Citizens Advice attends Alliance Party Conference

David Ford, Leader of the Alliance Party with Siobhán Harding, Citizens Advice at the Alliance Party Conference

Citizens Advice attended the Alliance Party Conference in the Dunadry Hotel on Saturday 22nd January.  The Conference provided the organisation with an opportunity to discuss the proposed welfare reform agenda and the increased level of demand being experienced by bureaux as a result of the recession.

Adam Harbinson, Down District CAB with Naomi Long MP and Lucy Cochrane from Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice welcomes the comments made by David Ford in his speech at the Conference where he said: "I want to see that those who need advice or assistance can get it easily and cheaply and to promote mediation and alternative dispute resolution, rather than always assuming that civil disagreements should end up in court. The purpose of legal aid should be to assist those in need, not enrich lawyers."  Citizens Advice is keen to ensure that there is a wider choice of sources of legal help available to those most in need.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny also addressed the Alliance Party Conference.  Staff from Citizens Advice had the opportunity to speak to him about issues in relation to cross border advice and co-operation with Citizens Information Centres in the Republic of Ireland.