David McCann – Page 22 – Slugger O'Toole

Sinn Fein lodge motion of no confidence in the Speaker

David McCann on January 9, 2017, 11:00 am

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The Sinn Fein Chief Whip, Carál Ní Chuilin has announced that the party has lodged a vote of no confidence in the Speaker of the Assembly, Robin Newton. Outlining the party’s rationale she says; We have lodged our motion of no confidence in Speaker Robin Newton. The performance in the Assembly on 19th December was a shambles and totally compromised the independence and integrity of that office. The Speaker should be above reproach and independently accountable to the political institutions. However, he …

Sinn Fein release proposed terms of reference for RHI investigation

David McCann on January 6, 2017, 1:38 pm

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Sinn Fein released their proposed terms of references for an investigation into the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. The Opposition Parties were critical on Talkback with Naomi Long and Mike Nesbitt voicing concerns about the proposals While @mikenesbittni point about LCJ appointing chair rather than AG makes more sense still can’t see @duponline agreeing to terms — Allison Morris (@AllisonMorris1) January 6, 2017 The DUP response <blockquoteclass=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”> Asked by my colleague @FermanaghJulian if she’d accept @sinnfeinireland terms for inquiry @DUPleader …

Carthy “Do not assume that republican patience is limitless!”

David McCann on January 1, 2017, 10:45 pm

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Chris had a piece up on Sinn Fein’s approach towards RHI and we will have to wait until the Assembly comes back to see how far the are prepared to go over this issue but a contribution was made today by Matt Carthy MEP who has issued a warning to the DUP. I have bolded some of the key bits. Nationalists and republicans throughout Ireland, not least members and supporters of Sinn Féin, are deeply angered at the recent actions and …

What to look out for in 2017….

David McCann on December 26, 2016, 9:59 am

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2016 was a fascinating year in politics with an election, Brexit and the US Presidential race. Now we are near the end of the year, I thought I would take a look ahead to see what else could surprise us in 2017. (This list is by no means definitive, if I have missed anything put it in the comments section below). Article 50- The Prime Minister has said she will activate Article 50 by the end of March 2017. Look …

RHI Scheme and the sector it could have helped.

David McCann on December 26, 2016, 9:35 am

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On Christmas Eve, the Irish News Political Correspondent, John Manley had an interesting story in the paper about the RHI scheme and the sectors that it could have helped. He reports; Deti’s delayed launch of the regional RHI in 2012 came not long after the Stormont-sponsored Agri-Food Strategy Board set out its plan to increase exports of beef, dairy, pork and poultry. The plan was supported by then First Minister Peter Robinson, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Agriculture Minister Michelle …

Department for Communities cuts funding for the Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme

David McCann on December 23, 2016, 7:14 pm

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Some news just in from the Department for Communities, under the leadership of the DUP’s Paul Givan. The Líofa Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme enabled at least 100 people a year to attend summer Irish language classes in the Donegal gaeltacht. The Líofa programme was set up by former culture minister, Carál Ní Chuilín. The DfC announced the cut in an email from the Líofa office. It was sent to the boards of the gaeltacht colleges on 23 December. The report goes …

McGuinness and Foster at odds over the response to the RHI Scheme

David McCann on December 17, 2016, 9:36 am

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The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness has called on Arlene Foster to stand aside as First Minister for a period of time I spoke by phone this afternoon with the First Minister, Arlene Foster. “I outlined my serious concern that the credibility of the political institutions is being undermined by the serious and ongoing allegations surrounding the design, operation, abuse and ending of the Renewable Heating Incentive Scheme. “This includes allegations from a former DUP Minster that there was corruption. …

SDLP Motion to Exclude Foster reaches 30 signatures

David McCann on December 16, 2016, 4:19 pm

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An SDLP motion to exclude Arlene Foster as First Minister for a period of 6 months has now reached 30 signatures and will be debated on Monday. The motion is backed by the Ulster Unionist Party, Alliance Party, Green Party, People Before Profit and Traditional Unionist Voice. If all MLAs attend, that gives the motion 41 votes in favour, that is a majority over the 36 DUP MLAs. The Speaker Robin Newton cannot vote and Bell is shaky at the moment. Some …

DUP go on the offensive over RHI

David McCann on December 14, 2016, 5:04 pm

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The DUP have released the first email from the Whistle Blower over the RHI scheme; The Deputy Leader of the DUP, Nigel Dodds says this email vindicates the First Minister; There has been a quite scurrilous attempt to blame Arlene Foster for the RHI saga. The endlessly repeated claim has been that she failed to follow up on the whistle blower concerns. “Now we know that no such concerns were raised with her. This is no criticism of the lady …

