Alliance calls for student funding review
14 August 2002
On the eve of this years A-level results Alliance Youth Affairs Spokesperson Michael Long has called on the Minister for Education and Learning Carmel Hanna to look again at the issue of student finance and scrap tuition fees.
The call was made in a week through in which changes in England will result in Northern Ireland students facing amongst the worst levels of financial support in these islands. At the same time a NatWest Survey has revealed that half of those who have not pursued a University career did not do so because of fears of acquiring huge financial debt.
Councillor Long said:
“At a time when potential students are considering their options its clear that local students deserve a better deal. This week even the SDLP’s Education Spokesperson, Tommy Gallagher has called for tuition fees to be scrapped, and described existing provision as not being realistic. Surely it is now up to his party colleague Carmel Hanna to act and Alliance is calling for tuition fees to be scrapped immediately.
“The NatWest survey again underlines the fact that fear of acquiring debts is deterring potential students. Alliance firmly believes that a fairer deal for students is the only way to attract more people from disadvantaged groups and low income backgrounds.
“It is time that Carmel Hanna went back to the drawing board as her current policy would definitely not achieve pass grades from local students.”
ENDS
14 August 2002
28 March 2002
The case for meaningful devolution
The case for meaningful devolution
Seamus Close
28 March 2002
With a Talks Agreement now within sight despite all the hurdles, there is every chance that devolved government will return to Northern Ireland within the near future.
This will carry enormous implications for how this region is governed. Alliance firmly believes that the new Assembly must have meaningful legislative powers, including the ability to vary tax, in addition to the necessary administrative powers.
Alliance believes that decisions should be taken as close to the people affected as possible. Democratically accountable local politicians can be much more sensitive to the needs of a region than a distant national government.
We have had devolution before in Northern Ireland. Stormont failed, not because devolution was in itself wrong, but because only one section of our community had access to power and responsibility. Any new Assembly will have power-sharing at its core.
Our choice
The essential choice we face in Northern Ireland is between on the one hand only administrative powers or on the other hand full legislative powers.
Under the first, the new Assembly would do little more than implement more sensitively decisions that have been taken elsewhere. Our Assembly would be little more than a glorified District Council.
In the latter, we would be able to directly influence the future of their region. Certain responsibilities would remain with Westminster. However, areas such as Health, Education, Agriculture, Economic Development, the Environment, Finance and Personnel, and possibly policing would be responsibilities of the Assembly. Our politicians would not only take administrative decisions, but have the power to pass legislation that better reflects the wishes of the local population.
The past
It is worth recalling what the current system of Direct Rule entails. Whenever Stormont was abolished, Northern Ireland did not revert back to being ruled like any other part of the United Kingdom.
Instead, decisions are taken by unaccountable government ministers. Legislation is passed through "Orders in Council" rather than normal parliamentary procedures. In a sense, there always has been the presumption that devolved powers would be restored to Northern Ireland.
Under 'direct rule', the British Government has done many good things for Northern Ireland. They have implemented many reforms necessary to take account of a divided society and have continued to seek a political agreement.
But by their very nature, the Government takes an overall national perspective to their decisions. This does not always work to our advantage in Northern Ireland.
The nation-state is losing some of its dominance within a globalising world. National governments can no longer can provide the answers to all of society’s problems. Certain functions are increasingly exercised at the European or international level. At the same time, many other powers are increasingly being devolved down to regional governments.
Regional competition
With regional government becoming the norm in both UK and the rest of Europe, Northern Ireland is going to be in competition with other regions, particularly both Scotland and Wales.
The forthcoming political agreement will address new North-South arrangements. Already the Republic of Ireland has considerable advantages over Northern Ireland. For example, it is able to offer incentives to investors based on tax rates and stability, while Northern Ireland can only compete on the less efficient basis of subsidies.
Relations with the South will include both co-operation but will also feature areas of intense competition. There is a danger that there could be a very uneven relationship between a region on the one hand and an independent state (albeit within the European Union) on the other.
Thus the stronger the powers given to any Northern Ireland Assembly, the more balanced and workable this new relationship will be.
