Gary Kent

Rave from the Grave?

Gary Kent on May 19, 2006, 2:29 pm

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Norman Tebbit asks Her Majesty’s Government whether they regard celebrations of Irish republican violence during Easter 1916 as a glorification of terrorism. The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal) replies – see what you make of it: Section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006, which came into force on 13 April 2006, creates an offence of encouragement of terrorism including glorification of the commission or preparation of acts of terrorism. Section 1 contains a number of safeguards …

Labour delegation meets Iraqi trade unions

Gary Kent on May 14, 2006, 1:31 am

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There is a Dwarfs’ Association in Iraqi Kurdistan. It seemed odd at first but Saddam’s actual use of weapons of mass destruction continues to wreak biological havoc and this Association combats the stigma. A recent article for Fortnight magazine. Nearly 200,000 people died in Saddam’s genocidal campaign to exterminate Iraqi Kurds and there’s also an increased incidence of cancer and leukaemia but no clinics to cope with it or foreign exchange to buy medicines or send people abroad for treatment. …

Fortnight report on last meeting of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body in Co Kerry

Gary Kent on May 11, 2006, 4:30 pm

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History sometimes deals a funny hand. There I was in Killarney, the heart of the Irish tourist industry. Myself and a bevy of senior British parliamentarians had just completed our Irish census forms – as it happens, on the 90th anniversary to the day of the Easter uprising. And Peter Robinson of all people was about to break bread with the Irish Foreign Minister and save the bacon of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body. Could this be the same Peter Robinson …

Full text of Peter Robinson address to British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body

Gary Kent on April 27, 2006, 4:44 pm

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Then formal presentation by DUP Deputy Leader Peter Robinson to the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body in Killarney on Monday went down very well. One member told me it was very statesmanlike. Many agreed that it was very clear and courteous. It repays full study and the entire text is here too. Gary Kent Peter Robinson address. We are unionists – by birth, by desire, by conviction – unapologetically, unflinchingly and unalterably. We are not nationalists who have lost our way. We …

DUP to travel south for British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body

Gary Kent on April 13, 2006, 3:38 pm

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This is a major breakthrough for the work of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body, which brings together Irish, British and other parliamentarians twice a year to discuss matters of mutual interest in these islands. The Body has been boycotted by unionists since its inception 16 years ago but the next meeting of the Body in Killarney from April 23-24 will be attended by four leading members of the Democratic Unionist Party. The high-powered DUP delegation will be led by the party’s …

The fall and rise of the SDLP?

Gary Kent on March 31, 2006, 12:51 am

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The SDLP is down on its uppers. It defied those who predicted complete meltdown under the hammer blows of Sinn Fein and retained three Westminster seats. It’s often overshadowed by Sinn Fein’s superior party machine which some say has a certain military discipline, better fundraising and high profile visits to Downing Street as well as often criticised side deals to keep the party in the limelight. Yet there is a feeling that Sinn Fein have overplayed their hand and could …

Be old, and be smart

Gary Kent on March 16, 2006, 1:49 pm

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People were puzzled by Lord Laird’s question on older drivers but this Laird question and answer is more obviously useful. He wanted to know how many senior citizens have taken up Translink smart cards since their introduction in May 2002. The minister published a league table comparing take up with eligible population, in June 2004. There are some striking gaps in, for example, Mid Ulster and in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Any explanations? Belfast East, 13,604/14,981. Belfast North, 12,840/14,290. Belfast …

Be afraid, be very afraid?

Gary Kent on March 16, 2006, 4:03 am

| Readers 40

You can learn a lot from written answers in the Lords where Ulster Unionist Lord Laird is a regular interrogator of government ministers. He has uncovered how many less than sprightly drivers there are in Northern Ireland. Now, I’m not too far from being able to get cheaper insurance from Saga myself and don’t therefore believe in ageism but the answer may make you a little queasy when you next take the wheel. There are: 20,603 licenced drivers aged 76 …