David McCann – Page 21 – Slugger O'Toole

Candidates running in #ae17 Part 2

David McCann on February 5, 2017, 12:50 pm

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In my first installment I focused on the parties running across Northern Ireland, here are some of the other parties running in a few constituencies. People Before Profit (6 candidates) West Belfast- Gerry Carroll, Michael Collins North Belfast- Fiona Ferguson Foyle-Eamonn McCann South Belfast- Pádraigín Mervyn South Antrim- Ivanka Antova Workers Party (4 candidates) North Belfast-Gemma Weir South Belfast- Lily Kerr West Belfast- Conor Campbell Mid Ulster-Hugh Scullion Traditional Unionist Voice (13 candidates) North Antrim-Jim Allister, Timothy Gaston Lagan Valley-Sammy …

Candidates for #AE17

David McCann on February 2, 2017, 9:22 pm

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This is not a total list but I thought I would begin with some of the main parties running across all of the 18 constituencies. DUP- (38 candidates) North Belfast-Paula Bradley, Nelson McCausland, William Humphreys West Belfast-Frank McCoubrey South Belfast-Emma Pengelly and Christopher Stalford East Belfast- Robin Newton, Joanne Bunting, David Douglas North Down- Gordon Dunne, Alex Easton Strangford- Michelle McIlveen, Simon Hamilton, Peter Weir Lagan Valley- Brenda Hale, Paul Givan, Edwin Poots Upper Bann- Jonathan Buckley, Carla Lockhart South …

UK Government produces #Brexit White Paper

David McCann on February 2, 2017, 1:11 pm

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The UK Government had just produced its Brexit White Paper which can be read here The text dealing with Ireland and the Common Travel Area comes to a grand total of 3 pages with two key commitments which are listed below; 4.9 We are determined that our record of collaboration, built on shared experience and values and supported by personal, political and economic ties, continues to develop and strengthen after we leave the EU. 4.10 We will work with the …

UUP launch 5 point plan to clean up Stormont

David McCann on February 2, 2017, 12:52 pm

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The Ulster Unionists have launched a 5 point plan to clean up Stormont; Election of Speaker It is vital that the public and the Assembly can have confidence in the impartiality of the Speaker. In the last mandate this was brought into disrepute. The election of the Speaker can no longer be subject to a carve-up between the two largest parties. We want to see future Speakers elected through a secret ballot of MLAs. Scrutiny Committees Executive Ministers must be …

#AE17 Snippets: All Change within the DUP

David McCann on January 25, 2017, 9:02 pm

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Today has seen more movements within the DUP David Douglas (son of Sammy) will stand for the DUP in East Belfast. The party have also confirmed that the current Speaker Robin Newton is also running again which means the party are aiming to retain their 3 seats. The Education Minister, Peter Weir is on the move as he is standing in the place of Jonathan Bell in Strongford, moving from his old constituency of North Down. DUP Councillor, Jonathan Buckley …

Michelle O’Neill confirmed as Sinn Fein’s new leader in the North

David McCann on January 23, 2017, 2:08 pm

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Michelle O’Neill has been confirmed as the new Sinn Fein leader in the North. The selection was ratified by the party’s Ard Chomhairle. In a crowded Long Gallery at Stormont, Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald thanked Martin McGuinness and confirmed Michelle O’Neill. Martin McGuinness spoke warmly about his relationship with the Paisley family and thanked Ian Paisley Jnr for his remarks on The View on Thursday night, referring to the wider Paisley family as supporters of the Peace Process. On …

Martin McGuinness to stand down at the next election

David McCann on January 19, 2017, 6:03 pm

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The former Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness has announced he will stand down as an MLA at the next election. His statement is this; “Last year, Gerry Adams and I confirmed that we had a plan in place for transition to a new leadership. For my part, it was my intention to step aside in May this year which would have marked 10 years since I entered government with Ian Paisley as joint leader of the northern Executive. “Unfortunately, my …

Sinn Fein now back the call for a Public Inquiry

David McCann on January 19, 2017, 4:18 pm

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Finance Minister, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has announced that he will be setting up a public inquiry under the 2005 Inquiries Act. This is a reverse of the Sinn Fein stance on this issue. Outlining his rationale he says; Throughout this week I have been continuing to focus on the RHI crisis. “As part of that work, I have been taking soundings and advice on the need for a no-hiding-place probe into the RHI scandal. “It is clear that, with time short …

Claire Sugden will seek re-election in March

David McCann on January 17, 2017, 5:50 pm

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From the outgoing Justice Minister’s Facebook Page; Firstly, thank you for your kind wishes throughout this dreadful, political crisis. I am overwhelmed that you have taken time to contact me offering support and encouragement. It tells me there is hope. I never envisaged that less than a year into my mandate I would be defending my seat for East Londonderry. But I will, because last year I asked you to vote for me on the basis that I would work …

