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    Sunday, November 26, 2006

    Who do we think we are?

    I just finished listening to a fine piece of radio presented by Gerry Anderson and would recommend a listen. It covered the area of identity and what factors make us what and who we think we are. It’s certainly timely given the present impasse we are stuck in, unable and unwilling to perfom a basic function of democracy and govern ourselves. Perhaps a better or more confident sense of identity or achieving some permission to allow ourselves to claim shared identity would be useful at this time. (I heard a certain Mr Fealty credited on the show, but will have to listen again to catch his contribution.)

    Miss Fitz @ 04:07 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    New biometric passports hacked

    The RFID system in the new passports has been successfully cracked using the publicly available information and equipment costing £175-£250.  The government did put on a high level of encryption to deter identity thieves but the ‘secret key’ needed to unlock it isn’t a secret.  The Home Office doesn’t care and insist “This doesn’t matter”.  They don’t seem to understand that if you can crack the chip it means you can clone it.

    Fair Deal @ 12:39 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    Your bill sirs.  No tip required.

    The Sunday Times claims that ‘Good Republican’ Slab Murphy, family members and businesses will be billed for £10m/15m euros in unpaid taxes.

    Fair Deal @ 11:53 AM | Trackbacks (0)

    Stone only wanted back into jail…

    The attempt on Stormont had the potential to be life threatening, even if it looked farcical at the time. The devices were real enough, and witnesses reported that the bag was smoking at the time. One thing missed out of many of the early reports though was that Stone himself is a virtual cripple these days, which is one obvious reason why he got caught in the revolving doors (another metaphor for our arthritic Peace Process™?). But, Liam Clarke reports, he was less intent on sowing mayhem than just getting back into jail. It seems he had four paramilitary squads on his tail at the time.

    Mick Fealty @ 09:18 AM | Trackbacks (1)

    From deadlock to deadlock…

    Alex Kane was at Stormont in the rain on Friday.  He is not impressed with a process that, apparently, has little discernible forward structure. He notes below that, “The DUP and Sinn Fein are being asked to dole out the top jobs in advance of an election in which it is the electorate who are supposed to make the decision about votes and seats”. Even more than the November 2003, this election (if it actually takes place) looks like an election with very little purpose.

    Mick Fealty @ 08:38 AM | Trackbacks (0)

    Saturday, November 25, 2006

    Stone’s early release licence revoked

    As the BBC have reported, the Secretary of State for Wales etc, Peter Hain has revoked Michael Stone’s early release licence, following yesterday’s attempted attack at Stormont, [technically NIO Minister Paul Goggins signed the order - Ed], which will mean that, if Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr accepts the minimum recommended tariff from Stone’s original sentence, he will serve at least a further 18 years in prison.

    Pete Baker @ 09:17 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    Another Slugger exclusive…

    The blogosphere is a free economy. People swap and borrow snippets and insights all the time with one general rule: acknowledge your sources. I notice that Pete’s exclusive translation of Francie Brolly’s remarks in a Swiss French language newspaper got picked up quickly by the BBC and used as one of Donna Trainor’s sharpest questions (14 minutes in, streaming until this evening) on last night’s Newsline.  Possibly too late for today’s papers to give it a substantive mention, we await to see if Pete’s work is acknowledged in the Sunday’s tomorrow.

    Mick Fealty @ 01:51 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    Ministry remains under DUP lock and key, for now…

    Judging from the body language in the car park yesterday there appears to be concern within the DUP over keeping the horses together. They had been by far the most animated party on the Assembly benches, and afterwards, the two statements appear to confirm that the frictions are real enough beneath the surface. However, it is interesting to note that the ‘not in a political lifetime’ quote, widely attributed to Nigel Dodds as evidence of an internal split, was actually taken directly from one of Peter Robinson’s parliamentary contributions, back in May.

