Lee Reynolds While the row continues about how the sites for the national stadium were assessed it appears that another option was not fully explored, the upgrade of the three existings sites. In a written answer, DCAL Minister Poots said: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) has not carried out an appraisal of the cost of upgrading (1) Windsor Park (2) Ravenhill and (3) Casement Park Full answer. Upgrading of Sports Venues Mr Nelson McCausland asked the Minister of Culture, …
The BBC’s Gareth Gordon reports that Edwin Poots was prevented from issuing a statement in support of the national stadium following the intervention of senior DUP figures. It was also revealed that Belfast City Council recieved no formal notification of the deadline for proposals until three days after the deadline had passed. The statement of support was to coincide with the launch of this report (pdf file) into possible sites. Government had previously refused to publish this report but were …
With summer hols upon us or soon to be, feel free to recommend some reading to your fellow slugger readers for the long journeys or periods of relaxation. Lee Reynolds
It seems the present Pope will continue his conservative push. Later this week, an annoucement is expected to allow the widespread return of the Tridentine mass. Objectors say this will harm inter-faith relations in particular with the Jewish faith. Balrog rejects that particular notion but fears it may have a more detrimental effect on intra-faith relations. Lee Reynolds
The High Court has ruled in favour of the claim for compensation made by former RUC and PSNI officers who suffer from trauma. Lee Reynolds
Presidential hopeful and US Senator Hilary Clinton has suggested a bond scheme to rasie billions to invest in the Northern Ireland economy. Lee Reynolds
NIO Minister Paul Goggins has revealed it will be 2011 before the government expects to reach the Patten target of 30% Roman Catholic membership using the discriminatory 50:50 rule. This may involve the extension of the rule for a further year. This would mean the “temporary” measure will have been in operation for 11 years. The rule was partially to address the lack of RC applicants but the latest round showed a jump in RC applicants to 41%, only a …
On the day Tony Blair left power Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru have reached an agreement in principle to create a coalition government (details of deal here pdf file). If endorsed at party conventions this will mean every nationalist party in the United Kindgom are part of the devolved executives. Should this be viewed as success for Tony Blair’s devolutionary reforms now that the Union’s structures are operated by its opponents or the fulfilment of critics worst fears that devolution …
Before he entered No.10 for the first time as Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged a government of “all the talents“. It seems to have put the cat amongst with the opposition parties with Iain Dale claiming all sorts of wild rumours flying around (another here) and Guido pointing the finger. The paranoia was fed by Quentin Davies defection yesterday and Ed Balls’ comment last night that “There’s more to come – as I know“. The frenzy and wild rumours seem …
The PPS has decided not to prosecute any member of the security forces in connection with the murder of Pat Finucane. They have judged there is insufficient evidence. More detail and comment facilityhere. Lee Reynolds
Whatever the new relationships or not at Stormont, no agreement has been reached on the Whiterock parade and the Parades Commission has issued a determination (Full decision here word doc). The conditions are similar to last year but residents group spokesperson Sean ‘Spike’ Murray said the decision is: “…a victory for the Orange Order” This is the second Belfast parade route that lengthy dialogue has failed to achieve a deal this year. Unlike last year, there is no local agreement …
Catriona Ruane has issued similar instructions about terminology to Department of Education officials as Conor Murphy. Although she seems to have learnt something of a lesson from her colleague and isn’t confused about here or there. Lee Reynolds
A Belfast City Council commissioned University of Ulster report has recommended an in-city venue for the proposed national stadium with a joint public-private partnership for its development (Full report here pdf file). One of the report’s authors, economist Mike Smith, projects a potential value of the Maze site for the government of between £365 to £550 million. Yesterday, DCAL Minister Poots upped the ante when he imposed a deadline of only 11 days for a Belfast proposal. The final decision …
A person is invited to deliver a humourous after dinner speech. It’s a smoke filled room. He begins by saying “Fuck sake has another pope died?”. Bad taste? A good opener? Free speech? Blatant sectarianism? Anti-sectarianism and Roman Catholic groups are calling for action. Others believe it is free speech and objections charaterise Catholics as humourless and narrow-minded. The Faculty of Advocates is having to decide . Lee Reynolds
SDLP Councillor Gerry Mullan is objecting to the display of a Union flag during a World War I commemoration event in Limavady. The solitary Union flag will not be flown on council property, on a temporary flag poll for approximately 30 minutes. However, this is too much for Cllr Mullan who has attacked it as a “flag-waving exercise”. Lee Reynolds
The Loyal Orders and various band organisations have united in a public call for people not to drink alcohol and respect bye-laws against public drinking at this year’s Twelfth celebration to ensure a positive family atmosphere. Lee Reynolds
There were three hours of disturbances in Buncrana as small numbers of local and visiting youths clashed. Underage drinking seems to have been played a part. Lee Reynolds
Education Minister, Catriona Ruane, has backed the recommendations of the Bain report. She rejected the categorisation of Bain as “school closures” instead arguing it sets out a “new vision for education”. Lee Reynolds
It seems that Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond intends to reciprocate the charm offensive on First Minister Paisley, in particular he is looking for his support to revive the Joint Ministerial Committees. Lee Reynolds
The Observer is reporting that among the measures pro-abortion MPs are planning for the upcoming Westminster fight, is abortion on demand and its full extension to Northern Ireland. The Roman Catholic Church has already discused opposition to such moves with the DUP and the church spokesperson, Rev Tim Bartlett predicts strong opposition from the nationalist community: Nationalists and republicans would regard this move as imposition of a deeply unpopular piece of legislation on them by a British parliament. Meanwhile the …
