“the motion hasn’t gone away you know!..”

Apparently, now that we are in May and with the deputy First Minister pointing at “Ian junior”, Sinn Féin member, and blogger, Chris Gaskin wants to know what ‘Plan B’ is too. I wouldn’t necessarily hold my breath if I was him.  ANYhoo.. As Chris says here

“Now I bring this up because the 8th of May has come to pass and I have yet to see a public statement on this matter from Sinn Féin.  I’m sure that Republican’s and others are waiting for a response from the Ard Chomhairle, an Ard Chomharle that has been mandated to do so by the supreme governing body of Sinn Féin.  Let’s hope we get an answer soon; the motion hasn’t gone away you know!”

Pete Baker @ 11:12 PM | Comments (1)

Quick.. Look busy!

There was an interesting piece of information included at the start of UTV Live’s report [5min 50s in] on the final day of the US Investment Conference - the scheduled press conference this morning was cancelled.  Apparently, after yesterday’s media blitz, they had nothing left to say. Just as well Gordon Brown, Brian Cowen and Michael Bloomberg were all here yesterday then..

Pete Baker @ 08:15 PM | Comments (2)

Un-Enlightenment - redux

BBC NI’s Will Crawley is having somewhat of a Creation Weekend [to atone for past sins? - Ed].  On Sunday Sequence, 9am Radio Ulster, he will be discussing this “dramatic serialisation” of the Book of Genesis.. and before that he’s visiting the Waterfront Hall where the founder of Answers in Genesis USA, Ken Ham - previously mentioned here - is hosting an 2-day event.  Do tell us if you spot any NI Executive Ministers there, Will.  Some of us like to keep an eye on what they’re up to with the Giants Causeway.. What with The Un-Enlightenment already being promoted elsewhere.. Adds pauljames, in the comment zone, points to this additional piece of information - “Also, please remember all the speakers in your prayers--particularly as Ken will be meeting with members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Government.  He will also be doing interviews with the BBC.”

Pete Baker @ 05:17 PM | Comments (8)

Brassneck: 10th most influential blog in Britain…

So says a recent poll by Editorial Intelligence. For those of you who have not yet tumbled, Brassneck is a blog I have been writing for the Daily Telegraph for the last six months or so. The poll was amongst ‘a self selecting group of individuals from politics, business, media, public life, and academia’ and is detailed within a report jointly commissioned by the Reuters’ Institute and Editorial Intelligence. The report, written by John Lloyd and Julia Hobsbawm is well worth reading, and is available here. Sadly I missed the launch event for unavoidable reasons, but Guido was scathing about the comments aimed at bloggers by some on the platform. 

Mick Fealty @ 03:15 PM | Comments (7)

“Lamh marbh SF ag tachtadh na Gaeilge ó thuaidh…”

Níl áthas mór ag Concubhar Ó Liatháin. Tá sé ag argóint gur “Sinn Féin, an páirtí is glórtha ar son na teanga ó thuaidh ar feadh na mblianta, go fóill ag labhairt go poiblí ar son na Gaeilge.  Ach ní fios céard atá ionadaithe an pháirtí timpeall bord an Rialtais ag rá.” Cuireann sé ceist, cad ar dhein SF. Agus tagann an freagra go soiléir, “faic éifeachtach”! Nó mar a cuir Máirtin i bhfocail é, “ignored by the powers-that-be”.

Mick Fealty @ 12:30 PM | Comments (10)

Devolution and the partial democratic deficit…

According to one senior journalist the former Iron Chancellor looked like a ghost in Belfast yesterday. Such are the dangers of full blown democracy. Gordon Brown got a good old fashioned kicking at the polls last week. A kicking that has put his adminstration on a two year notice. Despite its critics, our half blown version has certainly tied our political parties to some useful work. Despite the rush to judgement in some parts of the media it is likely to take another two years before we find out whether this year’s work is up to scratch… Whatever happens, mandatory coalition means we can’t deprive any of the main parties of their ministerial salaries… More over at Comment is Free...

Mick Fealty @ 09:38 AM | Comments (11)

Slugger talks to Deaglan de Bréadún

In the run up to the Belfast launch of his book ‘The Far Side of Revenge’, we’ll be talking to Deaglan de Bréadún about the peace process, the last year of (finally) settled devolution, and the prospects for Northern Ireland in the future. Tune in at 10.30 when we kick off a half hour of informal chat.

Mick Fealty @ 09:22 AM | Comments (17)

Conditions.. and investments - Redux

Mick mentioned the Hearts and Minds interview with New York City Comptroller, William Thompson.  He opens by futuring on the Investment Conference, but his position on the MacBride principles [3min 40s in] and the Emerald Fund are worth comparing to his previously stated position - noted here. Whereas he had said, of projects selected by the Emerald Fund, “I think that they understand that we are still committed to the MacBride Principles and I think that they’ll make that clear to anybody they’re going to do business with”, he is now stating that, whilst companies the NY Pensions Funds have stocks in will continue to apply the MacBride principles, projects selected by the Emerald Fund will rely on the application of the, “very strong”, “laws that are in place.”