    Mick Fealty @ 11:20 AM | Trackbacks (0)

    It is a tale, told by an idiot…

    In the chaos of yesterday’s tumultuous events, a few important snippets came loose. Ian Paisley made a nonsense of the Speaker’s pre-ordained role, by not using a particular form of words that the NIO had assured her would be there. It seems she was legally compelled by the Secretary of State to accept anything Dr Paisley said. We may put in an FOI request to try to clarify the matter. But it also seems that Sinn Fein is determined not to face a damaging election having signed up to policing. Indeed, Slugger understands that Peter Hain and NIO officials have been issuing briefings to the effect that the Ard Fheis may not take place until after the election.

    Mick Fealty @ 10:52 AM | Trackbacks (0)

    Friday, November 24, 2006

    Oh dear….

    A piece of Irish Television history, courtesy of the indispensable TCAL.

    Mick Fealty @ 11:04 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    WiFi needed at Stormont…

    The powers that be at the Assembly should take note of the plans at the Oireachtas to update and modernise facilities for the relatively small Dail chamber. Already TDs can been seen working on their lap tops during sessions, but any future expansion is likely to include “refurbishment of the existing chamber to increase its capacity and introduce modern information technology and other systems”.  When the fun and games were happening at Stormont today, there wasn’t a sniff of a WiFi connection. With the copious technological backup of big media, it was just about the worst place for a blogger to get stuck on such a fascinating news day. Speed the day…

    Mick Fealty @ 10:52 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    Sinn Fein’s policing preconditions, an opportunity for the DUP?

    On BBC Newsline (Realplayer reqd) Conor Murphy has made clear Sinn Fein’s preconditions for the special Ard Fheis:

    “The transfer of policing and justice powers - a timeframe for that, the type of department that those powers will be transferred to.  Those are the issues that need resolved. Those can be resolved quite quickly and allow us to take our decisions on policing.”

    The lack of clarity on the future of the PIRA and the related absence of an exclusion mechanism are among DUP concerns with the St Andrew’s Agreement.  Is there not an obvious quid pro quo? The PIRA disbands. This reduces significantly the need for an exclusion mechanism.  It also boosts public confidence, necessary for devolution of policing and justice powers.

    Fair Deal @ 09:25 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    New Rights for Human Rights Commission

    Another NIO statement, this time on their response to the consultation on extending the powers of the NI Human Rights Commission - full response document here[pdf file].  The statement links this response to the St Andrews Agreement… but the consultation was announced in November 2005, and ended in February this year, and the process has been ongoing since 2001.. ANYway.. there is one main addition to the proposals the government made back in November 2005 - “the power to rely upon the European Convention on Human Rights when bringing judicial proceedings in its own name.”... we are, of course, already well catered for in terms of human rights protections.. Something for the conference to discuss no doubt.

    Pete Baker @ 08:52 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    Will SF ministerial nominees be able to take the pledge on 26th March?

    Elections are to be held on 7th March 2006 (results on 8th March).  Nominations for ministers are to be held on 14th March 2007.  D’hondt is to run and power devolved on 26th March 2006 and ministers expected to take a pledge of office making clear reference to supporting the police.  So says the NIO, the St Andrew’s Agreement and the legislation.  SF has made clear no pledge will be taken until the Ard Fheis has met.  Francis Brolly says a policy shift is reliant on a good election result on 7th March and may be delayed for months after it.  This leaves 18 days to agree, call, hold and win an Ard Fheis, can it be done?

    Fair Deal @ 08:51 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    The optimistic Secretary of State…

    ... for Wales etc, Peter Hain has announced that ”[He has] spoken to the Speaker this afternoon about convening an early session of the Assembly on Monday morning and the Programme for Government Committee will meet at midday.”

    Pete Baker @ 08:32 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    It was for real

    The bombs used in the attack upon Stormont were genuine.  UPDATE The gun was an imitation (hat tip to observer). From the photographs of the incident at Stormont it looks like a version of the Colt Military Model 1911.

    Fair Deal @ 06:02 PM | Trackbacks (1)

    DUPes speaking with two heads?

