Commenting on the Ulster Marketing Surveys report on Queen’s Students Union revealed in the Belfast Telegraph, Alliance Party spokesman Stephen Farry has called for attention to shift from the ‘politics of symbolism’ to the quality of student services. “There are undoubtedly problems of alienation amongst Protestant students at Queen’s. But this is not only caused […]
Alliance Spokesman Philip McGarry has welcomed President Mary McAleese’s call on the GAA to remove Rule 21, which bans membership to members of the RUC and the Army. Philip McGarry said: “We welcome the President’s call for this offensive rule to be scrapped. We have always taken the view that the rule does nothing but […]
Alliance Party Deputy Leader Seamus Close has criticsed the continuing lack of opportunity for local political representatives to have an effective input to Government public expenditure plans. Seamus Close said: “For some time now we have been asking the Northern Ireland Office to arrange monthly meetings were senior civil servants can exchange first hand with […]
Dickson Welcomes BMA Report The Alliance Party’s new Health and Social Services spokesman, Alderman Stewart Dickson, has welcomed the British Medical Association’s detailed analysis of the Northern Ireland health service. The Carrickfergus Councillor said the report, which claims that half of Northern Ireland’s trusts to do not have enough beds to cope with emergencies, highlights […]
Alliance Party Spokesman, Cllr Stephen Farry, has described the referendum vote on the Irish Language Signs in Queen’s Students’ Union as a regrettable blow to the concept of fair employment. Cllr Farry stated: “Fair employment matters cannot be decided by a majority vote either among the workers in a factory or by students in a […]
South Antrim Alliance Councillor David Ford has condemned last Friday’s murder of Mr. Gerry Devlin at St. Edna’s GAA club in Glengormley. Councillor Ford said: “I would like to reiterate my condemnation of this horrific crime and I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to Mr. Devlin’s family. And as we approach Christmas – […]
Newtownabbey Alliance Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor, Mr. Jim Rooney, has expressed his “revulsion” at last Friday’s murder of Mr. Gerry Devlin at St. Edna’s GAA club in Glengormely. Alderman Rooney said the “vicious” slaying of Mr. Devlin had brought unnecessary pain and anguish to the popular GAA man’s family. The Alliance Councillor said: “I […]
Speaking at the Alliance Party’s Quarterly Council Meeting in Bangor, Cllr Stephen Farry, called for the party to work to ensure that any Talks agreement is not simply a carve-up between Unionism and Nationalism. Cllr Farry said: “There is a growing sense of cautious optimism that the Talks could produce a political agreement. The parameters […]
Alliance Chief Whip and Carrickfergus Councillor, Sean Neeson, has sought an urgent meeting with Security Minister Adam Ingram over the future of the Royal Irish Regiment base at Woodburn. Alderman Neeson, who is member of the Stormont Talks Team and Northern Ireland Forum, confirmed that he will be asking Mr. Ingram to clarify the Government’s […]
Alliance Leader Lord Alderdice, speaking at todays meeting of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in Dublin Castle has issued challenges to participants to face the realities of the Talks Process. Lord Alderdice said: “I welcome the increasing network of contacts which is part of the process of inclusivity necessary to build the peace which […]