Tax-varying powers
The case for meaningful powers is therefore very strong. However, legislative powers are greatly enhanced with the ability to vary tax. The canny Scots have already voted for these powers to go with their strong version of devolution.
No one is suggesting that Northern Ireland should be left to its support itself. It will still be dependent upon a subvention from the UK Exchequer, just like Scotland, Wales and parts of England. The Government has a duty to ensure parity throughout the UK in areas such as social security benefits.
The ability to vary taxes will allow the preferences of people at a regional level to be more fully respected, they could concentrate resources on the services that are the bigger priorities for them. Do we want to have a superior education system in Northern Ireland? If so are we prepared to consider raising the necessary additional finance? Tax-varying powers gives us this option; it would be up to us to decide whether to use it. Both politicians and people will have a better appreciation of the costs of services, and the difficult decisions involved in allocating scarce resources.
Devolution is not going to be a panacea for every problem in Northern Ireland. But it will allow local people to take on more responsibility for shaping their future.
Seamus Close is Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party.
Seamus Close
28 March 2002
With a Talks Agreement now within sight despite all the hurdles, there is every chance that devolved government will return to Northern Ireland within the near future.
This will carry enormous implications for how this region is governed. Alliance firmly believes that the new Assembly must have meaningful legislative powers, including the ability to vary tax, in addition to the necessary administrative powers.
Alliance believes that decisions should be taken as close to the people affected as possible. Democratically accountable local politicians can be much more sensitive to the needs of a region than a distant national government.
We have had devolution before in Northern Ireland. Stormont failed, not because devolution was in itself wrong, but because only one section of our community had access to power and responsibility. Any new Assembly will have power-sharing at its core.
Our choice
The essential choice we face in Northern Ireland is between on the one hand only administrative powers or on the other hand full legislative powers.
Under the first, the new Assembly would do little more than implement more sensitively decisions that have been taken elsewhere. Our Assembly would be little more than a glorified District Council.
In the latter, we would be able to directly influence the future of their region. Certain responsibilities would remain with Westminster. However, areas such as Health, Education, Agriculture, Economic Development, the Environment, Finance and Personnel, and possibly policing would be responsibilities of the Assembly. Our politicians would not only take administrative decisions, but have the power to pass legislation that better reflects the wishes of the local population.
The past
It is worth recalling what the current system of Direct Rule entails. Whenever Stormont was abolished, Northern Ireland did not revert back to being ruled like any other part of the United Kingdom.
Instead, decisions are taken by unaccountable government ministers. Legislation is passed through "Orders in Council" rather than normal parliamentary procedures. In a sense, there always has been the presumption that devolved powers would be restored to Northern Ireland.
Under 'direct rule', the British Government has done many good things for Northern Ireland. They have implemented many reforms necessary to take account of a divided society and have continued to seek a political agreement.
But by their very nature, the Government takes an overall national perspective to their decisions. This does not always work to our advantage in Northern Ireland.
The nation-state is losing some of its dominance within a globalising world. National governments can no longer can provide the answers to all of society’s problems. Certain functions are increasingly exercised at the European or international level. At the same time, many other powers are increasingly being devolved down to regional governments.
Regional competition
With regional government becoming the norm in both UK and the rest of Europe, Northern Ireland is going to be in competition with other regions, particularly both Scotland and Wales.
The forthcoming political agreement will address new North-South arrangements. Already the Republic of Ireland has considerable advantages over Northern Ireland. For example, it is able to offer incentives to investors based on tax rates and stability, while Northern Ireland can only compete on the less efficient basis of subsidies.
Relations with the South will include both co-operation but will also feature areas of intense competition. There is a danger that there could be a very uneven relationship between a region on the one hand and an independent state (albeit within the European Union) on the other.
Thus the stronger the powers given to any Northern Ireland Assembly, the more balanced and workable this new relationship will be.
Tax-varying powers
The case for meaningful powers is therefore very strong. However, legislative powers are greatly enhanced with the ability to vary tax. The canny Scots have already voted for these powers to go with their strong version of devolution.
