15/02/2005

SF hit out at St Patrick's Day funding refusal

Sinn Fein have hit out at 'unionist' Alliance Party today for refusing to back a motion that would have granted financial aid for a St Patrick’s Day carnival in Belfast.

The Alliance Party, UUP and DUP all refused to back a motion last night which would have granted £30,000 to help fund this year's parade in the city.

Sinn Féin’s Belfast council group leader Tom Hartley said: “Once again last night the Alliance party in Belfast City Hall firmly nailed their colours to the unionist mast. In the recent past they have refused to support power sharing on the council and now have failed to support the St Patrick’s Day Carnival in the city.

“In the eyes on the nationalist and republican community in this city the Alliance party are operating as little more than unionists in everything but name.”

Unionist councillors said that while efforts were being made to make the event more inclusive, not enough was being done to enable the City council to endorse the event and provide community funding.

The Alliance Party were unavailable for comment.

(MB/SP)

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