At present, the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement seems to be in a catch-22 stalemate. Unionists are not prepared to countenance the restoration of the political institutions in the absence of sufficient progress on decommissioning. Republicans are insistent that there will not be an appropriate context for decommissioning unless the political institutions are restored. […]
The Alliance Party’s Spokesperson on Training and Employment, Councillor Jayne Dunlop, has welcomed the Government’s decision to increase the minimum wage by 10p to £3.70 an hour, and to increase the rate for those under 21 by 20p to £3.20. Jayne Dunlop said ” This is a welcome change of policy by the Government. The […]
Motion: This Assembly calls on Her Majesty’s Government to proclaim each year St Patrick’s Day a public holiday in Northern Ireland Proposing the Motion “Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I would like to explain to the Assembly the form of words that are required for this motion.” “Under the current constitutional arrangements, the […]
“First, I want to reiterate the point that a women-centred service is an ethos not a building. Both the City and the Royal are women-centre services providing choice and high quality care. It should be possible to combine the best of both services in a new regional maternity unit. There are a full range of […]
David Ford, Alliance Agriculture and Rural Development Spokesman, has criticised the First Minister for his refusal to provide additional funding for agri -environment schemes in Northern Ireland. In question to the First Minister in the Assembly, David Ford commented on the UUP leaders request to the Prime Minister for interest loan relief. He asked David […]
David Ford, Alliance Assembly Member for South Antrim, has condemned those responsible for today’s pipe bomb attack in Antrim. David Ford said: “Yet again ordinary people in Antrim are suffering at the hands of terrorists who are trying to take the law into their own hands: people who are intent on creating fear and tension […]
The Alliance Party today submitted their response to the Report of the Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland Commenting on the Alliance submission, Sean Neeson said: “Alliance believes that there is substantial scope for reforming the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland, particularly in making the system more understandable and accessible to […]
Alliance Party Leader, Sean Neeson, has no objections in principle to the Disqualifications Bill to allow Members of Dáil Éireann to stand for elections to Westminster and the Assembly, but he has reservations about the practicalities of representing different constituencies. Mr Neeson says- “The prime responsibility of any elected representative is to directly represent his […]
Alliance Party Leader Sean Neeson, Deputy Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Investment on Thursday launched a major project in the Guildhall in Londonderry to get women more involved in business in Northern Ireland. The project is sponsored by Women in Enterprise and will consist of a Micro-Enterprise Loan Fund with its […]
Commenting on the news that the Queen has awarded the George Cross to the RUC, Alliance Chief Whip, David Ford said “The award is recognition of the service to the community by the vast majority of Police Officers over the years. It will be widely welcomed by serving and past Officers and their families.” ” […]