Author: Kate Livingston

Alliance South Antrim MLA John Blair has expressed his condolences after the passing of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor, Paul Hamill.

Mr Hamill, a former mayor of the borough, died aged 46 after contracting COVID-19

“The news Paul Hamill passed away is terribly sad and a great shock,” said Mr Blair.

“Paul so easily and naturally set aside political differences to work with everyone in Council and will be greatly missed. My sincere sympathy goes out to his family, friends and DUP colleagues.

“I knew first-hand his dedication to the community, and I will forever remember the great effort he made as Mayor when I had children from the Chernobyl region visiting host families in the borough. This is only one example of the good work he did.”

Tackling the growing climate emergency must be on the agenda, Alliance MLA John Blair has said, as he welcomed organisers of a climate change demonstration at Stormont on Monday.

Speaking after he addressed the crowd, Mr Blair – the Alliance Party’s Environment spokesperson – said the timely event put a focus on the need for action at the start of the new Assembly term.

He added: “I firstly want to thank the organisers who worked hard to make sure the looming threat from climate change is front and centre as the Assembly returns to business.

“Climate change is not slowing down – so while we continue to weather the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot lose sight of the lessons this has taught us, namely fast action against threats is essential, with any delay costly.

“We need a green recovery with huge investment and urgent, radical changes to our economy – this radical change it isn’t just sensible, it is now critical. A green recovery will remain at the forefront of Alliance’s political agenda for decades to come, and we were delighted to co-sponsor the Climate Change Bill.

“Politicians working together were making progress towards tackling the climate emergency, for the good of our people and our future, and the latest DUP stunt of threatening to collapse the Assembly is potentially damaging to the prospect of addressing these outstanding climate commitments.

“We are past the point of talking. We need action now.”

Alliance MLA John Blair has said the recommendations within the South Armagh Policing Review are not without future challenges.

Mr Blair, the Alliance Party’s representative on the Police Board, was speaking after further details had been revealed on Tuesday morning, which included wide-ranging ideas for future operations.

He added: “This remains a challenging situation which many will want to have input on, but we must ensure this process, which aims to improve delivery of policing services, is allowed to continue unhampered by additional scrutiny.

“We have to ensure engagement continues. What has happened to date is welcome and will help to shape the final outcome. This engagement must continue to take place through the proper channels and that place for discussion is the Policing Board and with the community.”

The climate crisis is no longer a looming threat – it’s here and it’s happening now. Yet we prevaricate and this refusal to act at the pace the science demands is deadly, Alliance MLA John Blair has said.

He added: “In 2020, extreme weather events uprooted 30.7 million people from their homes, the highest figure in a decade, according to new analysis from the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).

“In recent weeks, we have witnessed disastrous floods in Germany, Belguim and Italy that have had a devastating impact on people’s lives. We’ve seen wildfires razing Turkey and spread across southern Europe.

“Climate experts are clear: these recent events mark the end of a stable climate, we must step up our efforts to minimise the damage caused by extreme weather.

“We have learned many lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, but a distressing lesson has been that high impact threats must be acted upon in a timely fashion and delay is costly. We need a green recovery with huge investment and urgent, radical changes to our economy – this radical change it isn’t just sensible, it’s now critical.”

Carnmoney swimmer Danielle Hill has arrived back home after her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

Local Alliance Party representatives, John Blair MLA, Alderman Julian McGrath and Councillor Julie Gilmore welcomed the Olympian home and offer their congratulations.

South Antrim MLA, John Blair said: “The local Alliance Party team are incredibly proud of Danielle and her achievements. She is an inspiration for our local community.”

Glengormley Councillor, Alderman Julian McGrath said: “It was a real privilege to meet our local Olympian, Danielle Hill. The commitment, hard work and dedication to reach the Olympics cannot be underestimated. Danielle has done herself, her family, her club and the country proud. She is both humble and driven and is an inspiration to young sportswomen and sportsmen across the country.

He added: “I wish her the very best in upcoming events and in her preparations for the Commonwealth Games.”

Threemilewater Councillor, Julie Gilmore added: “It was lovely to meet Danielle and hear about her remarkable career so far, I am looking forward to seeing what such an inspirational young woman goes on to do next.”