Slugger O'Toole

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Latest posts from Pete Baker (see all)

Pete Baker has posted 5,761 times (33 in the last month).

Masterplan for Girdwood: “back to the sectarian drawing board…”

Wed 23 May 2012, 2:44pm

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The Northern Ireland First and deputy First Minsters recently announced the second round of funding, £1.5million, available from the Executive and Atlantic Philanthropies’ ‘Contested Spaces’ Programme, although I’m still not entirely clear where the other £2.5million went… The announcement, in the absence of a “Cohesion, Sharing and Integration” strategy, rebranded, and “watered down” to the “lowest commmon denominator“, [...] more »

Euro crisis: “With that we buried the Maastricht Treaty, the legal basis for currency union”

Tue 22 May 2012, 3:32pm

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A couple of interesting reports in the Irish Times with relevance to the ongoing euro crisis.  First, from Derek Scally in Berlin …Mr Asmussen, a member of the ECB governing council, said growth measures – agreed without reopening the fiscal treaty – could help drive European integration. “The benefits of a currency union are so [...] more »

Euro crisis: “the quadriga is a perfect symbol of how confused and contested that project has become”

Sun 20 May 2012, 10:11pm

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Tim Garton Ash asked, “Who wishes to address the assembly?“.  Will Self has a point of view on the euro crisis and the European Project’s democratic deficit.  You can listen to his Radio 4 Point of View here.  From the accompanying BBC Magazine article That these same politicians were afflicted by a strange sort of [...] more »

Euro crisis: “Tis agoreuein bouletai?”

Thu 17 May 2012, 8:02pm

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At the Guardian’s Comment is Free, Tim Garton Ash is still a believer in the European Project but, probably, not an optimistic one.  As well as mentioning a familiar quote from Luxembourg’s Prime Minister he makes an important point, as Greece faces a democratic choice, again, that applies to the wider euro crisis.  From the Comment is Free article Greece’s untold, [...] more »

Latest comments from Pete Baker (see all)

Pete Baker has commented 7,667 times (51 in the last month).

1. Comment on SDLP needs a story that makes its opponents more uncomfortable than it does themselves..
   on 23 May 2012 at 9:27 pm

   “Slugger has heard complaints about the SDLP, particularly in Derry, championing the cause of dissidents like Marian Price from Sinn Fein sources also”

   Mick

   Not that your Sinn Féin sources would be at all disingenuous and/or hypocritical… Marian Price refused to meet a Sinn Féin delegation to the prison recently.

   Here’s the Sinn Féin TD, Dessie Ellis, in Dáil Written Answers on 16 May 2012

   67. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the work he is undertaking to encourage the release of a person (details supplied) under the terms of the Weston Park Agreement. [24355/12]

   Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore): It is our understanding that the prisoner in question has initiated legal proceedings to secure an early release and judgment on this is pending. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage other than to confirm that officials from my Department continue to monitor developments very closely.

   And, if it’s not abundantly clear which “person (details supplied)” he’s referring to, compare the answer to the more explicit questions from Socialist Party, and Independent, TDs from Dublin on 22 May.

   Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore): I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 163 and 182 together.

   The various measures included in the package agreed at Weston Park in August 2001 addressed four issues to assist in the successful implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: policing, normalisation, the stability of the institutions and decommissioning.

   Proposed draft legislation by the British Government to deal with this specific issue as referred to in paragraph 20 of the Weston Park accord was formally withdrawn by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain MP, on 11 January 2006. The draft legislation, the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, had been opposed by the majority of the Northern Ireland Assembly parties and the Secretary of State was compelled to withdraw the legislation when the only supporting party, Sinn Féin, could not accept certain aspects of the proposed legislation. The Government remains committed to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

   On the particular issue of securing early release for Mr. McGeough, it is our understanding that the prisoner in question has initiated legal proceedings to secure an early release and judgment on this is pending. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage other than to confirm that officials from my Department continue to monitor developments very closely.

   Some of those Dublin TDs have also been known to ask about other imprisoned dissenting republicans…

   But I’m sure Sinn Féin in Dublin feel equally “less comfortable” as they do in Londonderry.

   Mind you, Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív has been asking questions too – 28 February 2012.

   127. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason he is not pressing that an agreement made between the Irish Government and the British Government be implemented in full, and as agreed at Weston Park, that no further prosecutions and consequently prison sentences will be imposed on those who committed offences before 10 April 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10899/12]

   And questions about Gerry McGeough’s case even made it to the House of Commons, where a Labour MP has raised the topic

   John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received on the case of Gerry McGeough. [107960]

   Mr Paterson: I receive correspondence on a wide range of issues, including the case of Gerry McGeough.

   John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the implications for the peace process in Northern Ireland of the continued incarceration of Gerry McGeough; and if he will make a statement. [107961]

   Mr Paterson: Mr McGeough’s appeal against the judgment in the Government’s favour in his judicial review is due to be heard by the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal in June. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further pending the final resolution of that matter.

