Alliance Leader David Ford intends to boycott tomorrow’s re-launch of the Environment and Heritage Service because the Executive has failed to create an independent Environmental Protection Agency. Mr Ford said that tomorrow’s event is the political equivalent of the emperor’s new clothes, as the organisation already exists. He plans to spend the time of the […]
Alliance Leader David Ford has labelled Sinn Fein’s stance on the creation of an independent EPA hypocritical. Following the Executive’s refusal to overturn Arlene Foster’s failure to establish an EPA, Sinn Fein’s Cathal Boylan defended the Executive. Yet last week, Mr Boylan called for an independent EPA in an interview after a pollution incident. Mr […]
Alliance education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has backed the criticism by the Ulster Teachers Union and the Irish National Teachers Organisation of the attempts by the Association for Quality Education to set a breakaway exam for grammar schools. Both unions have said that it would be wrong for schools to spend part of their budget […]
Coleraine Alliance Councillor Barney Fitzpatrick has condemned an arson attack on a restaurant in Bushmills which took place in the early hours of Friday morning. The restaurant is owned by a Bulgarian man whose house was attacked last month. Cllr Fitzpatrick said: “I condemn this despicable attack. This type of incident does absolutely nothing for […]
Alliance Leader David Ford is today attending a vigil at Belfast City Hall to protest against the sham elections and the violence in Zimbabwe. The vigil is taking place at 1pm today and David Ford said Mugabe needs step down as President to free Zimbabwe from terror and torture. Alliance established links with Morgan Tsvangirai’s […]
Alliance Party Chair, Cllr Michael Long, a member of the Dundonald Village Fairtrade Steering Group, has raised the issue of Fairtrade goods at a school assembly at Brooklands Primary School for pupils from p4 to p7. Cllr Long also presented the school with some Fairtrade footballs to help raise awareness of the issue. Castlereagh Councillor […]
Alliance Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has backed Catholic bishops’ calls for more clarity on Caitríona Ruane’s post 11-plus strategy. He said that the longer the confusion continued, the less chance there is of a suitable solution being found. The Bishop’s statement was published in the Irish News this morning. Trevor Lunn MLA said: “I […]
Alliance Party West Tyrone representative Michael Bower has slammed those responsible for an arson attack on an Omagh centre for people with learning disabilities on Tuesday night. Michael Bower said: “The Omagh centre provides an invaluable service to over 60 people with severe learning disabilities in the area, as well as to their families. It […]
East Londonderry Alliance Representative Cllr Barney Fitzpatrick has condemned an arson attack in Portrush in which a man died. The attack took place on a house in Causeway Street in the town in the early hours of this morning. Coleraine Councilllor Barney Fitzpatrick said: “I am appalled at this attack. The authorities will be carrying […]
Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has hit out at the sham cultural war that is breaking out between the DUP and Sinn Fein saying they should both be focussing on areas of real need, not constantly arguing about Irish language issues. Kieran McCarthy MLA stated: “The DUP and Sinn Fein are trying to start […]