Author: Kate Livingston

Alliance representatives have criticised a masked Easter Parade which saw petrol bombs thrown at police as sinister and completely wrong.

John Blair and Councillor Rachael Ferguson spoke out after the incident came on the third anniversary of the death of journalist Lyra McKee, a move they termed as shocking.

John Blair said: “There is nothing respectful or commemorative about violent attacks on Police officers, bringing further threat and fear to local communities.

“There is no place on our streets for paramilitary displays. Today’s incident was sinister and wrong on every level and offends right across out community. I am thinking of Lyra McKee, her family and her friends.”

Councillor Rachael Ferguson added: “The footage today from the city cemetery is simply shocking. On the anniversary of Lyra’s murder, have we not learned anything? I want our children to grow up in peace and my solidarity is with the PSNI coming under attack and with the families of Creggan who just want peace and to feel safe.”

Anyone with information should contact the PSNI on101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Alliance Policing Board member John Blair has welcomed safety equipment being sent from the PSNI to Ukraine to support the humanitarian effort in the war-torn region.

The police will send a surplus of 300 ballistic vests and 50 ballistic helmets to the country after a request from the National Police Coordination Centre to support those engaged in humanitarian activities there.

“I welcome this move, after I pursued it at the last meeting of the Policing Board,” said South Antrim Assembly candidate Mr Blair.

“We have all been sending our best wishes and support to the people of Ukraine over the past weeks, so I am pleased to see this practical help, to supplement clothes and other equipment recently given to the brave people of Ukraine.

“It is vital we continue to show our support for their stance in the face of blatant Russian aggression and I hope this PSNI equipment will give protection to those helping them.”

Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said a business plan update from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) amounts to nothing short of “environmental failure”.

Speaking after the update, which was presented to the AERA Committee today, the South Antrim MLA said the report was a catalogue of failures.

“Included in this list of shortcomings is the publication of the first overarching environment strategy for Northern Ireland. The report stated in the absence of Executive approval, it will not be possible to publish the final strategy after March 31,” said Mr Blair

“This shortcoming is further compounded by delivery failure on forestation targets, green growth collaboration between departments and yet further delay on the long awaited marine plan. It appears the DUP Minister, in final few weeks of the Assembly, has been more preoccupied by creating drama and disruption, than achieving targets outlined in his Department’s business plan.”

“The failure to deliver the green growth strategy, which was in early stages of relatively new strategy, and the publication of a climate action plan are also casualties of a distracted Minister who has failed to deliver on the issues people are really concerned about.

“I have requested an urgent update from the Minister and incoming Permanent Secretary on these failings.”

Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said Northern Ireland remains the “exception to ambition” when it comes to net-zero climate legislation.

The South Antrim MLA was speaking following the final stage of the Climate Change Bill in the Assembly. Mr Blair said while he was pleased Northern Ireland was no longer the only European region without legislation on climate action, he disappointed the targets had not been more ambitious.

“I am disappointed the Assembly backtracked on its decision to deliver net-zero climate legislation, and instead voted to separate methane emissions, largely associated with the agricultural sector, from the overall target of the Bill,” he said.

“In protecting one strand of one industry, we stand to lose enormous economic and social opportunities and confine Northern Ireland to the carbon outlier of Europe.

“The debate of delivering climate change legislation should never have been the agriculture sector versus the environmental sector. Instead, the debate should have been about every person, every sector, every government playing their part in mitigating the impacts of climate legislation.

“We should not have limited our ambition for climate action.”

The rise in cost of a single use plastic bag could put some people under mounting pressure in the midst of a pandemic and cost of living crisis, Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said.

The South Antrim MLA was speaking during an Assembly debate on the issue. Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced the charge would increase again, to 25p from April, with all bags priced at £5 or less subject to the levy, no matter the material they’re made from.

“Because of the actions of the UK Government and other factors, people across the UK are facing a cost of living nightmare,” said Mr Blair.

“With a rise in national insurance and the biggest increase in the price of domestic energy since records began, raising the cost of single use carrier bags by now four times will only add to the pressures faced by many.

“Whilst I hope the price increase will lead to significant success in reducing litter, protecting wildlife and influencing consumer behaviour, it is important steps are introduced to support those under mounting financial pressure, as the cost of living crisis threatens to grow.”