Reg Empey on the inner workings of the Executive, posited more evidence of the ‘ruling cabal’ inside the Executive:
“Not always, but more often than not, the DUP and Sinn Fein go into Ian Paisley’s office before Executive meetings to discuss their agreed approach to the agenda and leave myself, Michael (McGimpsey) and Margaret (Ritchie) sitting waiting. On one occasion it was as long as half-an-hour. Any other coalition in the world would break down in such circumstances.”
He wants a meeting between all party leaders on the matter, which interestingly would imply the involvement of two who currently operate outside the aegis of the Executive: Mark Durkan and Gerry Adams…
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty