Scots Guard releases are "insensitive": Alliance

By
2 September 1998
Press

Gerry Lynch, Chairperson of North Belfast Alliance, has branded the
Secretary of State’s Handling of the release of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
as ‘grossly insensitive’.

Gerry said:

“The early release of prisoners is never easy, but to release these men so
close to the anniversary of Mr McBride’s death is grossly insensitive. The
insufficient notice given to the McBride family about the releases raises
very serious questions about both the NIO and the Secretary of State’s
handling of this case.

“71% of people in Northern Ireland backed the Good Friday Agreement, which
included prisoner releases. In that context the release of Messrs Wright
and Fisher was essential. However, their convictions remain, and it would
be deeply worrying if people convicted of murder were allowed to remain
serving with the armed forces.”

Dickson heralds American visit as "great success"

By
11 August 1998
Press

ALDERMAN Stewart Dickson has described his recent visit to the American states of Florida and New Hampshire as a “great success”.

The Alliance Party delegate, accompanied by Councillor David Hillditch and Alderman Jim Brown, jetted off to America on July 24th to attend the prestigious ‘Sister Cities Convention’.

The convention, held in Florida and organised to highlight the positive aspects of towns and cities from around the world, featured workshops and lectures on a wide range of issues.

Tourism, economics, education, politics, cross-party relations and the environment were just some of the issues discussed at the convention.

Although the convention was “extremely important” to the Carrickfergus team, Mr. Dickson also described his meeting with representatives in the New Hampshire state of Portsmouth as “equally important”.

The Carrickfergus councillors spent the first week in Florida before embarking on their trip to Portsmouth where they discussed plans to organise transatlantic educational visits and websites.

Councillor Dickson, who returned from the visit last weekend, is now hoping to continue with the contact they established in Portsmouth.

“After the recent spate of trouble in the town, it was good to see something positive happening for Carrickfergus,” said the Alliance man.

“The convention enabled us to develop links with other cities and many of the delegates were impressed with what Carrickfergus had to offer.

“We were intending – despite the recent negative images of Carrickfergus – to set the record straight and inform the Americans of the positive aspects of our town.

“The convention was a great way of understanding other towns, cities and countries and I hope we can put our experience to good use,” added Alderman Dickson.

But Alderman Dickson, who narrowly missed out on a seat on the Northern Ireland shadow assembly, said the visit to Portsmouth would also stand as one of the “highlights” of the visit.

He said: “The convention we attended was a memorable experience – but so too was our visit to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

“Portsmouth is the sister city of Carrickfergus and many of the delegates we met were determined to launch various projects between the two towns.

“An educational visit has been planned for next year but delegates from Portsmouth are also keen to establish a web-site between the two towns.

“Our visit to Portsmouth made front page news and we were also on television. Overall, the visit was a tremendous success and I hope that Carrickfergus is now seen in a better light.”

Alliance praises conservation volunteers

By
11 August 1998
Press

MEMBERS of the Conservation Volunteers should be commended by Carrickfergus Borough Council for their refurbishment work along the Blackhead Path, according to a local councillor.

The Alliance Party’s Robin Cavan, who is a councillor for the Kilroot area of the borough, made the claim after visiting the historic path last weekend.

He described the work by the volunteers as “tremendous” and said the council should take “immediate steps” to honour the group’s efforts.

Assisted by a £5,000 grant from Carrickfergus Borough Council, the conservationists have worked on the path’s ‘golden stairs’ and have constructed a drainage channel to cope with outbreaks of heavy rain.

Councillor Cavan, who is a constant visitor to the path, also said the work carried out by the volunteers will be a “major boost” to walkers and ramblers in across East Antrim.

“After visiting the path last weekend, and viewing the work that was carried out by the conservation volunteers, I think it is only proper that the local council should commend the group,” said Mr. Cavan.

“The money they received from the council has been put to good use and they have worked tirelessly to refurbish the path.

“Their work means that all types of people will be able to enjoy the path and I hope that people do use it because it has a lot to offer.

“It is a vital part of the borough’s tourist industry and the walk along the path is both pleasurable and enjoyable for people of all ages,” he added.

Deafening silence from Irish Government on prisoner release call: McGarry

By
11 August 1998
Press

THE President of the Alliance Party, Dr. Philip McGarry has called on the Irish Government to confirm its commitment to releasing – by the year 2000 – paramilitary prisoners convicted of the murders of members of the Garda.

Dr. McGarry said that failure to do so would be an act of “bad faith”, which would indicate an unwillingness to support fully the Good Friday Agreement.

The Alliance President said: “Last week the Irish Government ordered the release of a member of the IRA who had been convicted of attempting to murder a policeman in England in 1992,” said Dr. McGarry.

