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Aaron Skinner

@aaron-skinner.bsky.social
219 followers 212 following 56 posts

Alliance party Cllr in Mid & East Antrim and Vice Chair of NI Housing Counci Promoted by Cllr Aaron Skinner, Alliance HQ, 7 Farmley Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 7TY

PostsRepliesMedia
Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Most people work Mon–Fri. Council services like recycling centres should be open when people actually need them. We're bringing a motion to open all HRCs on Sundays. The vote’s Mon 9 June. Back us? Contact your councillors and ask them to support it: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/council/coun...
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CMJohnston @cmjohnston.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
An update
Text of an update re mental health treatment in NI
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Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Here is a wee #ShareTheShore QR code that will take you directly to the @meabc.bsky.social consultation form that you can use to say YES to beach access at #Greenisland. @aaron-skinner.bsky.social @scdicksonmla.bsky.social @maevedonnelly.bsky.social @dannydonnelly1.bsky.social
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CMJohnston @cmjohnston.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
*Shares in Belfast/ NI appreciated* My oldest, a Belfast Met student, is now doing ‘pay what you like’ portrait commissions to support her art volunteering and learning See ‘LeahErinArt’ on Insta 🙏
Screengrab of Insta post offering portrait commissions
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Mid & East Antrim Council has backed our motion calling for stronger protections for private renters Grateful to those across the chamber who supported it. Renters deserve safe, affordable homes. Now it’s time for the Minister to act 🔗 www.loveballymena.online/post/mid-and...
loveballymena.online
Mid and East Antrim Council supports motion for stronger private renter protections
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council backs Alliance Party motion calling for urgent reform in private rental housing, including stricter standards, affordable rents, and action against unsafe housing.
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Franchesca Ramsey @chescaleigh.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Virginia service worker Jennifer Piggott voted for Trump knowing others would suffer she just never thought… 🐆💀
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Nikki Chilton @quoque.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
The best fun you can have sober with your clothes on (they insist on both). Seriously, the lads here are brilliant - they know exactly how to safely adjust the experience for me in my scooter while not patronising me or treating me differently. Great craic and definitely worth having a go! 💥🪓🪓🪓
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
Troopers Lane Speed Signs Cleaned! Unfortunately due to their current funding problems it was going to take a year for DfI to clean these. Headed down with @paulrice.bsky.social to do them ourselves. Need a bigger ladder for next time but I think they look a lot better
Aaron Skinner standing in front of a clean 30mph signA dirty 30mph signAaron Skinner cleaning a 30mph sign Aaron Skinner cleaning a 30mph sign
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
I try to avoid Trump nonsense but last night was exceptional Cpl BoneSplints and Vance who's support for the AfD makes Chamberlain look like Churchill attacking a man who has held his country together for 3 years against an enemy they weren't supposed to last 3 days against #StandWithUkraine
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Seána @grantsana.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
The media seems to be running uncritically, with the line that increasing defence budgets must come at the expense of international aid budgets - as if they are inextricably linked. Shame on them, the Labour Party and their backers
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Dermot Devlin @mywayaccess.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
I'm tried of ableism in all it's forms. Yesterday Irish Rugby wore white against their 6 Nations game against Wales to make it more accessible for those who are colourblind. Didn't stop jerks on JOE.ie's Facebook comments belittling and mocking the efforts. #Colourblindness #Disabled #Disability
Screenshot of a Facebook comment thread discussing colorblindness. Collette mentions red and green look the same. Shane and Dermot debate the issue and potential solutions with differing views.Replies to Collette's comment on JOE.ie's post

Collette Carrigan
It's for the colourblind red and green
looks the same color to who is colourblind

Shane Hughes
Collette Carrigan Complete nonsense. Wales wear red shirts and shorts and Ireland wear green shirts and white shorts. Solves the problem.

Dermot Devlin
Shane Hughes Do you understand anything about colourblindness?

Shane Hughes
Dermot Devlin Enough to know that changing the shirts is disproportionate
Dermot Devlin
Shane Hughes Tell that to the 12% of the Irish population you want to exclude from enjoying the game, all because you want
a green jersey.

Shane Hughes
Dermot Devlin Do those people want to ruin snooker as well?

Dermot Devlin
Shane Hughes I understand who you are and what your character is now. So I will no longer be indulging your "l'm alright Jack!" outlook on life.

