’s leisure and community services, and huge reductions in the arts, civic and economic development budgets have been predicted by Alliance after the Council accepted a rates rise of 9p in the pound. The Alliance group on Castlereagh Council voted against the DUP/UUP proposed rate, which will mean council job losses. However, […]
Alliance Assembly member Sean Neeson has called for an independent investigation into the role of insurance companies in Northern Ireland. Mr Neeson was speaking ahead of the launch of the Federation of Small Businesses Insurance Survey on high insurance premiums affecting Northern Ireland small businesses. Mr Neeson, the former Deputy Chair of the Assembly’s Enterprise, […]
As the ban on cigarette adverting takes effect on February 14, Assembly member Kieran McCarthy has urged smokers not just to show their love for others this Valentine’s Day, but care for themselves too. Mr McCarthy, Assembly Health Spokesperson, is a former smoker. Mr McCarthy stated: “I believe this ban can only be good for […]
David Ford, Alliance Party Leader, has said that he will participate in tomorrow’s peace march in Belfast. David Ford said: “At last week’s meeting of the governing Council of the Alliance party, many delegates expressed serious concern at the actions of the Government over the Iraqi crisis. Particular concern was expressed at the misinformation being […]
Alliance Deputy Leader Eileen Bell has said loyalist paramilitary threats against postal workers in Belfast must be lifted immediately. Condemning the threat, Mrs Bell said: “Enough is enough. Public service workers, whether they are refuse collectors facing threats from republicans or postal workers being threatened by loyalists, are ordinary people who have every right to […]
South and East Belfast Alliance Party Councillors, Geraldine Rice and Naomi Long, met with senior police this morning to discuss recent attacks on the elderly in the city. The councillors arranged the meeting following the death of an 82-year-old woman in Belvoir two weeks ago after she was robbed. Alliance discussed with PSNI officers what […]
The Alliance Party group on Castlereagh Council has voted against the DUP proposed rate – a rise of over 9p in the rates. This rise will result in massive cuts to services, including the closure of the Council’s only swimming and diving pool for up to two years, the temporary closure of the municipal golf […]
Potential police officers are joining the Metropolitan Police instead of the PSNI because of the 50:50 quota system, Alliance Leader David Ford has said. Mr Ford was speaking after he and Alliance’s North Belfast Assembly candidate, Marjorie Hawkins, had a meeting yesterday with senior police officer, to discuss issues such as organised crime and paramilitary […]
Alliance Assembly member Sean Neeson has criticised Under Secretary of State Ian Pearson for providing only ‘the flimsiest of excuses’ for not including a low-cost borrowing mechanism in the Draft Energy Order, which was debated in the House of Commons on Monday. Mr Pearson stated that he was not able to include the mechanism – […]
Alliance Assembly candidate Jayne Dunlop has been selected to serve on the Ballymena District Police Partnership Board. DPPBs are part of the new policing arrangements recommended by Patten. The Boards provide views to the district commander about policing in his district, monitoring police performance, make the public’s views know to the PSNI and discuss local […]