Frustration growing over political stalemate…
THE Politics Show reports that four out of five chief executives here believe the devolved government is hindering our economy (although I think I read an account in the papers where they also preferred devolution to direct rule). The business community seems as frustrated as the rest of us, but with maybe greater reason. They know that the current economic climate makes wealth-creation more difficult, they know that political instability or stalemate is a huge disincentive to inward investment and they know that the Executive’s ability to influence the local economy is quite limited in reality. The Presbyterian Church’s leader has also recently expressed concerns over the political situation, “believing that the present disagreement and instability could breathe new life into sectarianism and violence”.
After the devolution of P and J is done is there any way to change institutions so as to prevent the Exec meetings from being held up in this way?
First they need to get past this impass. Isn’t there someway of parking constitutional issues to allow this other business to be done.
I thought Margaret Ritchie gave an excellent account of herself on the politics show, she is a very good, shrewd politician, whereas McNarry was woeful.
I don’t think an election either would solve the problems, since the two main parties would be returned, that’d be a complete waste of taxpayers money.
The Pres. Church’s concerns are legitimate, since the behaviour of SF re the RIR parade is questionable. However when McNarry tried to bring it up, it was quashed by the host. Pity it could have done with an airing.
I believe that the british and irish goverments have employed Mrs Doyle(of father Ted fame)to resolve this deadlock and a wise choice she is too from their point of view.
Mrs Doyle at her most persuasive best
Go on, go on,go on,go on, go on,go on,go on,………….
At their party conference the PUP called for an Irish Langauge Act, as the Alliance Party had a few weeks earlier at theirs.
The PUP, Alliance and Green Parties support comprehensive education.
There may even be a natural majority in favour of a Maze stadium if the right private member’s bill is proposed.
Anyone know what’s stopping SF or others from bringing legislation directly to the assembly? Is it the fear of the DUP veto?
Not quite, Perry – Alliance supports the maintenance of academic streams, but by parental choice (versus a much better-resources vocational stream).
Fair enough CD but my point is that a non-partisan coalition could be built around certain issues which would command a natural majority and I’ve a feeling that if a majority of the assembly supported a bill the DUP would struggle to justify using a petition of concern to oppose it.
“is there any way to change institutions so as to prevent the Exec meetings from being held up in this way?”
slug, on a previous thread id suggested making these exec meetings happen at a regular date such as the 1st business day of the month. no need to agree to call them. similar to standard business practice. but then themmuns in stormont dont want standard efficent business practices, they want the power to f**k things up so they can force others to do what they want.
if executive meetings or whatever took place at set dates or monthly/weekly cycles, then to get their way the parties would have to first of all turn up. then they’d have to argue their case and convince a majority to vote with them. cant imagine the ni parties wanting to have to do that kind of hard work!!