Irish Language Act debate

David McCann on January 17, 2017, 2:42 pm

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This morning on Nolan a debate between Conor Murphy and Edwin Poots continued over the Irish Language Act .@audioBoom Here’s the Edwin Poots interview which is trending across UK on Twitter – let me know what you think . https://t.co/jCcfs3NVmw — Stephen Nolan (@StephenNolan) January 17, 2017 The provision within the agreement states that However, the DUP’s Edwin Poots says the party never agreed to this; At no point during the St Andrews talks was the issue of an Irish …

Executive Falls; Election likely to be on March 2nd

David McCann on January 16, 2017, 5:19 pm

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The 5pm deadline has passed and the Executive has fallen after nearly a decade in office. The Secretary of Stare is due to speak within the next 30 mins but the election date is widely expected to be Thursday 2nd March. This gives us a 7 week campaign. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

Seeley will not stand at the upcoming election

David McCann on January 16, 2017, 2:13 pm

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Upper Bann Sinn Fein MLA, Catherine Seeley has announced she will not be seeking re-election. Speaking about her decision she said; “Serving the people of Upper Bann as a Sinn Féin MLA over recent months has been a huge honour and privilege. “After much consideration, I have now decided that I will not be putting my name forward as a candidate in this election. An opportunity has arisen for me to return to teaching and I want to pursue it. …

Ruane to step down at the next election

David McCann on January 15, 2017, 6:17 pm

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The serving Principal Deputy Speaker and former Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane will be standing down at the next election. Speaking about her decision she said; “It has been an honour and privilege to represent the people of South Down in the Assembly for the last 14 years. “Over the years I have been involved in assisting the growth and development of the peace process to create a better society for all our citizens. “During that time I have had the pleasure …

Department of Finance release advice to the Minister over the Bedroom Tax

David McCann on January 12, 2017, 12:22 pm

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There was a dispute between the Finance Minister and the Communities Minister over whether mitigation payments could be made to the 34,000 homes who would be impacted by the introduction of the Bedroom Tax in Northern Ireland. Although advice from officials within the department argue that provisions already exist to bring these mitigations in. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

Givan restores Líofa Bursary Scheme funding

David McCann on January 12, 2017, 9:05 am

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My decision on the Líofa Bursary Scheme was not a political decision. I have now identified the necessary funding to advance this scheme. — Paul Givan (@paulgivan) January 12, 2017 Olive branch being offered, but is it too little, too late? David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

Why institutional reform needs to be at the heart of the next election

David McCann on January 11, 2017, 1:18 pm

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It looks almost certain now that we are heading to an early election. In the usual noise of a campaign there will be a variety of issues that will get people talking and hopefully voting. One issue that has been consistently coming up is reforming our system of government. The SDLP back in May with their jump into Opposition and now Sinn Fein have embraced the concept of reforming the system of government. We have heard slogans such as “no …

O’Neill “We will not be re-nominating a Deputy First Minister before the election”

David McCann on January 10, 2017, 5:02 pm

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A very declarative response to Arlene Foster has been issued by the Health Minister, Michelle O’Neill tonight; This is an act of desperation by the DUP. “If the DUP were serious about addressing the political crisis then Arlene Foster would have stepped aside a month ago as Martin McGuinness suggested privately to her. They refused to do so and arrogantly attempted to brazen out the public anger. “Arlene Foster did not remove herself from office, Martin McGuinness removed her to …

Foster “While at this moment in time it may seem all hope is lost I still believe we can work to achieve better and brighter days ahead”

David McCann on January 10, 2017, 3:46 pm

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The DUP Leader, Arlene Foster spoke today about launching an inquiry into the RHI scheme I indicated last evening that I am disappointed that Martin McGuinness resigned as Deputy First Minister. Today the consequences of what has happened is that it is much more difficult to deal with the RHI problems which I want to see resolved in a way that restores public confidence. I very much regret that as politicians we have been unable to find a way through …

Foster “Let me make it clear the DUP will always defend unionism”

David McCann on January 9, 2017, 5:55 pm

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The now former First Minister, Arlene Foster has issued a brief response to Martin McGuinness; I am disappointed that Martin McGuinness has chosen to take the position he has today. His actions have meant that, at precisely the time we need our Government to be active, we will have no government and no way to resolve the RHI problems. It is clear that Sinn Fein’s actions are not principled they are political. Let me make it clear the DUP will …

Martin McGuinness resigns as Deputy First Minister

David McCann on January 9, 2017, 3:21 pm

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Sinn Fein have finally taken the plunge of calling it a day and bringing the curtain down on nearly 10 years of devolution. I will admit, that I thought they would never do it but Martin McGuinness resigned as Deputy First Minister. “Over the last ten years I have worked with DUP leaders and reached out to unionists on the basis of equality, respect and reconciliation. “Over this period the actions of the British government and the DUP have undermined …