No one is suggesting that Northern Ireland should be left to its support itself. It will still be dependent upon a subvention from the UK Exchequer, just like Scotland, Wales and parts of England. The Government has a duty to ensure parity throughout the UK in areas such as social security benefits.
The ability to vary taxes will allow the preferences of people at a regional level to be more fully respected, they could concentrate resources on the services that are the bigger priorities for them. Do we want to have a superior education system in Northern Ireland? If so are we prepared to consider raising the necessary additional finance? Tax-varying powers gives us this option; it would be up to us to decide whether to use it. Both politicians and people will have a better appreciation of the costs of services, and the difficult decisions involved in allocating scarce resources.
Devolution is not going to be a panacea for every problem in Northern Ireland. But it will allow local people to take on more responsibility for shaping their future.
Seamus Close is Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party.
04 May 2001
Belfast murder is major human rights abuse: Farry
Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry has condemned this afternoon’s murder in Belfast City Centre, and on the day of the European Court judgment, asked how many people are going to condemn this abuse of human rights.
Stephen Farry said:
“Once again, a human life has been taken with impunity, this time in broad deadlight in the centre of Belfast.
“Such murders are the greatest abuses of human right possible.
“Today, the news agenda has been dominated by the statement of the judgment of the European Court that the human rights of IRA members on ‘active service’ were abused by the failure of the authorities to properly investigate their deaths.
“What this judgment says that is every citizen, irrespective of their background or conduct, are entitled to have their rights protected - the rule of law must be paramount.
“Yet, how many people are going to speak out about the human rights abuses involved in this brutal murder.”
Stephen Farry said:
“Once again, a human life has been taken with impunity, this time in broad deadlight in the centre of Belfast.
“Such murders are the greatest abuses of human right possible.
“Today, the news agenda has been dominated by the statement of the judgment of the European Court that the human rights of IRA members on ‘active service’ were abused by the failure of the authorities to properly investigate their deaths.
“What this judgment says that is every citizen, irrespective of their background or conduct, are entitled to have their rights protected - the rule of law must be paramount.
“Yet, how many people are going to speak out about the human rights abuses involved in this brutal murder.”
13 November 2000
Alliance opposition to Programme for Government
Alliance Opposition to Programme for Government
13 November 2000
THE Alliance Party will today (Monday) be making serious criticisms of the draft Programme for Government for its failure to address the deep divisions that remain in Northern Ireland, and to promote an agenda of sharing over separation.
The debate on the draft Programme for Government begins in Stormont on Monday.
Speaking in advance of the debate, Alliance Chief Whip, David Ford said:
"Despite the Agreement, the biggest problem in Northern Ireland remains the deep divisions in our society.
"When Alliance launched its Alternative Programme of Government last month, we highlighted a central theme of promoting sharing over separation.
"While the Executive's draft Programme of Government does have many positive policy suggestions, it fundamentally fails to address the divisions in this society - divisions that could ultimately destroy the Agreement if they are not addressed.
"The flowery rhetoric at the beginning of the document belies the reality that there is for instance only one line on integrated education in 85 pages, there is no mention of promoting mixed housing, there is no detailed strategy for improving community relations, no measures to tackle the proliferation of flags and sectarian graffiti on public property, and no plans to appraise policies for their impact on sharing over separation."
"Alliance intends to highlight these deficiencies in today's debate and urges the Executive to correct this major problem."
Notes to editors:
Alliance is the only opposition party to have produced its own alternative to the Executive's document. The following are just some areas which Alliance believes have not been adequately covered in the draft Programme for Government.
Alliance wants all Government policies to be proofed to ensure they promote sharing over separation. The Programme for Government only calls for policies to be 'rural proofed'.
Alliance wants to boost the number of pupils in integrated education to 10 percent by 2010 through the transformation of existing schools. The Government only proposes to relax criteria for new integrated schools.
Alliance has called for the integration of public housing. The Programme for Government merely calls for more home ownership while saying the Executive will look at the existing patterns of housing.
