Alliance Party General Secretary, Stephen Farry, has slammed suggestions of holding a ‘border poll’ on the same day as the Assembly Election as crazy. Dr Farry said: “The idea of holding a ‘border poll’ on the same day as the Assembly Election is crazy.” “Even in the best of times, a ‘border poll’ would be […]
In response to Judith Maas, who asked if Alliance believed new laws against sectarianism would be successful, in the same way as workplace equality laws have been, Deputy Alliance Leader Eileen Bell said: “Alliance called for Hate Crimes legislation dealing with sectarianism to be introduced here in June 2000. Unfortunately, others do not seem to […]
“I was delighted to read Iris Robinson’s stout defence of the Assembly in the News Letter on Thursday. It is worth noting from the outset the DUP’s attitude towards the Assembly has shifted from attack to defence.” “Like her Ministerial husband, who has just launched his 10-year plan for transport in Northern Ireland, it appears […]
North Down Alliance Councillor, Stephen Farry, has called for a more pro-active approach from statutory agencies and the police to tackle the scourge of illegal paramilitary flags. Speaking after the erection of a number of paramilitary flags in mixed areas, Stephen Farry stated: “In too many parts of Northern Ireland, territory is being marked out […]
“Making Belfast a better place for the entire community has been my personal motto since I became a City Councillor.” “Beforehand, I had often felt frustrated by the lack of co-operation between nationalists and unionists, as it was obvious that this division was leading to the people losing out.” “Why, it could have been argued, […]
ALLIANCE Assembly member Kieran McCarthy has criticised the DUP for its second apparent policy U-turn in just over a week. Mr McCarthy said he had been disappointed by the DUP voting against his proposals for free personal care for the elderly last Monday (June 24), after both he and Nigel Dodds brought forward a joint […]
It’s the oldest of clichés, but a week is a long time in politics. Mind you, when you pour £1million down the drain every week, it’s an expensive time too. Despite the cries of poverty from Ministers in the Assembly, on Friday it was revealed that the Executive is underspending its budget by up to […]
Over the past few weeks and months much has been written about the Israeli and Palestinian flags now flying all over Belfast. This is a recent phenomenon, and one which greatly concerns myself – as a member of the Jewish community in Belfast – and others. Far from indicating any sympathy with Israel, the Israeli […]
“Anyone reading some of the sectarian comments of children as young as four years old contained in the new University of Ulster report ‘Too Young to Notice’ (25/6/02) must realise how far away Northern Ireland is from becoming a normal society free from sectarianism and tribalism.” “On the same page I read with interest the […]
Alliance Sports Spokesperson Michael Long has branded the Sports Ministers decision to put the idea of a new National Stadium on the back burner as “short-sighted”. He stated that a new stadium is needed to bring local facilities up to the standard of the rest of the UK, and would also help counter the sectarian […]