Slugger O'Toole

Gary McDonald reports (subscription) on the continuing under performance of Northern Ireland: “It will take ‘another generation’ for Northern Ireland’s economy to move away from its reliance on the public sector, forecasters warned yesterday. Although the north’s economy should grow ‘slightly faster’ this year than in 2002, the region’s economic activity rate will remain the poorest of all the UK regions.” Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

David Gordon with a fairly comprehensive recapitulation of the last few months of the feud. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

We don’t always get the chance to pass by Portadown-on-the-web, but this week’s issue is one of the best yet. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

The Times is not renowned as a leading criticism of Unionism, but it seems the dangers of the Loyalist feud has led it to make this rather stinging criticism of the leadership in Unionism: “Responsibility rests with local politicians. David Trimble complained yesterday about “some in the Unionist leadership which over the last few years has emphasised only negativity, that it kept on drumming into people”. This was a legitimate swipe at the Democratic Unionist Party but is relevant to …

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Sharon O’Neill reports that most of the new recruits to the part time Police Reserve will be Catholic. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

This work by Ulster academic Arthur Aughey takes a longer distance look at the changes in the UK since in 1997 and what it might imply for the British identity. Reviewer Stefan Wolff remarks: “…the recent devolution of power to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has created a degree of uncertainty in which the very and continued existence of the United Kingdom is and can no longer be taken for granted with its former sources of pride (the Commonwealth, the …

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Síleann Robert McMillan go bhfuil an greim den fear mhór ar a pháirtí fein ag éirí lag: “Tuairiscítear go gcaithfidh gach ráiteas a eisítear ar son an DUP dul fríd oifig lár an pháirtí. Ach ó tharla gur thug Hay an chaint, tchím féin é mar chomhartha go bhfuil greim grise an pháirtí ag éirí lag. Le dul in aois Ian Paisley, níl sé le feiceáil nó le cluinstin oiread agus ba ghnách. Tá seo ag tabhairt spáis do bhaill …

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The Andersonstown News articulates a Republican view of what’s required from the negotiations: “A bold move, such as withdrawing 5,000 troops immediately and closing down their surveillance watchtowers (or relocating them to areas like Rathcoole and the Lower Shankill which are racked by violence) is needed from the security brass who have undermined the peace process thus far by their foot-dragging and begrudgery.” Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Newshound has its top story links to a possible historic movement from the IRA. But Richard Hass warns that it will amount to nothing if it is not acceptable to Unionists. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

The BBC’s Brian Rowan suspects that the end is nigh for the low level conflict that threatened to rip the UDA apart. Last night’s flit from the Lower Shankill and the defection of 100 members of Adair’s C Company may have sealed the end of the rogue outfit. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

John Meehan reviews last week’s documentary on Gerry Adams and detects a few holes in the fabric. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Ginko Kobayashi reports on the ways in which integrated education is beginning to affect ordinary life in NI. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Is an interesting pressure group that runs conferences and publishes a magazine. It has an interesting collection of contributors, including John A Murphy, Stephen Plowden, Gary Kent. There’s also a controversial article enlarging on Mary Robinson’s suggestion that Ireland thinks about re-joining the Commonwealth by British Labour MP Harry Barnes. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Richard Haass keeps his upbeat tone. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Brian Feeney excoriates the under-performance of Unionist MPs in speaking out over the lawlessness of Loyalist paramilitaries. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Snapshot accounts of a political party’s fortunes are notoriously fickle, for instance many people wrote the DUP off after the anti Agreement group lost the argument in the referendum on the Belfast Agreement. However Jack Holland reports on what he thinks is a low point for Republican Sinn Fein. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Peter Robinson has argued that though devolved government hold potential benefits for NI, 108 MLAs was effectively more that it could afford. He suggested instead downsizing to 72 members. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

It looks like some of Johnny Adair’s closest supporters have fled for Scotland from the very area that 150 families associated with the rival UVF were evacuated just over 2 years ago. The funerals of the two UDA men presumed to have been killed last Saturday by Adair’s C Company takes place today. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

Paul Dunne used to blog on a daily basis and now produces an issue once a week. And this time he is blogging with some (nationalist) gusto! Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.

After warnings were issued to Johnny Adair’s remaining allies within the UDA, the jailed breakaway leader of C Company appears to have been completely isolated. Slugger O'TooleA general account used for the daily threads and other things.