Shane Hughes
Dermot Devlin I will no longer indulge your "I am offended, therefore I am" outlook
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Dermot Devlin @mywayaccess.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
For years, we have been saying at IMTAC that all public realm spaces need good contrast for those who are visually impaired to allow them to navigate safely through our towns and cities. /1 #Disabled #Disability #DisabledLife
bbc.co.uk
Belfast: Consultants called to resolve street 'optical illusion'
The kerb in Belfast city centre has been blocked off with a temporary barrier for more than two years.
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
With everything going on in the world I can think of better indicators of who would have been a collaborator in WWII
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Changing Places Toilet Now Open at Marine Gardens! When plans to redevelop the Pirate Park came before the council, @cllrlaurengray.bsky.social and I made it clear that such a significant investment had to include accessible facilities for all.
Aaron Skinner, Andrew Muir and Lauren Gray standing in front of the new Changing Places toilet in Marine Gardens, Carrickfergus
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Belfast Telegraph @belfasttelegraph.co.uk · 17/02/2025
"The protection of state informers and their participation in serious criminality is something we in Northern Ireland know a lot about..."
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
How many NI women have been failed by authorities because protection of an agent was prioritised above their safety?
The protection of state informers and their participation in serious criminality is something we in Northern Ireland know a lot about.
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Alliance Party @allianceparty.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Alliance is calling for a New Deal for Private Renters🏘️ Too many renters in NI are fighting to keep a roof over their head. That’s why we must stop unaffordable rent hikes, ensure secure tenure for renters, and boost the supply of housing across NI👇 www.allianceparty.org/new_de...
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Alexa (dot) Moore @alexadotm.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
"children experiencing gender dysphoria— the belief that a person may have been born in the wrong gender." This is patently not what dysphoria is. It is not a 'belief' that young people have. It is a physical and emotional distress that they experience, and that puberty blockers can help alleviate.
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TheBlindboyPodcast @blindboyboatclub.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Do you know why people who find out they are autistic do this? It’s a request for kindness and understanding before doing or saying something which will be perceived as odd. It’s also a way to understand ourselves, having just received a new word to describe how we’ve been our entire lives
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Shane McKee @shaneir.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
New Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has a lot on her plate! Some wins are hard - fixing public transport, waste water infra. Some are EASY like holding NI Water to account and getting them to allow people to access our beaches & countryside instead of blocking them. #ShareTheShore #ReadTheALT
The beach at Greenisland is inaccessible except at very low tide, because NI Water block access via their safe (gated) lane that leads down to the beach. ALL other access points to the Shore Road for a 2km stretch have been developed or closed off; public rights of way allowed to lapse. This would be a VERY easy thing to fix - simply replace the spiky gate with a locking bollard preventing unauthorised vehicular access, and some signage indicating the nature of the beach, safety & environmental protection behaviours expected. Job done. Beach open, people will be able to use it for recreation, walk dogs, clean up the environment, get exercise, improve their mental & physical health. There is NO good reason to keep the gate closed, and NIW need to be held to account.
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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Today you’ll hear about Blue Monday & it being the “most depressing day” of the year. There is no such thing. Blue Monday is a marketing concept started in 2005 by travel companies sell holidays. I’m supporting Samartians rebranding today as Brew Monday. A day to chat with family/friends over tea
Brew Monday
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CMJohnston @cmjohnston.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
What a day for otters on the river Pics from the Six Mile near Antrim Forum
Otter on its back in the water Otter on a branch Otter turning to face camera Otter on a tree trunk
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
It’s long overdue for NI Water to open their gate and allow public access to the beach at Jointure Bay. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environ...
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Why a tiny NI beach is only open to a select few despite minister's support for public access
The gentle shores of Belfast Lough have long been a relaxing destination for walkers and families seeking the perfect escape from the hustle of city life.
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
They say it's where the mountains of mourne sweep down to the sea so no better place for a hike and a swim. Great day and beautiful views but definitely feeling the age on the way down, thankfully the coldest swim I think we've ever done eased the aches. Home now for a BBQ to finish the day off.
Stevie and me on the way up Slieve Donard with Newcastle and the beach in the background Stevie and me at the top of DonardIce covered Mourne wallStevie and me in the sea with the Newcastle coast in the background
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
@allianceparty.bsky.social new year's swim at Ballygally, even got the rainbow out for the occasion @dannydonnelly1.bsky.social @niamhs90.bsky.social
Danny, Keith, Niamh, Ivan and Aaron from East Antrim Alliance Party in dry robes standing in front of the sea with a rainbow over their headsPeople in the sea getting hit by a waveSwimmers in the sea with a rainbow overhead
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Sian Mulholland MLA @sianalliance.bsky.social · 27/12/2024
Come and work with me! I am recruiting for a Part-Time Communication and Outreach Officer (16 hours per week). Closing Date is Friday 24th January 2025 at 4pm. All details in the link. www.communityni.org/job/communic...
communityni.org
Communication and Outreach Officer PT
Sian Mulholland MLA is recruiting a Communication and Outreach Officer to carry out the function of providing communication support and engagement with stakeholders for her as Alliance MLA for North A...
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
The uncontrollable rage I feel every time I have to use the automated food ordering system at Omniplex cinemas. You faff around to find the stuff you want on the machine then you take the ticket over to the person who reads and makes the order up there and then anyway.
media.tenor.com
homer simpson from the simpsons is making a funny face with his mouth open and his fist in the air .
Alt: homer simpson from the simpsons is making an angry face with his mouth open and his fist in the air .
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
Christmas chips have nothing on a Christmas Club sandwich
Absolutely glorious Christmas club sandwich with roast potato dippers and homemade gravy
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CMJohnston @cmjohnston.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
I wrote a thing! From collapsing GP services to chatbots and proper post offices disappearing, how come everything is suddenly so…crap?! Plus why this matters. Clickety click 🙏 >>> sluggerotoole.com/2024/12/21/r...
sluggerotoole.com
Real World ‘Crapification’ Is Spreading…Should You Care?
Tell me if this sounds familiar: You take a parcel to the crappy wee petrol station Post Office counter but it’s shut due to ‘staff shortage’. Then you try to phone your council and get a crap chat bo...
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Alliance Party @allianceparty.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Democracy should be about the voices of ordinary people, not the wallets of billionaires with agendas, Alliance MP @sorchaeastwood.bsky.social has said. www.allianceparty.org/democracy_mu...
allianceparty.org
Democracy must not be about the wallets of billionaires with agendas, says Eastwood, as she tables motion
Democracy must not be about the wallets of billionaires with agendas, says Eastwood, as she tables motion
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God @thegodshow.com · 17/12/2024
The Democratic party will continue to lose far, far into the future because their clueless 70+ members are never going to get out of the way until they pass away. They do not care about winning. They only care about insider trading and enriching themselves.
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Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 08/12/2024
Momentous events in Syria this morning. The 54 year rule of the Assad family appears to be over, with rebel forces taking to state TV claiming President Assad has fled Damascus. The prime minister has said he will hand over power to the opposition and has called for elections.
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Alliance Party @allianceparty.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
It’s shameful that other parties have voted against Alliance’s plan to increase penalties for polluters. Our proposal would’ve reversed the DUP’s cap on cross-compliance penalties. Only Alliance is committed to protecting our environment and Lough Neagh.
Image of blue-green algae in Lough Neagh.