Alliance has called for more funding for community relations projects. The Executive says it is committed to improving community relations - but has few policy proposals.
Alliance wants the Committee of the Centre to investigate the barriers people entering into mixed marriages face. There is no mention of this in the Programme for Government.
Alliance has called for a Children's Commissioner. No mention in Programme for Government.
Alliance has called for action to be taken on the proliferation of illegal flags and graffiti in public spaces. No mention in Programme for Government.
ENDS
13 November 2000
THE Alliance Party will today (Monday) be making serious criticisms of the draft Programme for Government for its failure to address the deep divisions that remain in Northern Ireland, and to promote an agenda of sharing over separation.
The debate on the draft Programme for Government begins in Stormont on Monday.
Speaking in advance of the debate, Alliance Chief Whip, David Ford said:
"Despite the Agreement, the biggest problem in Northern Ireland remains the deep divisions in our society.
"When Alliance launched its Alternative Programme of Government last month, we highlighted a central theme of promoting sharing over separation.
"While the Executive's draft Programme of Government does have many positive policy suggestions, it fundamentally fails to address the divisions in this society - divisions that could ultimately destroy the Agreement if they are not addressed.
"The flowery rhetoric at the beginning of the document belies the reality that there is for instance only one line on integrated education in 85 pages, there is no mention of promoting mixed housing, there is no detailed strategy for improving community relations, no measures to tackle the proliferation of flags and sectarian graffiti on public property, and no plans to appraise policies for their impact on sharing over separation."
"Alliance intends to highlight these deficiencies in today's debate and urges the Executive to correct this major problem."
Notes to editors:
Alliance is the only opposition party to have produced its own alternative to the Executive's document. The following are just some areas which Alliance believes have not been adequately covered in the draft Programme for Government.
Alliance wants all Government policies to be proofed to ensure they promote sharing over separation. The Programme for Government only calls for policies to be 'rural proofed'.
Alliance wants to boost the number of pupils in integrated education to 10 percent by 2010 through the transformation of existing schools. The Government only proposes to relax criteria for new integrated schools.
Alliance has called for the integration of public housing. The Programme for Government merely calls for more home ownership while saying the Executive will look at the existing patterns of housing.
Alliance has called for more funding for community relations projects. The Executive says it is committed to improving community relations - but has few policy proposals.
Alliance wants the Committee of the Centre to investigate the barriers people entering into mixed marriages face. There is no mention of this in the Programme for Government.
Alliance has called for a Children's Commissioner. No mention in Programme for Government.
Alliance has called for action to be taken on the proliferation of illegal flags and graffiti in public spaces. No mention in Programme for Government.
ENDS
17 October 2000
Education change "for the sake of improvement": Bell
Speaking in the Assembly debate on the Gallagher Report, Eileen Bell said:
“This resolution is timely, insofar that we should state, LOUD AND CLEAR, that consultation on this important issue should be as wide, as comprehensive and, of course, as effective as possible.
“We must ensure that all interested parties, from teachers to parent, will be adequately consulted, so that, as far as possible, the most satisfactory outcome is achieved for the good of all the pupils that it will affect.
“Again, I have to say, Mr Speaker, that I find this resolution extremely timely, because of the Press Release which outlined the first stages of the consultation process. The meetings so far planned are to be by invitation only, for school principals and representatives of educational and other related organisations in the field.
“We are told that public meetings will be held by the Review Body when they set up their programme. I await the details of these meetings with great interest, and I trust that they will be both many and widespread, and that they will be held in the very near future !
“There are a great number of parents, with 7, 8 and 9 year- old children, who are fervently hoping that they, and theirs, will not have to deal with the stresses currently endured by P5 and P6 pupils and their families. These parents not only want to attend the meetings, but are entitled to have their say, to have their questions answered and to have their heart-felt concerns met. These are the people who need to be listened to, and to be reassured that, whatever option is finally chosen, it is the best way forward for their children, and indeed, all the children of Northern Ireland.
“We, in the Alliance party, will be looking closely at the record of all-ability integrated schools, as they will show us how a modern comprehensive system might look.
