David McCann – Page 17 – Slugger O'Toole

Coveney “Continued membership of this Customs Union and Single Market,or something very like it, is the answer”

David McCann on August 29, 2017, 2:07 pm

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The Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney addressed the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce this morning about Brexit and some of the British government proposals. In his remarks he urged the UK to remain in the Single Market; Simply put, EU Member States will not countenance a partnership which allows the UK to benefit from full EU access while cutting separate deals with countries that don’t share our standards or systems. And that has obvious implications on this island. For …

Moving past 50 plus 1 & a potential path forward

David McCann on August 24, 2017, 11:46 am

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Sinn Fein MEP, Matt Carthy was speaking at the D’arcy Magee Summer School in Carlingford, Co. Louth last night; “The attempted imposition of Brexit on the North against the wishes of the majority living there who voted to remain within the EU, highlighted the undemocratic nature of Partition. “After decades of lecturing republicans about ‘the principle of consent’ the refusal of the British Government to respect the expressed will of a majority of voters in the Six Counties should not be …

Eastwood “I still know that the constitutional position will not be changed overnight even in with the upheaval caused by Brexit”

David McCann on August 23, 2017, 9:41 pm

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SDLP Leader, Colum Eastwood gave an address to the D’Arcy McGee Summer School on Brexit and he made some interesting comments about how Unionist parties view comments on this subject from Nationalist leaders; I am conscious that unionism’s kneejerk reaction to this kind of language will be naturally defensive and some will automatically assume that I am speaking about some sort of sudden re-unification to avoid Brexit. Let me be clear – I am not. Of course my view as an …

Michelle O’Neill proposes a resumption of talks

David McCann on August 20, 2017, 10:45 pm

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Michelle O’Neill has proposed the formal resumption of talks to begin on 28th August; “With limited engagement since the talks concluded on 4th July, I am keen to formally re-engage at the earliest opportunity in order to re-establish an Executive and power sharing institutions on a proper and sustainable footing. “Moreover, I do not believe there is much public appetite, or need, for another drawn-out phase of talks. “In this context, and with an eagerness to resolve outstanding issues, I …

UK Government publishes its Customs Union proposals

David McCann on August 15, 2017, 2:57 pm

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The UK Government has begun producing a serious of papers outlining its post-Brexit vision for relations between the UK and the European Union. The 14 page document outlines how the UK will seek a transitional period before attempting to set up a system that gives it basically the same access that it has now. There are some Northern Ireland specific proposals, but a paper deal specifically with this issues will be published at a later stage, but back to customs. …

Report examining Brexit and a United Ireland launched

David McCann on August 2, 2017, 5:07 pm

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The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement launched a report today entitled Brexit and the Future of Ireland Uniting Ireland & Its People in Peace & Prosperity. The report examines issues around Brexit and the a United Ireland and is a lengthy document. Here are some of the key recommendations from the committee; On Brexit The Irish government must negotiate for Northern Ireland to be designated with special status within the EU and for the whole …

Belfast City Council to discuss bonfire motion

David McCann on August 2, 2017, 3:17 pm

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Belfast City Council will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:30pm to discuss a motion on bonfires brought by Sinn Fein. The text of the motion is as follows; “This Council is opposed to rogue bonfires where they present a threat to life, to property, to the environment, where they cause damage to public amenities and where they facilitate hate crime activities. “On the basis of these concerns this Council gives permission to our Council officers to remove bonfire materials or …

Slugger TV: Episode 4

David McCann on August 2, 2017, 3:05 pm

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Slugger O’Toole: Episode 4 from Northern Visions NvTv on Vimeo. Latest Slugger TV looking back at the political year so far with Jamie Pow from Northern Slant and Dr. Katy Hayward from Queens University, Belfast. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

BBC Pay ” If believing men and women should be treated equally is what feminism is about then count me in”

David McCann on July 19, 2017, 8:33 pm

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Many stories have been doing the rounds today about BBC Pay but one that caught attention has been the pay gap between men and women presenters/journalists in the organisation. Here are the stats very kindly displayed on the BBC Talkback Twitter account. Two thirds of the top 96 earners at the BBC are men. Does more need to be done to promote gender equality at the BBC? #BBCpaypic.twitter.com/TMgwVo3I3z — BBC Talkback (@BBCTalkback) July 19, 2017 I could go on …

Nolan & Bradley on the state of political analysis in Northern Ireland.

David McCann on July 14, 2017, 1:55 pm

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A really interesting debate on the Nolan Show this morning between Denis Bradley and Stephen Nolan about a column in the Irish News penned by Bradley over the state of political commentary in Northern Ireland. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

Another 12th July passes peacefully, but other conversations are still needed.

