Belfast Gonzo

THE NUJ has blasted Ian Paisley’s criticism of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act being used by “lazy journalists who will not do any work” (what has got to hide?) The Tele is challenging Assembly politicians to spell out their position on freedom of information, while journalists will be taking part in an event on November 5 (remember, remember…) at Stormont to ‘stand up for journalism’ in the face of a government that would prefer it if awkward questions just …

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THE Education Minister looks likely to be heading for a Dickson Plan-type substitute for the current transfer arrangements. This would mean key educational decisions being taken at 14, when children are more informed about where they want to go. It seems likely unions and other parties can buy into this, although the grammar school lobby will oppose such plans. Lisa Smyth reports: On possible replacements for the 11-plus, Caitriona Ruane has spoken of her desire to see Ulster pupils make …

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AFTER the cracks in the Executive finally split on Tuesday, political commentator David Adams made some astute comments on Talkback on the lack of joint responsibility in the enforced coalition. While I don’t have a copy of his script, he noted the lack of clear lines between ministerial autonomy and collective responsibility. For example, Sinn Fein seemed to have no idea in advance of the DUP Culture Minister’s ‘decision’ to bin the Irish language bill. But did Poots even make …

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THE statement released by the Executive following yesterday’s meeting is copied below, with the sections related to the funding of the UDA’s Conflict Transformation Initiative in bold.STATEMENT FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE MEETING ON THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER 2007 The Executive has been committed to no privatisation of water and tackling the injustice of double taxation. In that context they considered a report from the Independent Review Panel on Water and Sewerage Charges and agreed on a way forward which will provide a better …

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AS speculation grows that Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie’s announcement on whether funding destined for the UDA’s favoured community scheme will go ahead or not is imminent, I wonder if she’ll get much political cover for her decision. Alliance’s David Ford points out how her Executive colleagues (especially the DUP and Sinn Fein) have already hung her out to dry. The NIO did the same, with Woodward shafting her in an equally sneaky fashion and providing the UDA with cover, …

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PUPILS at a Kerry school are protesting against its all-Irish policy, as, according to the Indo, ‘they are finding it difficult to learn because it is not their first language and they are not fluent in the language’. One parent said: “”A lot of them in class feel that they don’t understand what’s being taught to them. They’re having difficulty with the strict all-Irish policy. They feel it’s very restrictive and don’t fully understand what’s happening within the class.” Belfast …

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AND it came to pass in the year 2007, that verily, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in Ballymoney, and said, “Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see all manner of evils, terrorists in government and the end of all flesh before me. Build me another Ark and save two of every living thing, along with a few good Free Presbyterians.” (Chapter 2 below the fold.)And lo, He gave Noah the CAD …

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SOME footage of the confrontation between the police and a closing-time crowd in Derry last weekend can be seen in this Youtube vid. Some Polish guys express their bemusement here. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

THE chairman of the Ulster Bank Group, Dr Alan Gillespie, has called for a merger between the two inward investment promoters – Northern Ireland’s Invest NI and the Republic’s Industrial Development Agency. The former chairman of the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board (Invest NI’s predecessor) said: “I believe that to market Northern Ireland effectively we should align the inward investment marketing activities of Invest Northern Ireland (INI) with the Republic of Ireland’s IDA. We should promote an all-island economy through …

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LAST week marked the end of a virtually-unnoticed historic trial, as it marked the end of the first case in 20 years where police informers gave evidence in court here. It was also significant in that someone caught with a kilo of speed (amphetamine) was allowed to walk free from court. Surprisingly, no comment has appeared in the media about the trial’s conclusion. What is perhaps less surprising is that all charges involving UDA membership had been dropped long ago, …

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THE Pat Finucane Centre last week published a previously secret Army report from September 1971 about its operation to take control of the streets in west Belfast. According to the report – written by the British Army Commander of Land Forces, General Robert Ford, for the attention of the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Michael Carver – four soldiers died in the ‘successful’ operation and 10 people were killed, although only two were in the IRA, republicans say. …

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IAN Paisley must be the last person you’d think would back two women who were drowned at the stake rather than utter the words: ‘God save the King’. But yesterday in Scotland the First Minister told of how his firebrand Protestantism was influenced by the Covenanter martyrs, perhaps another illustration of how the idea of Ulster loyalty to the Crown is a highly conditional form of allegiance. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

WHILE problems with sectarian posts are not something Slugger can claim to have avoided, the BBC’s Talk Back messageboard was forced into a U-turn yesterday after a commenter complained about a thread entitled ‘Breeding like rabbits’. Initially, the complainant was told the title “did not contravene house rules”, but the Beeb later changed its mind and the thread was removed. Is it ever possible to discuss sectarian stereotypes on the internet in an acceptable-to-all manner? Or is it a topic …

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“A cut in the rate of corporation tax is vital if Northern Ireland’s economy is to succeed,” the Tele reports DUP First Minister Ian Paisley – who intends to stand for Westminster again – telling the Ulster Fry fringe breakfast at the Labour Party conference. However, yesterday in the Assembly, DUP Finance Minister Peter Robinson clearly didn’t think it would be the end of the world if the tax wasn’t cut. Regardless of the difference in emphasis in senior DUP …

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THE new UK-wide version of Monopoly – with locations voted for by the public – is now out. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Northern Ireland is NOT represented – unless you count the obvious tokenism of including ‘Belfast Airport’ (it’s not even clear if this refers to Belfast International or the George Best City Airport). Rumours that the NIO sponsored the ‘Get out of jail free’ cards remain unconfirmed. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that: “The people of Northern Ireland opted to be …

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COULD Shaun Woodward be the first Secretary of State to officially sanction a cover-up under the Inquiries Act? The chairman of the Wright Inquiry seems to think so, after Lord MacLean ‘wrote to the Secretary of State to notify him of an “impending application” by the Ministry of Defence seeking an order that would stop the inquiry from referring to “certain information” in public’. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com

LET’S see who has a good memory. Without googling guess, before the appointment of two junior Stormont ministers, who said the following?: “Let me send a warning to the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister and to the parties. They will probably proceed with these appointments. They will pick party hacks and party faithful… May I suggest that if they are interested in salvaging what little credibility they have, they should not appoint these junior Ministers. If they are …

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ENVIRONMENT Minister Arlene Foster will be giving evidence to Stormont’s environment committee in a few minutes, with the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre high on the agenda. While most of those interested in the ongoing controversy have no doubt that Foster acted with propriety throughout the affair – she was thrust into the debate because of a party colleague’s failure to inform her that her decision would benefit one of his friends, who’s also a DUP member – it is still …

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AFTER last night’s 100-strong Moygashel meeting of anti-agreement unionists, DUP bete noir Jim Allister said it was clear that unease and opposition to the DUP and Sinn Fein in government was growing. “The task now is to channel this opposition – it is a work in progress,” he added, a hint that a new party – led by him? – will be the eventual outcome of these discussions. Among those there were loyalist campaigner Willie Frazer and ex-DUP councillors Robin …

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AN Irish language activist fined £100 for allegedly shouting a republican slogan at police has won her appeal against her conviction. Sinn Fein had tried to elevate this trivial case to another cause celebre, though I don’t think the defendant ever denied being drunk and shouting at the police, who didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory either. Belfast Gonzosluggerotoole.com