   John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will review the case of Gerry McGeough under paragraph 20 of the Good Friday Agreement. [107964] [added emphasis]

   Mr Paterson: Paragraph 20 of the Good Friday Agreement bears no relation to the case of Mr McGeough.

   [Wrong agreement John - Ed] Indeed.

   Go to comment

2. Comment on Euro crisis: “With that we buried the Maastricht Treaty, the legal basis for currency union”
   on 22 May 2012 at 9:20 pm

   Seymour,

   Read it again. You owe Mr Scally an apology.

   In the extract I’ve quoted he’s reporting, to his usual excellent standard, the views of Jörg Asmussen of the ECB governing council.

   Even more significant, perhaps, although I felt constrained to include it in my original post, are the comments from Mr Asmussen’s predecessor at the ECB, Jürgen Stark. See the comment above by Dennis Cooper.

   Go to comment

3. Comment on Euro crisis: “With that we buried the Maastricht Treaty, the legal basis for currency union”
   on 22 May 2012 at 7:21 pm

   Neither.

   Go to comment

4. Comment on Euro crisis: “With that we buried the Maastricht Treaty, the legal basis for currency union”
   on 22 May 2012 at 4:06 pm

   Adds And from the Guardian’s Eurozone crisis live-blog

   Alexis Tsipras [the leader of Greece's anti-austerity Syriza coalition] wound up his press conference in Berlin by warning that Europe could be dragged into another military conflict if the economic crisis really deteriorates:

   Kate Connolly @connollyberlin

   #Tsipras: we need to learn from history or face prospect of another world war. Dialogue is key to progress. Press conf ends after 1 hr

   And while Tsipras was taking in Berlin, one of his economic advisers was telling Joel Hills of Sky News that Syriza would not seek to withdraw Greece from the eurozone without a referendum (and, of course, it’s current position is that Greece should remain in the euro, but with a ‘better’ financial programme)

   Go to comment

5. Comment on Trouble at t’Mill for Frau Nein?
   on 22 May 2012 at 12:03 am

   Gerry

   That’s a long and rambling way of describing the democratic deficit of the European Project previously addressed here.

   As for “look at France. The election there was effectively a referendum on austerity”.

   Puh..lease.

   Go to comment

6. Comment on The Hain contempt case: a warning to England from Northern Ireland
   on 19 May 2012 at 6:11 pm

   Nicholas

   The relevant links can be found in this post.

   Including excerpts from the original ruling

   And the 67 questions are here.

   Also of interest may be the subsequent Scott report.

   And the outcome of Peter Hain’s appeal of the original ruling.

   Go to comment

7. Comment on “I do apologise for anyone who misunderstood the way I was using the metaphor…”
   on 19 May 2012 at 12:37 am

   “at least 3 others at the meeting who she said confirmed Martin did indeed mention Brady”

   Which is a long way short of the reported leak from the confidential Executive meeting.

   Unless someone is prepared to stand up and detail chapter and verse of what was said you’re left with a he said/she said report.

   Frankly, at this point, I’m more inclined to believe Sinn Féin’s corrective.

   Not least because the arrogance of McGuinness asking “Mr Ford to ensure the PSNI cooperated with if there was to be a cross-border inquiry” is more believeable.

   Was there any question that they wouldn’t co-operate?

   Go to comment

8. Comment on Brian McLaughlin: ‘Heineken Cup Final’ swan song
   on 19 May 2012 at 12:08 am

   “Your captions and comments are welcomed”

   Well, I’d suggest that you should have read Michael’s post before attempting your cartoon version.

   Despite plaudits for his recruitment, Humphreys has got flak in the media for his ruthless approach towards Ulster coach, Brian McLaughlin and this provides a fascinating sub-plot to the final. McLaughlin will be replaced next season by relatively unknown New Zealander, Mark Anscombe who was announced as the person who will “take Ulster to the next level”.

   It seems difficult to take a team to the next level when you have reached a Heineken Cup final… but wind the clock back to last October and there were some pretty dire performances from an Ulster team who have a good first XV, but when that isn’t on the field, the rest of the squad doesn’t have the same experience or quality.

   Getting to the next level and competing consistently at the top level will require a higher level of performance from the entire squad and that will be Anscombe’s challenge.

   Go to comment

9. Comment on Hain ‘clarifies’ comments in contempt of court case
   on 17 May 2012 at 9:02 pm

   As I said in the original post

   Eamonn Mallie’s April conversation with legal-eagle MLAs Alban Maginness and Jim Allister may prove instructive.

   Go to comment

10. Comment on Hain ‘clarifies’ comments in contempt of court case
    on 17 May 2012 at 8:06 pm

    Nevin

    Pay attention to the point BiteBack studiously neglected to mention

    The publishers said a footnote would be inserted in a future edition of the book, containing Hain’s clarification.

    Go to comment