“the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Attorney General and I have therefore agreed…”

The Northern Ireland Attorney General, John Larkin, has been complaining about his lack of powers of supervision over the Public Prosecution Service since he was appointed in May 2010.  It was, he said at the time, “something that should be urgently looked at”. The NI Justice Minister, David Ford, responded on 7 June 2010 that he intended “to start discussions with the First Minister and deputy First Minister on whether the relationship the law sets down between the new Attorney General and …

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Sinn Fein’s defence of the appointments can’t be the last word

Well which is it?  A Robinson- McGuinness-led  joint move to take over the centre ground as well as the “extremes,” or a new wave of sectarian politics? I ask genuinely because I can’t be sure but hesitantly because I fear the sound of grinding axes. The lack of cool analysis so far suggests uncertainty over how to rate SF defiance of unionist sensibilities. Trite reactions like “moving on” are clearly not appropriate and serve only to irritate further. The Sinn …

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GAA’s player fund to run foul of gender laws?

In this morning’s Irish Times, trouble brewing for the GAA: “Under the scheme, announced last January, the all-male Gaelic Players Association (GPA) will receive €8.75 million to support its player-welfare schemes and other operations. But the Equality Authority has informed the GAA’s inclusion and integration committee that the plan “contravenes discrimination legislation on the gender ground”. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and …

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POTD – Titanic Quarter

Seen from the Lagan Boat Company boat Mona. Yesterday was the 100th anniversary of the launching of the Titanic hence the White Star liner flag. The Titanic tour is well worth the effort and cruising around the harbour is a pleasant way to spend and hour and a half whilst hearing of the history of the shipyard. Moochin PhotomanPhotographer and visual artist based in Belfast. I have facilitated community based workshops with groups as diverse as visually impaired individuals in …

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Devolution – the Respect Agenda

 The Devolved leaders’ statements from Scotland Alex Salmond, Carwyn Jones, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuiness set their stall for next week’s Joint Ministerial Committee meeting. There’s a bit of tension between Salmond and Jones on the next steps. To use one of those terrible business phrases it’s important to be on the same page….maybe I’m reading too much into it but unlike the FM and dFM Jones didn’t thank Salmond for his hospitality. Anyway – again from the BBC here’s …

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