    Michael Stone’s bungled assassination attempt apart, the news from Stormont today included a seemingly contradictory response from the DUP to the ‘other’ business being conducted at Stormont. Following on from the ‘Nomination’ process in the Chamber this morning, 12 DUP MLAs- including four MPs- hastily agreed a public statement denying that their party had taken part in any process to nominate a team to head up a future power-sharing administration. The statement contradicted the earlier indication from DUP leader Ian Paisley, and is being taken as the first public indicator of a potential rift within the party.

    Chris Donnelly @ 05:22 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    SF plan Ard Fheis decision on policing for post-election date

    While the fudge today continues to be examined, and not withstanding the other drama, word arrives of a case of perhaps too much candour, for his party’s leadership, by SF MLA Francie Brolly.  Speaking to a journalist for the French-language paper Le Temps, apparently before today’s events, he revealed what had been suspected.  Sinn Féin appear to have decided they will not move to support the police before the March election and, perhaps, not until the summer - there doesn’t seem to be anything lost in translation btw.

    “It [SF Ard Fheis on policing] will take place quickly if we obtain a good result in the elections but perhaps only during the marching season.”

    Pete Baker @ 04:12 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    High farce and low farce at Stormont in the rain…

    Extraordinary events at Stormont this morning. Though it was hardly a re-run of Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero Molina’s takeover of the Spanish parliament in 1981. His attempt was organised and involved 200 member of the Civil Guards. Loyalist killer (and visual artist) Michael Stone appeared to be acting on his own.

    Mick Fealty @ 02:15 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    Stormont evacuated

    No, no one has been bored to death, however, BBC’s Stormont Live reported on air that a man walked into Stormont with a bag (have you heard this one?), and as such the alarms were rung. Right in the middle of David Ford’s speech, too. A suspended assembly indeed. More to come later.

    UPDATE: BBC 24 is now reporting a man walked into the foyer claiming to have an incendiary device. It is being suggested he is a loyalist (?). Screams and shouts were heard. ‘A bit of a kerfuffle at the top of the steps’. No evidence that the man actually had any device on him as yet.

    UPDATE 2: Michael Stone is being named as the loyalist who walked in with a bomb.

    Apparently he took the time to spraypaint ‘SINN FEIN IRA WAR’ on the pillars of Stormont before he got caught in the revolving door.

    UPDATE 3: The police are getting out their crime scene tape. Stormont is now a crime scene.

    Trying very hard not to laugh.

    UPDATE 4: BBC 24 is showing tape of the event, it was indeed Michael Stone. Sky News is showing Stone, laying flat on the ground being handcuffed with his legs in the air at the moment. They seem to have the clip on a loop, lol (I shouldn’t be laughing, should I?). It is either on a loop or he is incredibly difficult to pin down. LOL. This is certainly more exciting than the speeches were.

    UPDATE 5: Sky is saying he chucked a rucksack at the security in the foyer. In case you are worried about the MLAs, they are all currently getting soaked by pouring rain as they huddle around the news vans outside.

    You couldn’t make this up. In fact, Reg Empey has just said, ‘Nobody could have written the script for this.’ There you go, Slugger has its finger on the pulse.

    UPDATE 6: More seriously, Sky is now reporting that Stone had a live device, or at least that is what security believed, now they are saying they can’t confirm whether it was a live device or not. Sounds like security was taking precautions as is their job.

    UPDATE 7: People are milling about outside Stormont, the rain seems to have slackened a bit but it is still wet and damp. The bomb squad seems to have arrived. Eyewitness report from a Reuters photographer (as reported to Sky) says Stone pushed his way into the doors, threw the bag at security shouting it was a bomb, smoke and sparks were emanating from the bag. Rumours are flying about guns and knives and people getting hurt but that does not appear to be the case from the video being shown and from commentary from people who were in the reception area when Stone sort of burst in. If you see the clip he doesn’t seem to quite make it all the way into reception, his arms are held stretched, pinning him with his back to the doors.

