Alliance chief whip Kieran McCarthy has slammed reports that BT is charging customers four and a half pounds per quarter to those customers who do not pay their bills in a certain way. Customers who do not pay by direct debit are being charged this extra amount as direct debit is the preferred way that […]
The Mayor of North Down, Alliance Councillor and local MLA Stephen Farry, has condemned the wanton violence that occurred in the Kilcooley Estate in Bangor on Wednesday evening, in the aftermath of police searches in the area. Stephen Farry stated: “This wanton violence is completely unacceptable. People will be shocked and appalled over what has […]
Alliance health spokesperson Kieran McCarthy has declared his shock over the findings of a recent report of drug use amongst teenagers. The report found that teenage drug use had increased with children as young as eleven taking harmful drugs such as cannabis. The report also found that the damaging consequences of drug abuse such as […]
Alliance Higher Education Spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has issued a challenge to ease the burden of debt placed on local students by calling on the Executive to abolish tuition and top-up fees and take the sting out of student loan repayments. The South Belfast MLA stated: “I am calling on the Executive must act to […]
Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has called for the creation of more social housing following the shocking news that local landlords receive 140 million pounds in housing benefits from government every year. He stated that this cash should when possible be ploughed back into the system instead of lining the pockets of already wealthy […]
Alliance Leader David Ford has criticized the Executive for failing to keep to their word after failing to appoint a new Victims’ Commissioner before the summer recess and asked when they intend to make the appointment. First Minister Ian Paisley had stated that the Executive would appoint the new Commissioner before the Assembly and the […]
Alliance Economy Spokesperson Seán Neeson MLA has welcomed plans to create almost 150 high value jobs at Bank of Ireland, stating that expansion in the financial services sector is what is need to transform our local economy. He stated that high value finance posts will help us move away from dependence on public sector jobs. […]
Alliance Party Finance Spokesperson Dr Stephen Farry MLA has rejected proposals presented to the British Government for lowering the minimum wage in different parts of the UK. He stressed that this move would do little to enhance the competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy. Stephen Farry stated: “There is no future for Northern Ireland in […]
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has backed news that Aer Lingus will be flying into Belfast International Airport from August. The airline company will be operating four flights to and from Heathrow every day. The South Antrim MLA said: “This Aer Lingus announcement is very good news, particularly for business travelers. “These new flights are […]
Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has stated that the Health Minister must ensure that hygiene is a priority within the health service following the temporary closure of the Intensive care Unit at Belfast City Hospital after two patients were found to have a bacterial infection. The unit will re-open tomorrow with a deep clean […]