Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn said “I am glad that today's stunt by the Ulster Unionist Party has rightly failed to gain any traction in the assembly. The motion put forward by Doug Beattie in relation to Trans prisoners in the prison system is a distraction technique. LGBTQ people have been promised a strategy to address the inequalities our community faces since 2007. After 18 years we are still waiting. Progress on LGBTQ equality has come through the courts or the UK Government rather than our own local Assembly.”

Councillor Flynn continued “LGBTQ people experience hate crime, significant health inequalities in terms of mental health, sexual health, substance use, risk of homelessness and these inequalities are made worse by intolerance and inequality. That’s what the Assembly should be addressing, not stoking up culture wars for cheap politicking.”

ENDS

Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn said, "I am delighted to support the expansion of glass recycling collections across Belfast to an additional 23k households. This initiative represents a vital step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly city and something the Green Party has been advocating for on behalf of residents for years."

"Glass recycling is not just about waste management; it’s about reducing our carbon footprint, conserving energy, and embracing a circular economy model through local businesses reusing our glass recycling. By increasing access to glass recycling collections, we are empowering residents to make eco-conscious choices and significantly reducing the volume of recyclable materials sent to landfill, which is costing residents in ever increasing landfill taxes."

"This expansion is a clear example of how local government can take meaningful action on climate change. However, there is much more to be done. As we work together to create a greener, cleaner, fairer Belfast, I will continue to advocate for innovative waste reduction strategies, improved infrastructure for recycling, and greater community engagement in sustainability initiatives."

"I urge all residents to take full advantage of the expanded service and join us in building a greener, cleaner, fairer Belfast for future generations."

ENDS

Notes: Belfast City Council has tonight ratified a decision to expand kerbside glass recycling collections to an additional 23k households across Belfast, a full list of streets affected is below.

Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn said “When this temporary ban was announced in the summer, we and many activists argued that the executive should release the evidence that informed this decision. Now that the ban has been made indefinite, it should be released.”

Councillor Flynn continued “The Executive parties have failed LGBTQ+ people. They have promised us a strategy since 2007 to address the inequalities that our community face but it has never been delivered. We are particularly disappointed in Sinn Fein and the Alliance party who give much lip service to LGBTQ+ equality but have yet to use their 26 years in Government to improve our lives in any meaningful way. This decision turns failure into betrayal. We will not forget.”

ENDS

Today's announcement by the Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd of a pilot scheme to permit some taxis to use bus lanes has been criticised by Green Party Cllr Anthony Flynn, who has said the plan will raise safety concerns for cyclists.

Cllr Flynn said "While we understand the desire to reduce traffic pressure in Belfast city centre, which is exacerbated by the road works at Grand Central Station, this is not the way to solve the issue."

"In the absence of a properly funded and developed cycle network, this plan raises safety concerns for cyclists, while providing little to relieve serious congestion."

"Bus lanes are designed to be used by cyclists too, in an attempt to create a sustainable transport element to our road service. They are not meant for any type of private car, including private hire taxis."

Cllr Flynn concluded "We have been waiting for the Belfast cycle network delivery plan to be rolled out for four years and yet it is possible for a decision, which reduces sustainable transport to be pushed through with near immediate effect."

"This is not the way to tackle traffic distruption and speaks to poor planning and an inherent failure to take the climate crisis seriously."

ENDS

The All-Party group on animal welfare met this afternoon for it's AGM and to discuss a plan for the year ahead.

Cllr Flynn said "I am delighted to sit on the Stormont all-party group for animal welfare as an observer member, to be able to put forward I and the Green Party's priorities for animal welfare."

Cllr Flynn continued "We want to see movement on animal welfare with the rest of this assembly mandate on issues such as Lucy's law, an issue on which I have campaigned for years, tougher legislation on breeding establishments, strengthening animal welfare standards and an animal welfare strategy for Northern Ireland."

"Northern Ireland has a terrible record when it comes to animal welfare standards and the illegal breeding of dogs and cats, we have a lot of work to do and plenty of regulation to bring to some of these industries which exploit animals, we must give councils and the police new powers of enforcement so that the public has confidence in our institutions to take the rights of animals seriously."

"We must use this opportunity for the rest of the assembly mandate to reaffirm our commitment to animal welfare."

ENDS

Note: Cllr Flynn will sit on the APG for animal welfare as a non-voting observer member.

Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn has reacted to the decision by the Communities Minister, to force Councils to return to in-person meetings from 6th March.

Cllr Flynn said "This is an incredibly short-sighted move by the minister, which seems to be more ideological, rather than practical."

"The ability to attend Council meetings remotely ensures councils are more accessible to those with particular needs, including those with caring responsibilities or physical or mental needs. Employers are required under employment law to make reasonable adjustments to allow you to do your job, Councils should be no different and should instead be leading the way in accessibility."

"The Minister seems to forget that Councillors don't attend council meetings full time. We are often required to attend meetings at various times throughout the day, often during work hours, the ability to attend remotely increases accessibility whilst maintaining productivity at meetings. It wouldn't be a huge burden on the minister to simply extend the current regulations to allow for remote meetings, until his department has time to implement new regulations."

"The Green Party calls on the minister to reverse this short-sighted decision, and extend the current provisions for remote meetings."

ENDS

Reacting to the news that Belfast City Council has launched a public consultation on new city centre byelaws, Green Party Councillor, Anthony Flynn said "I am delighted that after a long internal process, Belfast city council has now launched a consultation on creating new byelaws dealing with amplification in our city centre."

"These new byelaws are intended to address the concerns that many residents, Councillors and business owners have with nuisance noise in our city centre. Some parts of our city centre have become inaccessible at various times of the day because of the noise, these modest changes to byelaws are about creating a city centre that is open, accessible and welcoming for all."

"Residents will now have until 4th March 2024 to have their say on these proposed changes, I would encourage everyone to please take the time to fill in the survey."

ENDS