    Well, it appears now the soundbites are rolling in, and we can pretty much write those ourselves. ‘A stark reminder of the dark days of the troubles and exactly what we are trying to avoid,’ ‘The reality is this, that the stalemate has created a vaccuum that allows for this sort of thing to happen,’ ‘The security arrangements will have to be reviewed, questions need asked…’ you know the drill. As you have a load of reporters standing around with a load of politicians who have nothing to do but mill about, I am sure we will be treated to all sorts of twaddle, until they can resume business. If anything more exciting than that happens, I’ll blog it, otherwise, this is Rusty Nail, signing off.

    Rusty Nail @ 11:15 AM | Trackbacks (1)

    Hain: “I make no apology to you or the people of Northern Ireland”

    Peter Hain was unapologetic this morning about his role in the appointment of the Victims Commissioner: noting that already she had done important work and, significantly, that victims were the one issue that had effectively been ignored in this process. Even though the Historic Enquiry Team was set up to investigate 3000 unsolved cases, it seems unlikely that 30 years on that a relatively passive re-examination of either witnesses or evidence will provide any tangible justice for the broad sweep of victims.  Outside, that is, a tiny handful of cases being pushed assiduously by a single political interest - and almost all of them nationalist.

    Mick Fealty @ 08:53 AM | Trackbacks (0)

    Belfast: “capital of procrastination..”

    Great quote from Peter Hain on BBC Wales, via Seamus McKee this morning. The other great soundbite he had to offer was that it was “either devolution or dissolution”. Aha, the great game of political chicken continues. But it seems, if Mark Devenport is right, that he may actual dilute what is required today (primarily from the DUP) to ‘mood music’ so that it is weak enough to let said party off with a general intention to take up their posts in January, rather than naming their prospective candidates for First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

    Mick Fealty @ 08:41 AM | Trackbacks (0)

    Thursday, November 23, 2006

    Revenge of the residents…

    AFTER the problems caused by students to residents of the Holy Land area of Belfast, and the lack of meaningful action by the two universities to deal with the issue, it seems some locals are taking matters into their own hands. The South Belfast News reports that “a number of student properties have been marked with red-painted crosses which carry the sinister warning that their properties will be damaged or burgled”. Which is apparently just what has already happened to some students…

    Belfast Gonzo @ 11:43 PM | Trackbacks (1)

    A symbolic debate…

    ON Let’s Talk tonight, Free Presbyterian minister Rev David McIlveen suggested (during a debate on British Airways banning staff openly wearing religious symbols) that Christians did not have to wear a crucifix to profess their Christianity. Rev McIlveen disagreed with the BA decision, but to I wonder how his congregation would react if his argument was applied to politics. Is it essential for unionists to openly display symbols to ‘prove’ they are British? It’s not a one-sided argument either, as republicans also demand ‘recognition’ regarding symbols, but at what point does ‘display’ or ‘pride’ become ‘offence’ or ‘taunting’ in Northern Ireland? Or is this really about the insecurity felt by those who invest so much in symbols?

    Belfast Gonzo @ 11:25 PM | Trackbacks (0)

    Armagh’s rock-and-roll poet

    A delightful profile of Paul Muldoon in a recent New York Times magazine…

    Poetic reputations are fragile and fleeting, and often hard to measure. Depending on which critic you listen to, Muldoon, at 55, is “one of the five or so best poets alive,” “the most significant English-language poet born since the Second World War” and a serious contender for the Nobel Prize, or else he is a victim of “pyrotechnical autism” who writes “artificially enriched, overinformed doggerel.” And his literary criticism is even worse. “Bedlam — an associative madness,” the Oxford don Valentine Cunningham said after listening to some of Muldoon’s Oxford lectures.

    Not that Muldoon pays much attention to his critics. He is preoccupied these days with his other careers — as a university administrator and a minor-league rock musician. He sports an Irish-Afro hairdo — an hommage, perhaps, to Heaney’s famously unruly thatch — and he still speaks with an Ulster accent. In fact, he sounds a little like David Feherty, the television golf commentator.

    (Hat-tip to Blogorrah)

    Aaron_Scullion @ 10:08 PM | Trackbacks (0)
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