Pete Baker @ 09:46 PM | Comments (10)

Hearts and Minds: reflecting on a year of devolution…

Hearts and Minds will be talking to Professor Joe Lee looking at the progress of the local institutions a year after devolution arrived in what looks like a more durable form than previously. The Nolan Show started on a similar theme this morning, with good contributions from John Simpson, Bill Jeffries and Goretti Horgan (though it seemed to go slightly belly up after my own short piece). Also tonight, the NYC Comptroller seems to think MacBride principles won’t be needed for new start companies here because of the Fair employment legislation is already in place, but it will still hold to for current US companies.

Mick Fealty @ 07:10 PM | Comments (13)

“not perfect and not wholly democratic..”

The press conference following the events in Belfast today, live-streamed online at the time, was very interesting viewing.  The politicians’ set-pieces are still online here. The BBC’s Mark Devenport picks up on the potential problem with Gordon Brown’s ‘pressie’

The Prime Minister did bring one pressie - telling the Executive they could keep the proceeds from sales of their assets to the tune of £2.2 billion. That’s double the current figure. But is this an enormously generous gesture or an injunction to sell off the family silver at a time when the market price is rock bottom?

Executive sources are sceptical about whether they can get anywhere near the £2.2 billion figure. What was clear from Sir David Varney’s recent report is that Belfast port is the big plum Whitehall believes can be plucked from the Executive’s tree. But Stormont ministers are far from certain this would be such a good idea.

The online clip doesn’t include the journalists’ questions at the end.. nor the moment when, just after Taoiseach Brian Cowen had expressed confidence in a stablity provided for through the Belfast and St Andrews Agreements which bind future governments to the agreed arrangements, NI First Minister Ian Paisley wandered off the feel-good script somewhat.  Describing the current administration at Stormont as “not perfect and not wholly democratic, but the best [he] could get for the people of Northern Ireland”, Ian Paisley went on to express a desire to move towards more democratic structures sooner rather than later.. at which point the deputy First Minister intervened and called an end to the press conference citing other engagements for the political couple.

Pete Baker @ 06:36 PM | Comments (26)

SDLP suffering from Durkan’s indecision…

If there is a raging debate going on inside the SDLP it is barely obvious to those on the outside. Yesterday we noted Conall McDevitt laid down an elegant case for the SDLP going on its own. in yesterday’s Irish News, Brian Feeney argued that Mark Durkan’s ‘weakness and indecision’ as a leader is the primary political quality currently defining his party’s future:

Mick Fealty @ 12:10 PM | Comments (56)

“made it clear that you are open to foreign investment..”

On the anniversary of the devolution of our “experimental form of government”, the new Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, flies into Belfast on his first official public engagement.  He’ll meet beleaguered Prime Minister Gordon Brown for lunch and then on to the Assembly to talk to delegates from the investment conference. They’ve already seen video messages from EU President Jose Manuel Barroso and from out-going US President George Bush.

In his message [George Bush] said: “Free market policies have been proven effective in economies across the world, and Northern Ireland has made it clear that you are open to foreign investment.”

Pete Baker @ 11:18 AM | Comments (12)

NUJ: Belfast Telegraph squeezed as ING’s milchcow

Interesting statement from the NUJ in Belfast arguing that Anthony O’Reilly’s Independent Newspaper Group is squeezing the profitable Belfast Telegraph in order to fund the loss making Independent newspaper in London. Their statement follows in full below the fold:

Mick Fealty @ 10:34 AM | Comments (13)

“and that he hoped that next year..”

Whilst the Northern Ireland deputy First Minister has claimed, inaccurately, that his party’s major partners in the mandatory coalition had promised to devolve policing and justice powers by the target date of May - and in the absence of a Plan B there may well be internal party reasons behind his claims - the NI Secretary of State, Paul Goggins, MP, is at least making a case for the devolution of those powers.  From the NIO statement

Addressing delegates at the PSNI’s Superintendents’ Association Annual Conference, the minister [Paul Goggins] said that policies to tackle the wide range of policing and justice issues cannot be developed in isolation and that he hoped that next year, a locally elected and accountable justice minister will attend the conference.

Pete Baker @ 09:33 PM | Comments (32)

DUP reaction to IMC

I have mentioned the DUP reaction to the IMC report previously. I am, however, a little surprised that all that we have had has been Gregory Campbell’s statement last Thursday. Clearly there has been a bank holiday but I did expect additional coverage from them by now. The DUP may feel that after this statement, keeping their collective heads down is the best idea. Again it is not for me to advise the DUP on tactics but I do feel this is a flawed plan.

Turgon @ 07:48 PM | Comments (36)

Newsletter interviews Martin McGuinness

The Newsletter is carrying its report of an interview it has conducted with Martin McGuinness. In this interview he claims the DUP had agreed to the devolution of policing and justice and that he does not know whether or not the IRA army council still exists.

