David McCann – Page 19 – Slugger O'Toole

How the Irish government pulled off a Brexit coup

David McCann on April 30, 2017, 11:51 am

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Denis Staunton has an excellent piece in the Irish Times about how Enda Kenny achieved so much success, so quickly with the Brexit negotiations. Whilst some were waxing lyrical about Spain’s aggressive stance over Gibraltar, Ireland pretty much went back to basics, quietly in the background working with officials and quietly pushed forward its agenda. The prominence of Ireland’s issues in the EU’s guidelines, including a statement guaranteeing that Northern Ireland could automatically rejoin the EU as part of a united …

European Council guidelines argue “flexible and imaginative solutions will be required”

David McCann on April 29, 2017, 5:39 pm

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The European Council have published their guidelines for the Brexit negotiations that will now take place. Readers of the site will be happy to know that Northern Ireland does get a mention Then there was also this BREAKING: EU27 leaders have accepted Ireland’s declaration that in the event of unity referendum Northern Ireland wd automatically rejoin EU — Tony Connelly (@tconnellyRTE) April 29, 2017 David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can …

People Before Profit to campaign against “Tory-Brexit”

David McCann on April 28, 2017, 12:16 pm

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Interesting article from the Irish News Political Correspondent, John Manley on the People Before Profit MLA and Westminster candidate, Gerry Carroll’s views on Brexit. From the article Many commentators attributed the decline in the People Before Profit representative’s vote to his pro-Brexit stance. But now Mr Carroll has said he will fight the general election on an “anti-Tory Brexit” ticket. He told The Irish News his party was as opposed to “Theresa May’s Tory Brexit” as it was to the …

Orange Order; We believe it is in Northern Ireland’s vital interests for as many Unionist MPs as possible be returned to our mother Parliament

David McCann on April 27, 2017, 11:53 am

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The Orange Order has issue a statement today urging the Unionist parties to show “unity of purpose” The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland recognises the critical importance and huge significance of the forthcoming General Election. As the United Kingdom commences the process of exiting the European Union it is essential a purposeful and stable Government is elected to act on behalf of, and deliver the best possible deal, for its citizens. Equally, it is of the utmost importance that Northern …

John Bruton; “The terms for Brexit, as set out so far by Mrs May, will do incalculable damage to this island, politically, emotionally and economically”

David McCann on April 27, 2017, 11:44 am

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Some interesting evidence from former Taoiseach, John Bruton today; “While I believe it may seem impossibly optimistic today, I believe conditions can be envisaged in which, eventually, the UK voters might either decide, either not to leave the EU at all, or to decide, after it has left, to rejoin. Ireland should try to keep that possibility alive. “The terms for Brexit, as set out so far by Mrs May, will do incalculable damage to this island, politically, emotionally and …

Arlene Foster begins discussions with Irish Language Groups

David McCann on April 26, 2017, 11:15 pm

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Arlene Foster began the DUP’s outreach to sections of the Irish Language speaking community today by visiting Our Lady’s, Newry to meet with pupils and staff about the language. From a BBC report; But speaking during her visit to the school, Mrs Foster said she was on a “journey” when it came to the Irish language and people have “nothing to fear from engaging with another culture”. Her visit had been an opportunity to “sit back and listen”, she said, …

The Pro-Remain Coalition failing with have consequences on June 8th.

David McCann on April 26, 2017, 12:35 pm

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The short lived attempt to build a Pro-Remain coalition of sorts has now ended with the Greens pulling the plug and the failure of the other parties to agree on independent candidates. Alliance who were out of the traps early opposing the pact delivered an unusually strong criticism towards the Green Party over even entertaining such a prospect. Initial Thoughts I was a supporter of some arrangement that brought together Pro-Remain forces in some shape or form. This would have …

Agnew pulls the plug on a Pro-Remain Pact

David McCann on April 25, 2017, 12:59 pm

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The wheels have finally come off the wagon for a pact between the pro-Remain forces as the Green Party Leader, Steven Agnew has said his party will not be joining any pact with any other parties. The North Down MLA said: “The Green Party will not enter into a pact for the forthcoming Westminster election. “The decision has followed discussion amongst party members and our party Executive. We also met with the SDLP, Sinn Fein and the UUP as parties …

UUP stand aside in N.Belfast clearing the way for further talks with the DUP

David McCann on April 22, 2017, 1:16 pm

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The UUP have confirmed they will stand aside in North Belfast, as well as West Belfast and Foyle. This effectively clears the way for the DUP Deputy Leader, Nigel Dodds to keep the seat, if the other parties don’t come to some sort of arrangement. Speaking about the election the party leader, Robin Swann said; “The General Election has been called and we have moved quickly to put Ulster Unionist Party candidates in the strongest possible position in advance of …

The Way Forward for Cooperation between Pro-Remain Parties?