Text reads: "Sinn Féin, DUP, SDLP & UUP vote against our plans to increase penalties for polluters."
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Reader of Banned Books @readerofbannedbook.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
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Alliance Party @allianceparty.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
We’re prioritising animal welfare. Alliance Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister @andrewmuirni.bsky.social is advancing several measures, including regulation of the third-party sale of pets, to better protect our animals. 🐶🐈
Image of puppies and kittens.

Text reads: "We're protecting animals"

"We're:
• Banning the use of shock collars
• Banning third-party sales of puppies & kittens
• Compulsory microchipping of cats"
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Homeless Connect @homelessconnect.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Homeless Connect has joined Blue Sky! Do give us a follow if you are interested in responding to homelessness here in Northern Ireland
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Anon Opin @anonopin.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Someone from Chupa Chups lollipop packaging division head needs to roll. They should try opening one of their lollipop wrappers outside a shop while a 4 year is crying at them. They are impossible to open.
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Mark Young @markyoung23.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Today is a significant day. Its the day that a discussion around the UNCRPD finally makes it on to the assembly floor. Many thanks to @dannydonnelly1.bsky.social with the support of @sianalliance.bsky.social @NickDMathison & @katenicholl.bsky.social for bringing this motion to the assembly floor
Motion: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Proposed:

That this Assembly supports the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of society; acknowledges the difficulties and inequalities facing 25 per cent of the population with a disability or long-term health condition; recognises the diversity of disabilities throughout our society; accepts that the Assembly and Executive must commit to mitigating and reducing any such inequalities faced by people with disabilities; laments the lack of progress on equality legislation in Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister for Communities to bring forward legislation to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into local legislation to provide a more equitable legislative framework and to tackle the inequalities faced by people with disabilities.