Turgon @ 07:03 PM | Comments (13)

Cowen’s new Cabinet live blog…

6:20 Whilst I work to try and get this thing to work (given up and gone fishing), the first thing of note: Cowen made the Dail wait fifteen minutes and then announced that the debate on his appointment of the government would only be allowed two hours. Kenny and Gilmore have asked for three, with Kenny citing day long debates on past occasions.

RTE pushing out that Batt O’Keefe is to take over Education; Brendan Smith Agriculture; Mary Hanafin goes to Social and Family Affairs. Pat Carey becomes Government Whip… No word on Mary Coughlin, but some speculation that the Donegal SW TD is to become Tanaiste.

Mick Fealty @ 06:06 PM | Comments (10)

Rogha Cowan beagnach ann…

Beidh Brian Cowan ag tabhairt mionchuntas ar a cinneadh cé go mbeadh isteach leis an chomh-aireacht am éigin ina iniadh a se a chlog inniu dar leis Irish Election.  Idir an dá linn, seo rogha Choncubhar...

Mick Fealty @ 04:00 PM | Comments (10)

Labour contemplates the end of Brown

The result of the London Mayoral and local elections in England and Wales have left Labour in disarray. A poll in Times of London this morning does not lend the British Prime Minister much support, and suggests that more than half of all Labour voters want him to leave office now. Over on Brassneck, I’ve argued that whatever happens it look ominously like the beginning of the end for Labour in government. I suspect the NI Tories are enjoying it all... Jenny suggests we keep an eye on BozzaWatch…

Mick Fealty @ 03:42 PM | Comments (8)

SDLP should maintain social democratic identity…

Conall reprints an expanded version of his piece fo Fortnight magazine in defence of retaining the SDLP’s credentials as a discrete social democratic party…

Mick Fealty @ 03:37 PM | Comments (43)

“new taoiseach’s in-tray is heavy with problems..”

Out-going Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s final public engagement wasn’t at the Boyne yesterday, it was at Arbour Hill today where, as RTÉ reports, “along with President Mary McAleese, he attended the national commemoration for the leaders of the 1916 Rising” - More here. The new leader of Fianna Fáil, Brian Cowen, is to be confirmed as the next Taoiseach later today and, while some focus may be on a limited reshuffle of the cabinet, the Irish Examiner’s Paul O’Brien sets out some of the immediate challenges he faces. Adds Fianna Fáil leader, Brian Cowen, elected Taoiseach by 88 votes to 76. And Not such a limited reshuffle after all.

Pete Baker @ 12:45 PM | Comments (10)

Little comfort

The Belfast Telegraph devolution anniversary poll has few crumbs of comfort for embattled Education Minister Catriona Ruane.  While the decision to abolish the 11plus is popular among nationalists a majority are in favour of some form of academic selection in the new set-up and are unimpressed by the Minister’s handling.  Meanwhile SF has removed Catriona’s loyal defender Paul Butler as Education spokesperson and John O’Dowd given the task.  Will O’Dowd continue with the Butler strategy of victimhood? Is it as Devenport asks to shore up Ruane or is SF preparing the ground for her replacement?  O’Dowd does represent an area that operates under the Dixon plan that Newton Emerson argues looks like a natural compromise between the two sides. Update:  McGuinness has ruled out removing her.

Fair Deal @ 09:02 PM | Comments (23)

Gauin tae pick a fecht

Wendy Alexander, Labour Scottish leader, seems to have announced a significant policy shift.  She now wants a referendum on independence and may introduce legislation for it.  However, the formal position of Labour is unclear and the other parties are somewhat bemused about the potential shift.  According to YouGov (buoyed from calling the London elections right) support for independence drops significantly if the option of changes to devolution is included.  Also the underlying strength of Unionist support in Scotland means they begin in the stronger position.  It allows the Unionist parties to take the initiative, pick the timing and leaves the SNP being the party that does not want to let the people speak.

Fair Deal @ 08:28 PM | Comments (55)

“But we’ve had a good run..”

In [one of] his final public engagements before he officially resigns, out-going Taoiseach Bertie Ahern opened a new visitor’s centre on the site of the Battle of the Boyne with the also out-going First Minister Ian Paisley - they both wielded original 17th century swords. RTÉ has all the audio/video links you could want [and more - Ed].  And there are texts of the speeches - Bertie Ahern’s here and Ian Paisley’s here. [Adds Paisley’s full speech here, there’s some reference to religion..].  Although, apparently, Bertie would have liked another year..

Pete Baker @ 04:21 PM | Comments (10)

“the flexibility to move away from four full-time commissioners..”

As the BBC reports here, the Assembly has finally been allowed to start the debate on the Victims Commission Bill and assorted amendments. Sinn Féin’s Francie Molloy futures that “It will ensure a strong and effective Victims Commission..” Mark Devenport rounds up the amendments under discussion.

The proposals would give the First and Deputy First Ministers the option to appoint a Chief Commissioner, without requiring them to do so. The commission could decide some matters by a majority vote, but others, involving finance and its plan of work, would require unanimity. No one with a criminal conviction would be allowed to work for the Commission, unless the First and Deputy First Ministers give their prior approval.

And UTV notes other points of interest.

Pete Baker @ 02:21 PM | Comments (6)