Author: DavidReid

Alliance spokesperson on the environment, John Blair MLA, has welcomed the commitment from the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to increase the number of trees planted in Northern Ireland.

John Blair said: “There is a global focus on the environment and the climate emergency we are all facing. There are many ways we can help to fight this emergency and the planting of trees is one of the most straightforward, but effective.

“Across Northern Ireland we have only around 8% of our area in woodland. This is one of the lowest in Europe and I believe we urgently need to increase this. I welcome the commitment the Minister gave to me in the Assembly Chamber that he supports the planting of additional trees to help improve our environment. Around 2 million trees are planted in Northern Ireland each year and I would urge the Minister to provide the resources to increase this substantially.”

There is a need for a restored Assembly to help address the shortfall in police officers after Brexit, Alliance Policing Board member John Blair MLA has said.

The South Antrim MLA was speaking after a meeting of the Board, during which he quizzed Chief Constable Simon Byrne around policing needs to cope with potential incidents relating to Brexit. The Chief Constable said while no intelligence suggested unrest was likely, extra officers may have to be drafted in from other parts of the UK for support.

“This is an incredibly serious issue and while I welcome the Chief Constable’s comments around no specific intelligence relating to potential unrest following Brexit, it is still concerned to hear the PSNI may not have enough officers to ensure a minimum of disruption for the public,” said Mr Blair.

“Given Brexit is a folly being pursued by the UK Government, the Government now has a responsibility to step in and help mitigate the problems it will cause, by backing the Chief Constable’s financial asks and ensuring he has the resources to carry out his job.

“There is no such thing as a good or sensible Brexit but if it happens, a restored Assembly can play a major role in helping address the shortfall in officers the PSNI will likely experience.”

Antrim Town Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly has expressed his anger and disgust at those who carried out the robbery of a double cash machine at the Tesco store in Antrim.

Councillor Kelly said: “It beggars belief what criminals will do next. I like many others use those cash machines regularly. We have lost a few machines in the town centre at the banks and the machines at Tesco are convenient as there is available parking there. The loss of these machines, particularly at this time of year, will have a negative impact on many in our town.

“I would congratulate the police on the recovery of the machine and I hope a replacement will be in place soon.

“Those responsible need to catch themselves on and stop stealing from the rest of us. They do not care about the damage they cause to premises or inconvenience to the public. It is also important that diggers, which are often used in these crimes, are secured overnight. Those responsible need to be caught and brought before the courts and I would ask anyone with information to contact the PSNI immediately.”

Alliance South Antrim Westminster candidate John Blair has pledged his party’s commitment to dealing with the climate emergency.

Mr Blair was speaking as global political leaders met in Madrid for the COP25 meeting on climate change, with the aim for countries to increase commitments to cut emissions.

“There is no doubt the climate emergency is not only UK-wide but worldwide, therefore we need an international collaborative approach to tackling it. That’s why the UK is better remaining within the EU, to help mitigate the impact in a joined-up way.
“Only days ago, we saw young people in Belfast and many other cities take to the streets to lead the campaign to force immediate action from governments on every continent. That follows the work of groups such as Extinction Rebellion in highlighting this global issue. They are all demanding better from their elected representatives, who have the power to save our planet.

“Now, we need those elected representatives to respond. Not only to climate change, but to climate justice, as there is a massive divide between those who live in the developed world and those in under-developed countries.

“Alliance has committed in our manifesto if elected to Westminster we will support a global climate change fund to help poorer countries mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and also seek the formation of a Department for Climate and Natural Resources to lead the fight to save our planet. As the most radical local party on climate change, we would bring forward legislation to make the UK carbon neutral by 2030, and calling a UK-wide climate emergency, while looking to establish a citizens’ assembly to work with the Government to achieve these goals.
“The young people of the world have challenged politicians to save the planet for future generations. I and my Alliance colleagues are working hard to accept that challenge.”

Alliance Newtownabbey Councillor Tom Campbell has hit out at the Department for Infrastructure (DFI), after it confirmed it intends to remove faulty streetlights on unadopted roads rather than repairing them.

Councillor Campbell was speaking after a presentation to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council by the DFI, in which he quizzed them over the issue of the Department not carrying out repairs to faulty streetlights.

“A number of constituents have approached me recently concerned about this apparent practice by the DFI – they have complained about streetlights not working and instead of repairing and replacing them, DFI removes them entirely and tarmacs over the area because it’s a road not adopted by the Department.

“I asked directly during this presentation and it was confirmed. That is a concerning position to have, given the amount of unadopted roads across Northern Ireland, particularly in more rural areas and in new developments. As an elected representative, I am apprehensive now to report faulty streetlights in case they end up disappearing.

“I have now written to the Secretary of State to ask him to review this policy, as it appears to have been taken without political direction. We are in a situation now where one street in an area may have its streetlights repaired and another nearby street is at the risk of having them removed entirely.”