The Alliance Leader Lord Alderdice has welcomed today’s meeting between the speaker of the House of Commons and Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness.

John Alderdice said:

“We are living through a period of significant and hopefully positive change in the politics of these islands and it may be that both Sinn Fein and Parliament are finding it difficult to know how to deal with these changes.

“On one hand Provisional Sinn Fein, which have had so much given to it in recent times, is finding it hard to understand that they must conform to democracy as well as making demands of it. They have two representatives in a Parliament of almost two thousand and yet are demanding special privileges for themselves. The incessant demands for special attention for Sinn Fein are also evident in other areas.

“At the same time Parliament is not finding it easy to deal with Sinn Fein representatives who instead of boycotting, want to participate, and the speaker is placed in a very awkward position by the speed of these changes. I trust that more progress and more positive developments on all sides will lead to a resolution of this problem and a deepening and strengthening of democracy and the involvement of all sections of the community.”

South Antrim Alliance Councillor Brian McConnell has urged the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company to declare their position in relation to Antrim’s Ulster Bar site.

Councillor McConnell, who tabled a series of questions to Environment Minister Lord Dubs at a special Council meeting last Wednesday, said it was necessary for the “relevant parties” to outline their plans for the area.

Mr. McConnell added that the DoE should re-consider the proposed construction of a modern bus station by initiating a development to meet the “commercial and retail” needs of the people of Antrim.

Councillor McConnell said: “We had a good and constructive meeting with Lord Dubs but I want to know where the DoE stands in relation to the development of the old Ulster Bar site.

“It must be developed in such a way as to facilitate the demands of the people of Antrim. And I think the minister should sit down with the DoE and look at the original concept once again.

“Many people may think that the construction of a modern bus station is a good idea. However, equally important is the need for the DoE and Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company to explore other avenues of thought.

“The site is an eye-sore and it’s essential for the development to proceed without any hindrance. We can’t allow this site to fester any longer. The public must be made aware about the current state of play of this site.

Delivery vehicles who visit Antrim’s commercial heartland should be restricted to different times of the day, South Antrim Alliance Councillor Brian McConnell has claimed.

Councillor McConnell, who was speaking at an Antrim Borough Council meeting with Environment Minister Lord Dubs last Wednesday, proposed a 10.30am delivery time on all goods vehicles visiting the town centre.

Mr. McConnell welcomed the Environment’s Minister’s views on public transport in Antrim, but said that shoppers were becoming increasingly concerned with the influx of heavy goods vehicles.

Councillor McConnell said: “I think the Minister should use his influence and persuade the Department of the Environment to look closely at the issue of public transport – particularly in relation to Antrim Town centre.

“We have a huge lorries in the town centre every day and more and more motorists are finding it increasingly difficult to gain access to the town – especially the town’s disabled drivers.

“I think the town needs support on this issue from the Minister and I don’t think it’s unrealistic for the DoE to allocate certain time limits for the delivery of retail and commercial goods.

“Overall, I believe this step would be a major boost to Antrim’s town centre and public transport system.”