She was speaking after the passing of an Alliance motion today (23 August) calling on Belfast City Council to recognise the vital role of Good Relations programmes in supporting reconciliation.

Also, to robustly condemn recent violence and the targeting of businesses, and register collective disappointment that there has been no more progress on implementing a regional Good Relations Strategy or restoring Good Relations funding to the levels previously seen in the past.

Cllr McAteer has said: “Good Relations programmes are a vital antidote to intolerance and a cornerstone of the peaceful post-conflict society we all want to see and are trying to achieve. One that involves creating shared spaces, challenging sectarianism, racism and other forms of prejudice, and promoting respect for all cultural identities.

“The funding that keeps these programmes running is vital, so it’s incredibly worrying to see cuts from The Executive Office which will be so damaging to local councils.

“This is only underlined by TEO’s lack of momentum in terms of agreeing an enhanced Good Relations Strategy, the need for which is stark in the aftermath of the racially and religiously motived violence we’ve seen over the last few weeks.

“As highlighted by our TEO spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, Alliance is committed to seeing Good Relations initiatives given the recognition they deserve, through both funding and an enhanced overall Strategy.

“We’re glad council colleagues have agreed to join us in calling on the Executive Office to reflect on their own, at this point, lacklustre approach to such an essential policy area.”