Mr Danny Donnelly
Ms Kate Nicholl
Ms Sian Mulholland
Mr Nick MathisonAn image of my journal entry for today.

Song to start the day:

- Believer   - Imagine Dragons

Reasons to be thankful today:

- I’ve been blessed with a new day.
- Family.
- Friends
- Danny, Sian, Kate & Nick getting a motion about the UNCRPD in front of the NI Assembly today.
- Music.
- Raising awareness of Colitis & PSC.
- Being able to help others.
- Making an impact (no matter how small) on the world.
- Medications to ease my pain & symptoms.
- New knowledge that the day will bring.
- Hot Chocolate tonightAn Alliance party image of

The Disability Rights Bill
1. Catch Northern Ireland up with other jurisdictions on disability rights.
2 move towards incorporation of the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
3 obligations on public authorities in Northern Ireland to advance and update disability rights and eliminate discrimination.
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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Another #starterpack for anyone interested in Irish politics Parties, politicians & reporters in Ireland. Let me know if there are any accounts I should add to this. Will keep updating it. #GE24 go.bsky.app/9m7pnRg
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Paula Bradshaw MLA @paulaballiance.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
#StarterPack for @allianceparty.bsky.social elected representatives 💛 bsky.app/profile/did:...
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
This is incredible, hair standing up on the back of your neck stuff. Such a powerful protest.
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 07/11/2024
Almost every school in NI has seats reserved on the board of governors for appointment by the local clergy. 1/x BBC News - 'Easier to reveal sexuality than faith,' claims evangelical group www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
'Easier to reveal sexuality than faith,' Education Committee told
Assembly members are told some NI pupils feel it is easier to come out as LGBT than as Christians.
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
To everyone still watching...
media.tenor.com
a woman is smiling with the words firstly are you ok
ALT: a woman is smiling with the words firstly are you ok
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 04/11/2024
Can't even begin to imagine what this family in Greenisland were going through when this happened. There's no place for this in our society. If you know anything about this or saw anything please contact crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/woman-c...
belfastlive.co.uk
Masked men order woman and children into living room during burglary
Police say the men claimed to represent a paramilitary organisation
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 28/10/2024
As the housing crisis worsens DfC are cutting more services to support people. Anyone calling this line out of hours is in desperation, instead of getting support, they'll get a voicemail box. It's disgusting how we treat people in this country sometimes. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/norther...
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Concern as Housing Exec’s out of hours service at risk due to funding
A Housing Executive (NIHE) out of hours service for those experiencing homelessness is at risk of being shut due to lack of funding.
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 23/10/2024
Sadly a lot of councillors in Mid and East Antrim would rather our town halls were left empty than allow a group such as Positive Life to use them. We'll keep doing what we can to support groups like this and always keen to hear ideas on how we can do so. www.loveballymena.online/post/no-free...
loveballymena.online
No free use of council facilities in Mid and East Antrim
Mid and East Antrim councillors have agreed that there should be no free use of council facilities on the grounds of equality.
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 21/10/2024
Advertise your account with just image
Photo of a man in a cowboy hat with BBQ tongs and Political BBQ in writing
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 06/11/2023
Not sure if this is the right place for BBQ pics or not but we'll see. Thor's hammer on Mac n Cheese. Meat from Monkstown Butchers and smoked on the Pit Barrel for about 5 hours
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Aaron Skinner @aaron-skinner.bsky.social · 06/11/2023
I live beside a train station and work beside another one on the same line so train could be perfect for me. Times don't quite match up but I could make it work. However, the new pricing from Translink has made it even less appealing. 1/2
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David Hughes @filmcritic.bsky.social · 29/10/2023
Through the lens of a fallen leaf in Autumn.🍁 📷 by William Smith
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