“And still we waited..”
On the local evening news yesterday Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy denied that there had been a “wobble amongst republicans” as Mark Devenport suggested. Interestingly, the Irish Times’ Gerry Moriarty clearly heard similar reports
Conscious of mistakes made in previous negotiations, both the DUP and Sinn Féin were anxious not to be wrong-footed. Some sources spoke of disagreements within the Sinn Féin camp. There was no Sinn Féin confirmation, needless to say, while another neutral source put down any republican disquiet to what happens [to] people when they are locked in tense and intensive negotiations for five days with little sleep. “There are tired people in there; that’s a hidden factor,” he said.Robinson said a deal needed all sides to “stretch themselves” while Sinn Féin Minister Conor Murphy described yesterday as a “fairly defining day and I expect we will have to call it reasonably soon”. Our objective observer agreed. “Robinson is correct,” he said. “It’s always difficult when people have to stretch themselves. There are many more hours in this. This could go either way; it could be the storm before the calm. It’s still eminently do-able.”
Rumours from Northern Ireland office that the new unofficial deadline is Tuesday lunchtime.
“we will have to call it”
An ambiguous phrase. It can mean a decision has to be made but it can imply that the decision is a negative one: ‘we’ll have to call it a day’ ie give up, throw in the towel.
Castlereagh council has suspended its investigation into Iris and the cottage contract while chairman Spratt says she was not expelled from the DUP but resigned.
By-election seems inevitable.
(News Letter today)
Inevitable ? There will definitely be a by-election. Nobody is supporting a DUP co-option – in the circumstances how could they ?
Gregory Campbell has said that the governments’ proposals are unacceptable so this is an opportunity perhaps for the UUP to move firmly into the middle ground if the DUP are now announcing their short stay there has now ended.
MU,
It looks to me as if the DUP has connived to close off that path with the “secret” talks with the OO and the Tories. And I doubt Slasher McNarry and company would want to be seen buying into the deal that was rejected by the DUP.
Somebody needs to give Robinson a spine because he seems to be missing one. when is he going to stand up to the lowlife that lurks in his party?
the DUP seems prepared to put the Orangemen at the front of the queue ,ahead of Health Education and other important issues they are being paid to sort out. There are some in that party who display attitudes to catholics not far removed from George Seawright, although just clever eniough to keep them to themselves. Come to think of it Peter Robinson seemed happy enough with Seawright in the party, if only he had kept his mouth shut.
Comrade Stalin,
Fair point, perhaps with Unionism marching along to the Orange Order tune and further away form the middle ground there may be some movement towards the Alliance party by those not overly keen on current deveopments.
MU 5 Campbell has effectively told Peter Robinson on behalf of all the neanderthals what he [Robbo] is going to draw the line at, and PR has no option other than to comply.
It’s a bit like that skit in Not the Nine o’clock News where the US president gives a speech with a man behind him giving the lines to say. Pathetic.
Why don’t The Orange Order just come out as a political party.
Mind you I suppose its not as much fun as being Puppet Master to Three Unionist Parties.
Puppet Master without responsibilities.
Gregory Campbell is betting that Robinson is finished and is positioning himself for a run for leader.
Joe Canuck [11]
Greg going for the leadership? I don’t think even the DUP would let that happen. It would be the biggest own goal in their history, as even some unionist voters are embarassed by him. Wouldn’t put it past him to stand, which is a prime example of delusional.
Joe Canuck [11]
Greg going for the leadership? I don’t think even the DUP would let that happen. It would be the biggest own goal in their history, as even some unionist voters are embarassed by him. Wouldn’t put it past him to stand, which is a prime example of delusional.
Eamonn Mallie tweeting Poots: “We’re looking at tidying some things tonight and there is more work to be done on Monday” It looks like outline of deal?
Another Eamonn tweet “Micheal Martin and Shaun Woodward to address media shortly. Hurry up Shaun it is bloody freezing out here!”