Weekly Bulletin…
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Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week Housing developers could be asked to pay water costs Under new proposals being considered by the Minister for Infrastructure John O’Dowd housing developers could be …
Sinn Féin’s drop in the southern polls demonstrates the problem of “pre-fab” politics…
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There was a time when I paid more attention to polls than I have over the last six or seven years. To be honest I lost interest in trying to analyse them because with the increased frequency of each publication …
356 registered alcohol-specific deaths in 2022 in Northern Ireland…
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As the famous philosopher Homer once said, “To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems”. That is Homer Simpson, by the way, not the Greek fella. We love the booze in Northern Ireland. Stressed after work? …
Puncturing poison politics: what if Northern Ireland elected MPs using a more proportional electoral system?
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This article is also in English Ag meath pholaitíocht nimhneach: tá córas thoghchánach Mhainistir Thiar níos chionmhairí de dhith orainn. Cúpla mí ó shin, scríobh mé – comhúdar leis an Ollamh Brendan O’Leary – alt san Irish Times, ag déanamh …
George Mitchell says turn that frown upside down…
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I can but assume George must read Slugger as we elevate complaining to an art form here. Speaking to John Manley in the Irish News, he had this to say: “I love Northern Ireland, and I really like the people …
Police. Anti-immigration is bad but anti-catholic is ok?
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The BBC reports that the police took down anti-immigration posters in Rathcoole. From the article: Anti-immigration posters that were put up in the Rathcoole estate should have been removed by the Department for Infrastructure, the Police Service of Northern Ireland …
LCC shunned for East Belfast Irish Language School opposition
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The Loyalist Communities Council has received condemnation from across much of the political spectrum when they intervened on the matter of the new Irish medium language school in East Belfast. According to an article in the ‘Belfast Telegraph’, ‘Representatives from …
Derry is doomed to poor housing unless the inequalities are addressed…
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“I am very much aware of the great demand for housing, especially social housing, and the impact that wastewater capacity issues can have on the delivery of housing supply.” These are the words spoken by Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd, in …
Dear Stormont. Frig away off with your ‘consultations’ and do something!
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I read the Draft Programme for Government, so you don’t have to. It is 88 pages of vacuous waffle. Vague generalities like ‘Our Plan is an ambitious agenda of change for Northern Ireland. We will make it happen by working …
Open Sunday – discuss what you like…
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The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing.