Profile for Quintin Oliver
Lobbyist, in and from N. Ireland, change agent; social justice and conflict resolution, alongside the arts and good malt.
Latest comments from Quintin Oliver (see all)
Quintin Oliver has commented 26 times (0 in the last month).
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Books
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Book Review: The McGurk’s Bar Bombing
Tweet The McGurk’s Bar Bombing: Collusion, Cover-Up and a Campaign for Truth with a foreword by Colin Wallace, just published by Frontline Noir, is the first book by Ciarán MacAirt, grandson of one of those killed in the bombing and the most visible campaigner on behalf of the victims and their families. The book pulls together the [...] read our review » -
What has The Third Man got to say about Northern Ireland?
Tweet Short answer: very little, other than he enjoyed the environs of Hillsborough Castle, enjoyed working with the local politicians, and has Gerry Adams to thank for Bobby his dog. Peter Mandelson’s book The Third Man has captured media headlines in recent weeks as the Times serialised the most juicy bits. But what did he [...] read our review »
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John Laird for Christmas?
Tweet John Laird (Lord Laird of Artigarvan) is unionism’s jester. His memoir A Struggle To Be Heard ” by a True Ulster Liberal” (from Slugger’s shop on Amazon here) might serve more as a heavy stocking filler than anybody’s idea of a main present. In it he wears the masks of comedy and tragedy to turn [...] read our review »
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Comment on Political Drama: What Drama?
on 24 April 2013 at 9:32 pm
Yes, Scáth Shémais, you’re right, both @BelfastFilmFes1 and @TheMacBelfast (and others, of course) played critical roles in supporting and helping this endeavour…we are all grateful for the various partnerships that oil the wheels of debate, contestation and argument.
So, let’s continue that disputatious discourse…
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Comment on Newcastle feels the chill wind that may soon blow Northern Ireland’s way?
on 28 February 2013 at 11:42 am
Tell me, was there a public consultation element to the story?
We at http://www.consultationinstitute.org have been following library reconfigurations over recent months – lots of ‘less than ideal’ practice taking place, sometimes ending up in expensive and inconclusive Judicial Reviews…
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Comment on The Sad State of North Belfast’s Riverside
on 21 February 2013 at 3:56 pm
Great travelogue, Gerry, thanks.
I used to cycle this route sometimes, out to Jordanstown and on to Carrick but the unremittingly windy, bleak, shabby, grey, colourless, dirty and slightly menacing atmosphere defeated my resilience, so I tend to take the alternative route along the Lagan up river to the tow path and on to Lisburn.
Shame. I agree with your prognosis; and while I’m here, can I direct you to the Foyle, where the riverside path has been improved but is still broken by Fort George (another great iconic tale of failed regeneration) and then by the coal yard, thereby blocking any city’s strong riverside assets.
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Comment on #Gay Marriage: Who says you can’t have religious symbols? The Law
on 20 February 2013 at 12:53 pm
At the risk of being pedantic, what if you are a heterosexual couple, who reject the institution of marriage (religious or civil)?
No civil partnership options are available to deal with parenting, pensions or inheritance…
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Comment on Unionist voters exercising performance-based accountability while nationalists vote along ethno-national indicators
on 14 February 2013 at 5:30 pm
I was horribly late for this #VotersFirst seminar, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the (veggie for me) lunch, Tweeting and Twit-pic-ing, and networking happily with guests… so thanks, Alan, for filling in all the gaps – you should come to every seminar about and deliver this excellent service more widely!
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Comment on The NI Planning Bill 2013: A goldmine for lawyers, a field day for objectors and a mess for the rest of us?
on 1 February 2013 at 3:10 pm
Can I throw in a point about the public consultation elements of this?
(Declaring an interest, of course, as Chair of http://www.consultationinstitute.org )
First, consultation is not a vote; it is a ‘consultation’ (fresh ideas, option appraisal, testing, balance of opinion)
Second, N. Ireland is the most consulted part of this planet – do we need more? Can’t we do it better, instead?
Third, the last place you want to end up is in the courts – that only examines the *process* rather than the *content* of the subject at hand.
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Comment on #CATNI: Empowering Communities – Asset Transfer in Northern Ireland
on 29 January 2013 at 2:39 pm
What are ‘hotseating’ speakers, I wonder?
Sounds suitable for this time of year…
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Comment on The modest case for the Assembly in 2013
on 20 December 2012 at 11:21 am
Brian and Mick (and anyone else listening!),
But isn’t that because everyone was genuinely surprised by the spontaneity and vigour of the response – including the paramilitaries (‘move over, grandad’), the political parties (‘we are in office, so we are the people’) and the media (‘we covered last year’s East Belfast disturbances…’).
I am struck by the youth, naivete and vehemence of the emerging spokespeople for the protests – a typical double-edged sword?
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Comment on The modest case for the Assembly in 2013
on 20 December 2012 at 9:28 am
At the risk of being thought to be naive in retrospect, might I reprise a piece I wrote ‘In Defence of Politics’ for http://www.thedetail.tv a few months back, reprinted in http://www.ulsterbusiness.com and played out on Nolan with Alex Kane…
See it at http://www.thedetail.tv/columns/comment/in-defence-of-politics
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Comment on Social Innovation on different scales
on 25 October 2012 at 7:55 pm
I observed the Hangout, too – fascinating debate, bringing in new players and stretching the often sterile discourse on this topic. Well done.
Business skills are an often overlooked component of success – just look at Bryson, Simon Gordon, and the wonderful Scots woman who runs mypolice. But without creativity / innovation, AND enterprise AND a good purpose, the three-legged stool won’t stand up.
Do we have too many two-legged operators?
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