"I am sure that all sections of our community will approach this in a constructive way, because it must be clearly seen to be an all-inclusive real consultation, that is not predetermined at any stage by ‘ experts ‘, but will ensure that we get the education system that our society, our economy, but, most of all, our children deserve.
“Finally, Mr Speaker, it goes without saying that our current system, which brands a large number of our future citizens FAILURES when they have lived, at most, 1/6th of their lives must be radically changed, but it also must be said that we do not want change for the sake of change, but change for the sake of improvement.“
“This resolution is timely, insofar that we should state, LOUD AND CLEAR, that consultation on this important issue should be as wide, as comprehensive and, of course, as effective as possible.
“We must ensure that all interested parties, from teachers to parent, will be adequately consulted, so that, as far as possible, the most satisfactory outcome is achieved for the good of all the pupils that it will affect.
“Again, I have to say, Mr Speaker, that I find this resolution extremely timely, because of the Press Release which outlined the first stages of the consultation process. The meetings so far planned are to be by invitation only, for school principals and representatives of educational and other related organisations in the field.
“We are told that public meetings will be held by the Review Body when they set up their programme. I await the details of these meetings with great interest, and I trust that they will be both many and widespread, and that they will be held in the very near future !
“There are a great number of parents, with 7, 8 and 9 year- old children, who are fervently hoping that they, and theirs, will not have to deal with the stresses currently endured by P5 and P6 pupils and their families. These parents not only want to attend the meetings, but are entitled to have their say, to have their questions answered and to have their heart-felt concerns met. These are the people who need to be listened to, and to be reassured that, whatever option is finally chosen, it is the best way forward for their children, and indeed, all the children of Northern Ireland.
“We, in the Alliance party, will be looking closely at the record of all-ability integrated schools, as they will show us how a modern comprehensive system might look.
"I am sure that all sections of our community will approach this in a constructive way, because it must be clearly seen to be an all-inclusive real consultation, that is not predetermined at any stage by ‘ experts ‘, but will ensure that we get the education system that our society, our economy, but, most of all, our children deserve.
“Finally, Mr Speaker, it goes without saying that our current system, which brands a large number of our future citizens FAILURES when they have lived, at most, 1/6th of their lives must be radically changed, but it also must be said that we do not want change for the sake of change, but change for the sake of improvement.“
24 February 1999
Alliance welcomes Blair move on Euro
Alliance Party spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has welcomed the more positive approach of the British Government towards the Euro, and reiterated the Alliance belief that the earliest possible entry of the UK to the EuroZone in is Northern Ireland’s interest.
Stephen Farry said:
“Alliance supports the UK’s entry into the European Single Currency at the earliest possible opportunity. There are sound economic reasons to justify it, in particular greater stability and increased potential for trade. The arguments against are weak and largely based on out-moded attitudes towards sovereignty.
“Northern Ireland’s place in the Euro-Zone is particularly important given the Republic of Ireland’s participation. Its current competitive advantage over Northern Ireland as a location for investment would be further enhanced. It is particularly disappointing that some local politicians, in particular Unionists, do not appreciate what is Northern Ireland’s economic interest.
“Alliance welcomes the more positive attitude of the British government to the UK’s participation in the Single Currency. However, it does not yet amount to a substantive decision to apply for entry.”
Stephen Farry said:
“Alliance supports the UK’s entry into the European Single Currency at the earliest possible opportunity. There are sound economic reasons to justify it, in particular greater stability and increased potential for trade. The arguments against are weak and largely based on out-moded attitudes towards sovereignty.
“Northern Ireland’s place in the Euro-Zone is particularly important given the Republic of Ireland’s participation. Its current competitive advantage over Northern Ireland as a location for investment would be further enhanced. It is particularly disappointing that some local politicians, in particular Unionists, do not appreciate what is Northern Ireland’s economic interest.
“Alliance welcomes the more positive attitude of the British government to the UK’s participation in the Single Currency. However, it does not yet amount to a substantive decision to apply for entry.”
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