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Books
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Is Fianna Fail the new Woolworths of Irish politics?
It’s not published until 3rd March, but one book I recommend you place an advance order for from Slugger’s Bookstore is James Harkin’s Niche. Belfast émigré Harkin examines a number of stories from business, culture and politics and comes to a single insight: everywhere the broad middle is collapsing. He offers Woolworths as an iconic exemplar [...] read our review »
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The Imperfectionists (Tom Rachman) – an insight into a newspaper that’s maybe not so fictional
‘news’ is often a polite way of saying ‘editor’s whim’ Given the shift from print to online and e-ink, maybe Tom Rachman’s The Imperfectionists was a suitable first first book for me to finish reading on the Kindle. Considering the economic pressures on the newspaper industry, his novel perhaps captures the spirit and soul of [...] read our review »
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Children of the Revolution (Bill Rolston)
What was life like for children of political activists during the Troubles? A new book by Bill Rolston and published by Guildhall Press during the summer has collected together the stories of twenty Children of the Revolution whose parents’ activities – and in many cases, imprisonment – had a significant affect on childhoods and life [...] read our review »
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Comment on Can’t pay? Won’t understand.
on 14 December 2010 at 4:05 pm
It is still 9% of your total income if we can believe this thread. On my calculations that would come out a 157.5 per month on a salary of 21k. That will substantially impact upon the level of mortgage you can afford in later life. Never mind car loans, school fees etc. Those whose parents can write off the loan or buy their offspring a Merc for Xmas will have a significant advantage, of course.
In addition, there are living expenses to be included while you are at University. Little wonder less well off young people are feeling in the firing line. If you have nothing to start off with there is a real disincentive to go for HE.
Also, we are seeing the introduction of a multi-tier university system – the more you can pay, the better your education. Fairness went out the window with the Tories.
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Comment on Sinn Fein should not be allowed to escape the ban on double mandates
on 14 April 2010 at 8:05 pm
Actually the point of this is that we are still not in a position that recognises the current federal nature of the British state.
We are half way up a long road that leads to a federal republic, but still clinging to the debris that used to be imperial Westminster.
We need to have the position of devolved Ministers recognised at Westminster, by them being given right of access and a vote in the Commons Chamber.
It is farcical, for instance, that Sammy Wilson might not be able to confront a future Government determined to cut the NI Budget. Umagine a non- MP NI Minister for Finance sitting impotently in the Strangers’ Gallery.
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Comment on South Antrim report: The most marginal of them all?
on 8 April 2010 at 3:37 pm
This ties up a lot of loose ends for Reg ( Westminster, leadership, Tory link, pos Ministerial post at Westminster, factional fighting at local level, actually winning a seat).
It’s likely he’ll win and win well, the seat was always a UUP banker. It was only lost because of the backlash against Trimble. The only “query” there is about it is in the length of time it took them to grasp the nettle.
It is now Reg’s to lose.
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Comment on Belfast’s ‘Magic Jug’?
on 29 March 2010 at 9:33 pm
The busker at the back of Boots will be pleased.
They could light up the water spout every hour to match the jingly bells from the Fountain centre.
One problem they haven’t considered is that it’s on a thoroughfare for unloading vans and lorries in the morning ( even though it’s supposed to be pedestrianised ). There are regular snarl ups on the ccorner with college st and it looks like this is right in the middle of the intersection. You take your life in your hands just walking out of Lunns’ arcade before 9.30 as it is.
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Comment on Human Rights minefield
on 26 March 2010 at 5:45 pm
Well, we have to have a Bill of Rights as part of the GFA – that goes without question. Cameron, should he start to improve his performance in the key marginals, will have to provide.
The question for NI, has always been what form should the Bill take. The UUP and DUP want to restrict it to a couple of clauses on the aftermath of the troubles. SF and SDLP want a more comprehensive bill that can drive a progressive agenda on social and economic rights.
Forget the Human Rights lobby, it’s the Assembly that have to make the compromise, The DUP / UUP need to come to an agreement with SF and the SDLP ( and others ) on this.
There has, however, been little if any engagement in order to approach a compromise between the parties, and I have to say that the UUP and DUP singularly failed to offer compromise in the Bill of Rights Forum, when they tried to strangle what was essentially a talking shop with a unionist procedural veto.
There has been a rather facile arguement ( headed up by the unspeakably absurd NIO ) that existing legislation offers human rights protections – they do not, they are amendable without the protection of a Bill of Rights. The BOR completes the circle of protection.
We can relatively easily produce a Bill that consolidates rights, and includes NI specific additions. We can also, for instance, offer additional protection to workers threatened by a global down turn.
But that isn’t really the point. Where the focus has been on the Bill tying the hands of future governments and threatening the public finances, there is the opportunity to define rights which are aspirational and rights which are absolute. It may even be possible to agree a process whereby, in the future, the Assembly may extend justiciable rights as it sees fit.
Perhaps this is where the compromise can begin, but where is the driver to deliver the initial engagement.
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Comment on “any of our Assembly Members elected to Westminster will give up their Assembly seats”
on 26 March 2010 at 3:43 pm
Time to bite the bullet and allow speaking rights for Ministers from devolved Assemblies at Westminster. It is the only way to resolve these questions, how else can the sovereignty of the devolved parliaments be recognised at Westminster?
Should we expect a future NI Finance Minister to catch the budget debate from the Strangers’ Gallery?
No need for oaths or forelock touching, but Ministers there as of right
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Comment on Lady Hermon resigns from UUP for independent candidate status
on 25 March 2010 at 7:27 pm
O’Neil,
You should also consider her committee work ( which TWFY do cover ) and general influence, which is very high with the government ( and less so presumably with the opposition now).
Participation in debate is the weakest measurement of all in terms of success in parliament, particularly as the timetable is by and large set by HMG in order to pass English legislation.
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Comment on “The toothpaste is out of the tube…”
on 23 March 2010 at 9:50 pm
Other announcements ?
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Comment on For the Catholic Church. the answer lies in neither bigotry nor public inquries
on 18 March 2010 at 7:40 pm
Interesting – or incriminating ?
“Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s . . .”
I can’t help but think that the church believed it had this all sewn up. Abuse reported to the church is investigated, complainants sworn to silence, priest moved into a life of contemplation – and that’s it.
There is even a statute of limitations of 10 years after the victim reaches the age of 18. A statute of limitations that can only be waived if the Bishop were to request it. Very cosy.
And, of course, it is hard on any Bishop as he will look upon the perp as a son.
There is no justice there, so back to Caesar . . .
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Comment on “It was no longer appreciated that the structure as a whole comprised two separate components”
on 12 March 2010 at 10:13 pm
Are there any more of these lego constructions around the country ?
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