Nesbitt urges Foster to consider her position

David McCann on December 7, 2016, 10:44 am

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After last nights Spotlight programme the UUP leader, Mike Nesbitt has urged the First Minister, Arlene Foster to consider her position over the Heat Incentive Scheme. In his statement Nesbitt says; “The mismanagement of the Renewable Heat Incentive and consequent squandering of hundreds of millions of pounds is another scandal, up there with NAMA and the Social Investment Fund. “This happened on Arlene Foster’s watch in the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. To date, her only defence is …

A response to Sinn Fein’s “Towards a United Ireland” document

David McCann on November 29, 2016, 8:46 am

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Sinn Fein have launched a discussion paper titled “Towards a United Ireland” The document is available in both English and Irish with each translation coming to roughly 28 pages each. If you want to read it for yourself, here is the full version. In this post, I want to highlight some of the key passages and how I feel they could be improved in creating a more coherent offering for a United Ireland that has been lacking within mainstream Nationalism …

Foster prepared to meet the Pope if he comes to Northern Ireland.

David McCann on November 28, 2016, 6:15 pm

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A spokesperson for Arlene Foster said today she is prepared to meet the Pope if he visits Northern Ireland in 2018; Any potential visit to Northern Ireland by the Pope is a matter for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Were the Pope to visit Northern Ireland in his capacity as Head of State then the First Minister would meet him. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him …

Arlene & Martin pen their first joint platform piece

David McCann on November 22, 2016, 4:04 pm

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In their first platform piece for the newspapers, Arlene Foster & Martin McGuinness have penned their first platform piece on the Executive here. Some key passages I have highlighted but this looks like the continuation of two real alternatives in the government of Northern Ireland. DAY by day, slowly but surely, politics here is changing. And it’s for the better. The focus is increasingly now on policies and delivery – on finding the best ways to make people’s lives better. The …

Opposition to focus on Agriculture, Rural Schools and Poverty

David McCann on November 20, 2016, 8:19 pm

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Tomorrow is an Opposition Day at Stormont with the UUP/SDLP parties deciding to focus on EU funding for the Agricultural Sector, Rural Schools and Poverty. Here are the motions they are set to debate; Motion: EU Funding for the Agricultural Sector That this Assembly notes with concern the risks to multiple streams of funding posed by withdrawal from the European Union; further notes that over 70 per cent of all European funding to Northern Ireland falls under the Common Agricultural …

Jennifer McCann to step down as an MLA

David McCann on November 16, 2016, 9:39 pm

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Reported in today’s Andersonstown News, Jennifer McCann, formerly Junior Minister in OFM/DFM and Sinn Fein MLA for West Belfast will be stepping down as an MLA. McCann will be taking on a role with the Health Minister, Michelle O’Neill. Her replacement will be selected on December 1st. David McCannDavid McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs

Eastwood to boycott the Trump White House

David McCann on November 10, 2016, 11:41 am

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This statement was released yesterday by the SDLP Leader, Colum Eastwood on the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. Both Martin McGuinness and Arlene Foster have pledged to continue on engagement with the Trump administration. He says; “As things fall apart, the centre ground is struggling to know what is worth holding on to. Mainstream politics remains uneasy and unsure as to its place, its power and its purpose. “Donald Trump has swept in …

United to say farewell to Belfast International in 2017

David McCann on November 4, 2016, 12:35 pm

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One of the biggest airlines in the world, United Airlines is set to pull out of its Belfast International to Newark route in January 2017. The Executive had agreed a £9 million aid package to the airline (this is on top of the cuts to APD that are already in place) to help keep the route going. The EU has however, blocked the aid package on state aid grounds. I have used this route many times and my brother brings …

Cllr Graham Craig defects to the DUP

David McCann on October 28, 2016, 10:08 am

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Another man overboard for the UUP as Botanic Councillor, Graham Craig defects to the DUP. This is particularly bad news in South Belfast where the party lost their only seat to the DUP’s Christopher Stalford. Craig was formerly a SPAD to Sammy Wilson when he served as Minister for Finance and had some very harsh criticism of his former leader and party in the Belfast Telegraph. Speaking about her new councillor, Arlene Foster said I am delighted that Graham has …

Cllr Aaron Callan defects to the DUP

David McCann on October 27, 2016, 11:57 am

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Limavady Councillor, Aaron Callan has defected from the UUP to the DUP. He cites what he claims as the UUP ignoring his constituency and lack of confidence in his former leader as the main reasons. Speaking about his decision to leave he says; Some people may be asking why I have decided to leave the Ulster Unionist Party to join the Democratic Unionist Party. I have thought long and hard about this decision. It has become clear over the last …

Naomi Long officially takes over as party leader telling the public “Vote Alliance and get Alliance”

David McCann on October 26, 2016, 8:30 pm

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No real surprises here but Naomi Long was officially endorsed by her party colleagues tonight as the leader of the Alliance Party. Long has previously served as the party’s deputy leader under David Ford and was the MP for East Belfast from 2010-2015. She has been credited for her work in building the Alliance party in her East Belfast constituency since she was elected to the Assembly in 2003. Speaking about her vision for the party she said; I am …