With the last rather pessimistic word going to Michael McDowell, the Republic’s Minister of Justice, that’s about it from Slugger for now. There will only be blogging here over Easter, if there is an outbreak of substantial developments. Otherwise, have a good Easter all! In the meantime you can keep up to date through the excellent Newshound. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media …
Peter Kelly’s analysis for the Irish World. He believes that this should be a definative moment: The crux has arrived. Call it the fork in the road, the endgame or choose from the differing elaborate descriptions that media and government spin doctors will offer, this week appears to hinge the final �reveal all� in the process that has uncannily resembled a political poker game in recent times. With the definition of perseverance stretched to its most exaggerated and strained limit, …
A modern, wired Dublin as written through the eyes of poet Dennis O’Driscoll. Adam Kirsch reviews his latest work. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Thirty three years ago today the Rev Ian Paisley entered the original Stormont Parliament. I think it is fair to say that things have never been quite the same since. Thanks to Emily for the link. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
This has been sitting in my must post pile for most of the day. It’s a particularly hard hitting editorial in the New York Times, railing against the conduct of the IRA during the latest crisis. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
It appears we have confirmation that the elections will go ahead, well before any indication as to whether there is to be a deal. There is a still a possiblity it could follow, with the Loyalists sudden chosing to engage with the de Chastelaine decommissionig body. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the …
In lighter mood, the blogger at North Atlantic Skyline links to a science piece on the health benefits of Irish coffee – well almost. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
The first signs are not good. The UUP, the prime player in this ‘mating game’ has rejected the IRA statement as meeting their needs. The betting will now likely shift to whether or not the election is still on for the 29th May. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. …
It looks like a DUP candidate is set to take the top council job in Belfast after Sinn Fein’s first incumbent Alex Maskey’s term comes to an end in June. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Belfast blogger Ma Bear has the statement announcing the current proposed version of the IRA statement: Following approaches from others, the leadership of the IRA undertook to draw up a statement setting out our views on recent developments in the peace process. We did so because of our commitment to this process and our desire to see it succeed.
And for the one Glentoran supporter who I know for certain reads this blog, they have lifted the Irish League championship with four matches to spare! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Henry McDonald suggests the real deficit in public order in Northern Ireland can be measured in the number of punishment beatings still being administered in lieu of a Sinn Fein acceptance of the PSNI. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Tainiste Mary Harney, has entered the fray over the current breakdown with an impassioned plea in a speech to her party’s conference in Galway. We are tired of the myth of Sinn Fein and the IRA being separate. We know the provisional republican movement is one. All of us are tired of reading between the lines. We want the truth. We want clarity. We want results. Is the war over? Will guns and Semtex be put beyond use? Will Sinn …
Fionnuala O’Connor, reckons the business at Hillsborough had more to with Baghdad than Belfast. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Martin McGuinness is in combative mood and suggests that nothing can happen until the blueprint documents are in the public domain. There will also be an opportunity for the armed groups – including the IRA – to comment on that. I am prepared to be patient and to wait to see what transpires. But the joint declaration needs to be published. If we are going to break the deadlock, everybody is going to have to move – and I am …
Leading anti-Agreement Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson speculates that there may be a serious split within Sinn Fein and the IRA, and suggests (perhaps rather mischievously) that the elections in May could lead to an adminstration without Sinn Fein. I suspect there are internal differences within Sinn Fein and some are not prepared to go as far as the Governments require. There seems to be some in the IRA who don’t want to. The implication of that would be the Government …
Mark Durkan thinks that the main outline and purpose of the deal has been misrepresented to some within the IRA. Maybe people had misinterpreted to them what was the intent and the will and the requirement of the two governments and of all the other parties as well. Maybe they understand that better now. He also drops a hint to what the new deadline might be. He talks of only having 96 hours left to cut a deal before the …
It’s strangely reminiscent of the Good Friday of five years ago yesterday that a great deal of candle wax was burned right through the night last night. According to Jeffrey Donaldson: …the IRA hasn’t come up to the mark in terms of what was expected both in statement and IRA action”. David Trimble, no doubt with the practical constraints on the pro-Agreement lobby in own his party in mind, has warned that there is only a day or two left …
Anthony McIntyre hints (rather heavily) that the visit of the US president to Belfast was a severe test of Sinn Fein’s twin track approach. It may be starting to unravel in public, as it tries to retain its radical credentials and keep inside the same negotiating tent with the US. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking …
Interesting snippet from Patrick Wintour in an issue of the Guardian back June 1999 may help put this latest drama in perspective: There have been so many moments of truth in Northern Ireland politics that it is easy to dismiss Wednesday’s ‘absolute deadline’ for agreement on a new executive as just another piece of brinkmanship that will either end with 13th-hour agreement or another fudged formula to keep the parties talking. In fact it was to take another six months …
