Danny Morrison on Unionist speculation over the exclusion of Sinn Fein. “When the first IRA cessation was announced in August 1994 loyalists jubilantly painted on gable walls that the IRA had surrendered. Unionists, such as Sir Reg Empey, claimed that …

Paul Bew in the FT today says: “Mr Trimble’s critics have one big weakness: they do not have a clue what to do next. They dream about a form of devolution that denies Sinn Féin a place in the administration …

It seems that all parties have accepted the legitimacy of the policing board, all but for Sinn Fein. Even implacable opponents like the GAA have lifted their ban on Northern security forces from playing the game, and it is to …

Henry McDonald reports that Sinn Fein were on board for the introduction of the proposed new post, until the IRA finally vetoed it.

Despite Duncan Shipley Dalton’s decision to quit politics, Ronan Fanning notes there are passionate and strident voices within the UUP willing to sell the benefits of the Belfast Agreement but that Trimble may not have the stomach for such strident …

Looks like the GAA might be in danger of losing €60million, because of the failure to build a national stadium for the proposed joint Irish-Scottish bid for the soccer European Championship: “..the GAA’s chances of still getting the money have …

Alex Attwood launches an offensive against Sinn Fein. Blair says Policing levels are crucial. Anthony McIntyre highlights the dilemma one man finds himself in; under threat from Loyalists and Republicans over what appears to be a dispute between families and …

Despite the rejection of the Alliance party proposal for a ceasefire monitor by the IRA, it looks like it might go ahead regards of the thoughts of the Republican movement. Though as the Examiner points out, “Whatever transpires, it is …

Interesting piece from from BBC correspondent Brian Walker. The meeting in question is a yearly coming together of politicians, community workers and various classes of academics and is held under confidentiality rules. He highlights one particularly interesting thought: “…community workers …

Unionist commentator Steven King, who has had an interesting, if very indirect, public tennis match with Peter Robinson in the last few weeks (see here and here), raises some important points in last night’s Belfast Telegraph. Addressing the dissidents in …