“This decision, naturally enough, has caused distress to the relatives of the murdered police officer and illustrates clearly the sensitive nature of the early release of prisoners.

“Last Friday I called upon the Irish Government to confirm that those who had murdered members of the Garda would be released, as set out in the Good Friday Agreement, by June 2000. My call has been met with a deafening silence.

“I felt that it was important to do this in view of the fact that the Garda Representatives Association assertion that those convicted of the murder of Garda Hand in 1984 should not be released. This comes after the widespread speculation that if people are convicted of the 1996 murder of Gerry McCabe in Limerick they will not be released.

“This would clearly be an intolerable act of bad faith by the Irish government and would be an unacceptable breach of the Good Friday Agreement which has been endorsed overwhelmingly by the people of Ireland. The only inference that could be drawn from the failure to release such prisoners is that the Irish government is not committed to equality of treatment and fairness for all.

“I repeat my call to the Minister for Justice to make it crystal clear that those who have been convicted of the murders of members of the Garda on behalf of the IRA will all be released by June 2OOO,” added the Alliance Party President.

Rice urges council to improve waste management programme

By
3 August 1998
Press

THE Alliance Party’s environment spokesperson has called on Castlereagh Borough Council to launch a “modern” waste management and recycling programme.

Councillor Geraldine Rice, who is the vice-chair of her council’s technical services committee, made the claim after receiving a flood of complaints about the lack of waste disposal facilities in the borough.

She said that, for Castlereagh to maintain its status as one of Northern Ireland’s premier boroughs, it was essential for the council to address the issue with the “utmost attention”.

“Pollution and waste are aspects of a global problem but they are very relevant to the borough of Castlereagh,” explained the Alliance councillor.

“We all know that the issue of pollution is a major problem in Northern Ireland but we must all do our best to keep our local areas clean.

“That’s why I have called on my local council to launch a modern waste disposal and recycling programme. We may have a large landfill site in the borough but it is clear that there is much room for improvement.

“I can’t understand why Castlereagh council, which claims to be a premier borough, has not introduced a sufficient waste management and recycling programme.

“But I think that part of this is down to the cost of introducing a comprehensive recycling and recovery programme.

“We all know that the government taxes on landfill sites will inevitably make them much more costly and we also know that the government are committed to reducing landfill sites.

“And I would also hope that my fellow councillors support my proposals to launch a new waste management and recycling programme,” added Mrs. Rice.

Bombers must not be allowed to succeed: Bell

By
3 August 1998
Press

A LEADING member of the Alliance Party has condemned whoever was responsible for last Saturday’s bomb blast in Banbridge.

And North Down assembly member Eileen Bell, who is the Alliance Party’s Chairperson, also urged politicians to realise that peace would not happen “overnight”.

Mrs. Bell said:

“I am appalled at the actions of the thugs who carried out this awful attack in Banbridge last Saturday. When will they realise that their actions serve no purpose at all?

“We must recognise that there are those who are determined to wreck the Good Friday agreement and the new assembly – but they must not be allowed to succeed.

“And now that we have a chance of working together – we must work even harder to ensure that the nightmare of the last 30 years does not happen again.

“We must all face with realism the task that we now have and we must vigorously oppose those who are determined to carry out such appalling acts of terrorism.

“The agreement and the assembly is the only chance that we have of moving forward and I would urge all politicians do everything in their power to persuade those who are committed to violence to pursue the path of peace and democracy.”

Bell urges Government to tackle "poverty in retirement" problem

By
31 July 1998
Press

A LEADING member of the Alliance Party has called on the Government to introduce measures to combat what, she says is, the “alarming increase” of women who live in poverty after retirement.

Councillor Eileen Bell, who is a North Down shadow assembly member, made the claim after an Equal Opportunities Commission report revealed that thousands of retired women across Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom were living in poverty.

The shadow assemblywoman, in welcoming the report, said it was now time for the government to introduce “significant” pension schemes for women working in low-paid and part-time jobs.

And Mrs. Bell, who is the Alliance Party’s spokesperson on women’s issues, said the government should also make moves to incorporate organisations such as the EOC into the equality commission of Northern Ireland.

“I welcome the report from the EOC and I hope it encourages the government to introduce measures to combat this terrible problem,” said the Alliance Party chairperson.

“It is disgraceful that women – just because they are in part-time or low paid jobs – cannot look forward to their retirement. There is no reason why they should be forced to live a life of poverty after working for so long.

“The report released by the EOC underlines the fact that there is an urgent need for the government to incorporate the policies of various equality organisations.

“Reports like the one released by the EOC are a constant reminder of the problems which women face in the latter stages of the 20th century and this must not be allowed to continue.

“I think that now is the time for the government to help retired women who are living in poverty. All women have a democratic right to look forward to their retirement,” added Mrs. Bell.

Dow hits out at Board's "Nazi" tactics

By
31 July 1998
Press

PLANS by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board to add fluoride to water supplies in Holywood has been described by a Belfast City councillor as a form of “nazism”.

And the Alliance Party’s Danny Dow has said that if the plans get the go-ahead, it will result in a process of “mass medication” for the people of Holywood.

A decision on the proposals will be made on August 11th after EHSSB chiefs meet to discuss the issue at their headquarters in Linenhall Street, Belfast.

But Mr. Dow, who has teamed up with leading members from the National Pure Water Association to highlight the “dangers” of fluoride, believes the plans will be approved.

The Alliance councillor wants the decision to be made by members of the new shadow assembly when it reconvenes in September.

He says the “undemocratic” nature of the board is evident by its decision to make an announcement on the proposal before the next assembly meeting.

“If this decision gets the go-ahead, it will be inflicted upon the people of Holywood who will ultimately have no say in the matter,” explained the Alliance man.

“The decision must be democratic and it must be taken by locally elected representatives – not by members of the board who don’t represent the people of Holywood.

“Even Lord Dubs has said that plans to add fluoride to water supplies should be taken by members of the new assembly.

“Research has shown us the dangers of fluoride in water supplies and I believe that the people of Holywood are also against the plans.

“We will be doing our best to oppose the plans and we will be picketing outside the board’s headquarters on August 11th. They must not be allowed to get away with this proposal and I would be calling on the people of Holywood to give us their full support,” he added.

Close reflects on American visit

By
28 July 1998
Press

AS details of the US President’s second visit to Ireland emerged last week, the Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party was preparing to visit one of Mr. Clinton’s favourite states.

For Lisburn councillor Seamus Close, accompanied by fellow councillor Richard Good and South Down Alliance representative Dr. Anne-Marie Cunningham, jetted off to Boston’s Harvard University on July 18 to participate in a week long conference on conflict resolution.

The conference – entitled ‘The New Political Architecture: A Workshop for Leaders from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain’ – was organised by the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Foundation for Civil Society.

And apart from the attendance of Mr. Close, the Lagan Valley constituency was also represented by Democratic Unionist Party councillor Edwin Poots and the Ulster Democratic Party’s Gary McMichael.

A wide range of issues associated with the conflict in Northern Ireland – which Mr. Close described as “extremely useful” – were discussed at length during a series of workshop sessions, lectures and seminars.

However, although the conference was in “no way” linked to the workings of the new shadow assembly, Mr. Close said it was good to see a “great level of enthusiasm” from the Northern Ireland politicians.

“I think that by moving our politicians away from the political cauldron of Northern Ireland – and into a different political environment – we have the opportunity to recognise each other as human beings,” explained the shadow assemblyman.

“Even though my visit to Harvard was not connected to the workings of the new assembly, it was still good to see so many of our politicians who, I believe, were genuinely interested in what the conference had to offer.

“We met with political activists from around the world and I believe we gained some valuable experiences that we can use in relation to our own situation.

“I was very pleased with the way things went at Harvard and I welcome any attempts to address the issue of conflict resolution in Northern Ireland,” he added.

Orange Order has limited credibility: McGarry

By
28 July 1998
Press

A LEADING member of the Alliance Party has accused the Orange Order of having “limited credibility” after its refusal to talk to residents groups.

Dr. Philip McGarry – who is the President of the Alliance Party – made the claim after a statement released by the Orange Order confirmed its “unwillingness” to talk to residents groups.

The Alliance man said the Orange Order had “no legitimate reasons” for opposing direct talks with residents groups after its recent meetings with convicted killers during the Drumcree stand-off.

“The Orange Order gives the impression that it refuses to talk to local residents as a matter of fundamental principle,” said Dr. McGarry.

“But this argument has very little credibility as Orange leaders have already met with convicted killer Kenny McClinton and two years ago at Drumcree they were happy to talk with the late Billy Wright of the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

“The Orange Order’s position is further weakened by its persistent breach of law over the last few weeks in refusing to call upon its members to go home and accept the lawful decision of the Parades Commission.

“The fact that the protest at Drumcree was used a base for a gunman to shoot at the security forces, for a nail-bomber to cause injuries (to the great satisfaction of the crowd), and for other violent acts prevents any reasonable person from understanding the Order’s self proclaimed opposition to people because of alleged involvement in violence.

“Given recent events, there is no alternative and no reasons why the Orange Order cannot enter into direct contact with local residents groups who live along contentious parade routes,” added the former Belfast City councillor.