David McCann on July 12, 2017, 10:22 pm

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Another 12th July passes and for the second year in a row it has been peaceful. The PSNI have issued this statement on the events of the day; “We have dealt with a number of minor incidents throughout the day and have made a small number of arrests but these were very much in the margins of what has been widely described as the most peaceful Twelfth of July for some years and a model for years to come. “It …

“We cannot complain about the Irish State or its Constitution. It protects our rights.”

David McCann on July 10, 2017, 3:15 pm

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From the Irish Times which is worth reading about the Orange Order and how they operate in the South. The entire article is worth a read but this comment about the Irish constitution is worth highlighting A past master and current chaplain of the lodge, he says he could not ask for more protection from the State for his freedom of expression. “It’s fantastic. See the Irish Constitution, article 40.6.2: free assembly under the law without bearing arms. We can assemble …

EU Parliament votes down a proposal for Special Status

David McCann on July 6, 2017, 11:35 am

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Some news from the European Parliament yesterday European Parliament today overwhelmingly(374-66) rejected call (from group SF sits in) for special designated status for Northern Ireland. pic.twitter.com/Z3xnVDNMmp — Sam McBride (@SJAMcBride) July 5, 2017 A comprehensive defeat for the proposal, but the an analyst who watches this, told me this; Looks like a classic EPP-S&D-ALDE deal, plus ECR. They’re not prepared to rock the Brexit boat just yet — Simon Hix (@simonjhix) July 5, 2017 This is useful from Julian O’Neill …

Slugger TV: Episode 3

David McCann on July 5, 2017, 9:08 pm

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Slugger TV Episode Three aired tonight on NVTV Our panelists this week were Irish News Security Correspondent, Allison Morris and Slugger Contributor, Jeffrey Peel. We discussed the Tory/DUP Deal and the future of Theresa May as Prime Minister. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

Talks Latest

David McCann on July 3, 2017, 2:04 pm

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Latest from the talks and first up is Sinn Fein’s Conor Murphy striking a pessimistic note; The DUP have not addressed the equality and rights issues, which caused the collapse of the political institutions. “Nineteen years after the Good Friday Agreement and ten years on from St Andrew’s the DUP have blocked an Acht na Gaeilge, the Bill of Rights, marriage equality, respect, anti-sectarian measures and progress on legacy issues. “The DUP’s anti-equality approach has been emboldened by their alliance with a …

Germany approves Same Sex Marriage

David McCann on June 30, 2017, 12:11 pm

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Interesting development in Germany today as the Bundestag approved by 393-226. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel was opposed to the bill herself but still allowed a free vote for her Christian Democratic Union representatives in the Bundestag. Explaining her opposition to the bill she said; “For me, marriage in German law is marriage between a man and a woman and that is why I did not vote in favour of this bill today,” “I hope that the vote today not only …

3 SDLP Councillors quit the party

David McCann on June 19, 2017, 1:10 pm

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In this mornings Belfast Telegraph, Suzanne Breen reports trouble in the SDLP’s ranks as three of their councillors on Belfast City Council have quit the party. Cllrs, Pat Convery, Declan Boyle and Kate Mullan were suspended after they abstained on a motion dealing with harassment outside reproductive health facilities. Breen reports; The three who abstained told the Belfast Telegraph that they were quitting the party with “profoundly heavy hearts”. They said they would not resign their seats but would continue …

Sinn Fein co-opt two new faces to replace McElduff and McCallion

David McCann on June 12, 2017, 10:33 pm

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Sinn Féin have selected Karen Mullan for co-option to replace newly elected MP Elisha McCallion as a Foyle MLA & Catherine Kelly for co-option to replace newly elected MP Barry McElduff as MLA for West Tyrone. Catherine Kelly has been a member of Sinn Féin since 2009, stood as a candidate in Omagh Town in the 2014 local elections, has worked as Political Advisor to Barry McElduff and is currently secretary of Omagh Sinn Féin Comhairle Ceantair. Karen Mullan is a community worker …

DUP: You’re Playing Senior Hurling Now Lads

David McCann on June 11, 2017, 2:49 pm

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You’re playing senior hurling now lads Those were the words uttered by Fianna Fail Minister, Seamus Brennan to the Green Party in 2007 as they formed a coalition with Fianna Fail. The DUP are currently in talks with the Conservative Party about forming a minority government. So far, things have gone well for the party with the confusion from Number 10 about whether a deal had been reached and then the DUP’s statement that talks were ongoing but that no …

What to look out for tonight

David McCann on June 8, 2017, 7:38 pm

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It’s nearly all over as one of the quietest campaigns comes to an end but turnout is reported to be doing well in many places across Northern Ireland at 5pm. What should you look out for; For the UK wide picture as soon as it hits 10pm the main networks BBC, ITV and SKY News will publish the results of their exit poll, be cautious about other polls out there! Some folks got other polls mixed up in 2015 and …