David McCann on April 20, 2017, 3:08 pm

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This could be a watershed election, in the local context it could be the most important at a Westminster level since 1918. Northern Ireland holds just 18 out of 650 MPs and even in a hung parliament environment it can be difficult to get gain traction. What we lack in voting power, we have a potential to make up for in a strong signal being sent by the wider electorate. The dynamics of the race here are actually relatively simple, …

Eastwood “We’re open to any discussion about how we can protect the remain vote in Northern Ireland”

David McCann on April 19, 2017, 4:48 pm

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Chris had an excellent post up today about the possibility of having a Pro Remain Alliance for the upcoming election. At Stormont today, the SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood had some very interesting comments which are worth noting We don’t do sectarian pacts between two parties to keep out one community. We’re open to any discussion about how we can protect the remain vote in Northern Ireland, about how we can fight against the anti-Europe MPs and how we can protect …

Key races to watch in Northern Ireland

David McCann on April 18, 2017, 4:53 pm

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Now that the starting gun has been fired by the PM, what are some of the key races to pay attention to locally. There are quite a few and as this is Northern Ireland the health warning comes with the importance of the right candidates being selected to stand in the right constituencies. North Belfast Currently held by DUP Deputy Leader, Nigel Dodds Majority; 5,326 (Note this was with UUP and other Unionist parties out of the race). Dodds has …

McCausland says a Culture Act is worth considering

David McCann on April 16, 2017, 4:13 pm

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Former DUP MLA and Culture Minister, Nelson McCausland has made some interesting comments to the News Letter in response to Arlene Foster’s engagement with the Irish Language Community. Former Culture Minister Nelson McCausland yesterday told the News Letter that an inclusive cultural Act “could well be the way forward”. He added: “It would recognise that there is more than one indigenous minority language in Northern Ireland and more than one cultural tradition.” Mr McCausland believes a culture Act could help …

Kearney “Together the DUP and British government currently represent an anti-equality axis”

David McCann on April 16, 2017, 3:41 pm

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Sinn Fein Chairperson, Declan Kearney made an address today to the Derry and Antrim Easter commemoration in the Loup, County Derry. In his remarks he put the blame for progress in the talks on the DUP and the British government. I have highlighted a key passage. The DUP and British government remain in denial that the political landscape has changed. They both refuse to ‘get it’. “The last two phases of talks show no evidence they are serious about resolving the …

Brexit means “Business as usual” for Donegal Tourism

David McCann on April 14, 2017, 11:15 am

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Earlier in the week, I ventured out West to Gweedore in County Donegal with a few journalists/bloggers to visit the town and see some of the local sights. Yet one issue that was on my mind was Brexit. We have heard many business leaders North and South give their views over the past year about the UK leaving the European Union & the possible economic consequences for many industries locally, particularly tourism. Gweedore is less than 50 miles from the …

O’Neill criticises DUP & British Government; warns about another election

David McCann on April 10, 2017, 2:59 pm

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The Sinn Fein Leader in the North, Michelle O’Neill gave a bleak assessment today over where we are politically. Taking aim at the DUP and the British government she criticised their approach towards the talks; “We have been here five weeks during which time Sinn Féin has been fully engaged. We believe in the institutions and we have been working to restore them and to rebuild public confidence in them. “However, to date there has been no measurable progress. And at …

Swann makes his opening pitch as UUP Leader

David McCann on April 9, 2017, 10:13 am

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Robin Swann became the Ulster Unionist Leader yesterday. He candidacy was unopposed. He delivered his first speech as leader to the few hundred delegates gathered at the party’s AGM in South Belfast. On a single Unionist Party; So to those who seek a single unionist party, I ask them to consider carefully the consequences of such an outcome. A single unionist party would limit choice, stifle debate and quickly result in the depletion of Unionist votes at the ballot box. …

SDLP suspend three councillors on Belfast City Council

David McCann on April 6, 2017, 10:16 pm

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From the BBC On Monday night, the three Belfast City Council members abstained on a vote condemning harassment and intimidation of people outside the facilities. It is understood Pat Convery, Kate Mullan and Declan Boyle have been suspended for an indefinite period. The SDLP had seven members on Belfast City Council but now it has only four. Mr Convery, a former lord mayor of Belfast, will be replaced as SDLP group leader, and Kate Mullan will be replaced as deputy …

Robin Swann set to become the new UUP Leader

David McCann on March 25, 2017, 3:10 pm

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North Antrim MLA, Robin Swann is set to take over as the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party without a contest. Swann is currently the party’s Chief Whip and was involved with the Ulster Farmers Union. In a post on Facebook last night he said; I can confirm that I have submitted papers today to seek election as Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, after receiving support from across the Party including members of our Westminster, Assembly and Local Government …

Martin McGuinness dies aged 66

David McCann on March 21, 2017, 7:13 am

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The former Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness has passed away after a short illness. Tributes have already began flowing in from across the political divide. The DUP Leader, Arlene Foster said; I want to express my sincere condolences, both personally and on behalf of our party, to the McGuinness family upon hearing the news of the passing of Former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. Today’s news will come as a shock to many people. First and foremost, Martin McGuinness was …