The Alliance Party has today published its response to the draft Bill of Rights issued by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has welcomed the bulk of the recommendations, but expressed concern at a number especially the suggestion that a right to funding for segregated schools be entrenched. Dr Farry stated: […]
Alliance Leader David Ford has welcomed today’s Court decision to reject the DUP case against the election of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. David Ford said: “The decision of the judge, and the terms in which he gave his judgment, will be welcomed by all those who wish to see stability and progress […]
David Ford said: “2001 has been a year of major challenge and change in Northern Ireland. At the beginning of the year, there was great uncertainty as to whether the peace process could survive.” “Decommissioning, policing reform, security normalisation, and the stability of the institutions remained outstanding issues. Furthermore, increasing community polarisation and rising paramilitary […]
North Down Alliance Councillor, Stephen Farry, in an end of year statement, has pointed out the successes in stabilising the peace process during 2001, but warned of the need to begin tackling sectarian divisions in 2002. Stephen Farry said: “2001 has been a year of major challenge and change in Northern Ireland. Right up to […]
Children in Northern Ireland are frequently at the top of UK educational achievement lists – but in recent years far too many have been leaving school with few or any qualifications. This inequality is the legacy of a selective education system, where children who have been educated together up to the age of 11 are […]
If there is one thing that Alliance proved during the recent election of our First and Deputy First Minister it is that in the Assembly all votes are equal, but some votes are more equal than others. Under the current bizarre voting system, key decisions such as this election require cross-community support – yet they […]
Alliance Party candidates for Antrim Borough Council, Pete Whitcroft and Alison McCartney are highlighting children’s safety within council maintained play areas as part of their manifesto for the Council elections. Most urgent within the Alliance’s objectives is the erection of a low-level safety fence and access gates to enclose the play area within Wallace Park […]
All the efforts made over the past few weeks to put the peace process back on the rails will be to no avail if the opportunity to sort out the problems of the designations and voting system in the Assembly is not used. The recent crisis over electing a First Minister and a Deputy First […]
The situation in which Alliance found itself this past weekend stank. But for those of us who want real stability and peace in Northern Ireland, some of us are reluctantly prepared to hold our noses for a week. Once again, a not unexpected crisis, facilitated by a highly flawed voting system, emerged in the Assembly. […]
Distinguished Guests and Fellow Alliance Delegates, good morning. Welcome to Belfast on this fine autumn morning. I wish to start by thanking three people in particular who have worked so hard to move the Peace Process along the road: Sean Neeson, our outgoing Leader, who deserves a rest – but who won’t take it because […]