First part of a detailed review, of “Who Needs Irish?” by Seaghán Ó Murchú is here, in the current edition of “The Blanket”.The reference to Marianne Faithfull’s wonderful album, Broken English, is a neat touch!

Lyrics.

Ian McCartney is the first front bencher to make it to the blogosphere. There seems to be plenty of output from the man himself during the Labour Party conference. But it will be interesting to see if he can sustain it through when the rigours of the day job are more demanding.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton in the News Letter this morning, after attending yesterday’s Gaelic Athletic Association All-Ireland football final in Croke Park: “My interest in the sport has grown through our own PSNI team and I would like to congratulate both teams on their performance today” Thanks to reader Richard.

Moves are being considered to enable the implementation of an All-Ireland Free Travel scheme for pensioners and other groups. The BBC quotes Irish Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Coughlan, “The use of this type of smart card [to be introduced next year] may hold the key to resolving many of the administrative difficulties in operating the proposed All-Ireland Free Travel scheme on both sides of the border”According to Minister Coughlan, “Issuing these new smart cards to pensioners and other eligible social welfare client groups is scheduled to commence within the next year”.

As the BBC report says “Pass holders in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are currently entitled to free cross-border journeys, but they are not entitled to free travel within the other jurisdiction.

Under the plan being considered, senior citizens in Northern Ireland with a Senior Smart Pass would be able to travel for free within the Irish Republic, and vice versa.”

And about time, too.

Although I did note that despite the confirmation that the plan was discussed at a Ministerial meeting in Belfast last Monday, NIO Minister John Spellar does not appear to have made any comment yet.

As a warmer for tomorrow’s Charter of Rights e-debate, David Aaronvitch with an argument that the UN Declaration is too blunt an instrument to deal with the sensitivities of various religious groupings.

Bruce Arnold introduced the new EU Ambassador to the US John Bruton and his opening speech to the Reform Movement’s conference at the Mansion House in Dublin. He draws on the nature of the EU’s apparent ability to transcend nationalisms, and suggests that Irish nationalism re-examine it’s pre-1916 character to re-cover the pluralism of the old IPP.

Roy Garland argues that whatever positive effect of public dialogue events, there is nothing to compare with the direct and blunt communication between people from opposing traditions that take place, off camera.

Having liberalised the commenting regime on Thursday, we’ve been rewarded with a whole new epidemic of comment spam. So we have put back the requirement to register with type key again.

A belated thanks to Eilis O’Hanlon who, I have only just discovered, wished us well in being shortlisted for the New Statesman Award back in June. Argh! Maybe we should have had the prize taken back off us for not having picked up on it before?! An extremely belated thanks Eilis!

Interesting and thoughtful analysis from someone on the Independent staff. In particular it notes the presence of a group of academics last week who “…were amazed that parties should get so near agreement and fail to make the final connection”.

Two things worthy of note in last week’s Hearts and Minds: the degree of agreement in the round table discussions at the beginning; and the lively discussion on civil partnerships – Steven King who argues that the expected UK legislation should be extended to NI with a minister who believes it’s the thin end of the wedge for a longer term agenda to legitimise gay marriage.

First part of a detailed review, of

Roy Garland argues that whatever positive effect of public dialogue events, there is nothing to compare with the direct and blunt communication between people from opposing traditions that take place, off camera.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton in the News Letter this morning, after attending yesterday’s Gaelic Athletic Association All-Ireland football final in Croke Park: “My interest in the sport has grown through our own PSNI team and I would like to congratulate both teams on their performance today” Thanks to reader Richard.

Bruce Arnold introduced the new EU Ambassador to the US John Bruton and his opening speech to the Reform Movement’s conference at the Mansion House in Dublin. He draws on the nature of the EU’s apparent ability to transcend nationalisms, and suggests that Irish nationalism re-examine it’s pre-1916 character to re-cover the pluralism of the old IPP.

Interesting and thoughtful analysis from someone on the Independent staff. In particular it notes the presence of a group of academics last week who “…were amazed that parties should get so near agreement and fail to make the final connection”.

Ian McCartney is the first front bencher to make it to the blogosphere. There seems to be plenty of output from the man himself during the Labour Party conference. But it will be interesting to see if he can sustain it through when the rigours of the day job are more demanding.

Having liberalised the commenting regime on Thursday, we’ve been rewarded with a whole new epidemic of comment spam. So we have put back the requirement to register with type key again.

As a warmer for tomorrow’s Charter of Rights e-debate, David Aaronvitch with an argument that the UN Declaration is too blunt an instrument to deal with the sensitivities of various religious groupings.

Two things worthy of note in last week’s Hearts and Minds: the degree of agreement in the round table discussions at the beginning; and the lively discussion on civil partnerships – Steven King who argues that the expected UK legislation should be extended to NI with a minister who believes it’s the thin end of the wedge for a longer term agenda to legitimise gay marriage.