Gary Kent argues that nothing less than a decisive break from the past will do to set the process finally and irreversably on its path and that this will depend on movement from a number of actors, not just one. 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
Mitchell McLoughlin sounds the most confident note coming out of Sinn Fein with some optimism a deal can be done. Trimble may be wary but there is a sense he will be happy to go into an election if he has something substantial he can sell as a fruit of his ‘tough’ negotiation stance. 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 …
Christopher Hitchens takes a wide view of the responsibilities of empire (and latterly simply the developed world), and concludes that “…the British past is replete with lessons on how not to discharge it.” More from Hitchens here. 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 Belfast Telegraph this afternoon covers the Bush administration’s decision to slash its contribution to the International Fund for Ireland from $25m to $8.5m. 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 looks like NI will first see the first effects of a drive to narrow the gap between public service charges there and Britain in their water bills. 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
At last, public unanimity on one subject from ALL the major parties! Carmel Hanna fronted a report backed by all 14 of her fellow committee members on tackling 3rd world poverty. 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 piece by the Irish Independent’s security editor suggests that the leadership of the IRA has given its negotiators the power to ‘determine the future of the organisation over the next six weeks’ – although by its constitution any decisions need to be approved by a meeting of its Army Convention. Update: This is now being denied by Republican sources. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and …
In the now subscription locked Prospect magazine Iain McLean discusses the lessons to be drawn from the devolution project across the board. He concludes that all administrations have sought to make their distinction from central government through changes in social policy, but he beleives they are in danger of developing serious inconsistencies in terms of what finance controls remain in the hands of central government. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of …
Alliance leader David Ford speaking at the annual conference just outside Belfast has proposed changes in the way in which the First and Deputy First Ministers are chosen to guarantee that whatever the composition of the Assembly, the institutions will continue to operate. The full text is available here. 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 …
The Sunday Life paper reports that we can expect substantial decommissioning by the IRA by St Patrick’s Day. The figure being discussed is 100 tonnes, roughly half of the load received from Gaddafi in the 80’s. However it is unlikely that they will accept filming of the event(s) 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 …
One of the most significant moves last week was Ahern’s backing of sanctions for anyone breaking their committments under the Agreement. It may have done the Irish government’s standing with ordinary Unionists no harm, but i Nationalists are not so keen. Sean Mac Carthaigh speculates on the motivations behind what he sees primarily as a concession to Unionists. However it seems the root cause is that Sinn Fein have lost considerable sympathy in Dublin over the revelations of a spy-ring …
Liam Collins speaks to a number of quality sources. Bearing in mind that most of them are relatively Unionist-friendly commentators, some important points arising out of last weeks events are aired: Henry Patterson: “…there is a constituency of Protestants which don’t feel they have got anything out of the deal and it is all one-way traffic. If the IRA were to make a decisive break it would be much easier for Trimble to win the doubters over.” Paul Bew: “The …
Though Ruth Dudley Edwards by no means relates the whole story of the troubles and why the IRA committed so many years and lives to the Armed Struggle, the figures make for sober reading. 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
Danny Morrison reviews a recently published work by Frank Costello on the seminal period in Irish history between 1916 and 1921. Costello says that Irish nationalists have failed to understand the determination on the part of Ulster Unionists to remain outside an Irish state, wrongly believing that they can be easily integrated if compelled by Britain. However, as a people who have been the victims of that ‘determination’ for decades, I think nationalists actually have a handle on what makes …
James Murray Brown is convinced that one of the most significant development in this round of talks is the decision of the Irish government to give support to the Unionist idea of imposing sanctions on Sinn Fein in the case of a breach of ceasefire by the IRA. Mitchel McLaughlin adds his voice to a note of disappointment. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider …
It appears that the break-down (sub needed) of negotiations and Trimble’s rather dramatic exit to Westminster was over the application of sanctions for anyone breaching the ceasefires. The feeling amongst the Unionists we spoke to last night was that whilst they had no objections to sharing power with Sinn Fein, they were glad that Trimble appears, for once, to have left the ball in the IRA’s court. In fact, in the west of NI, where Unionists and Loyalists appear to …
Kevin Toolis is convinced that even if the IRA puts its arms beyond use, it’s unlikely the Republican movement will give up on its own powerful founding myths. Found thanks to Paul Dunne. 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
Perhaps one of the last ways that Northern Ireland has recognisably still resembled the Republic more than most of the rest of the UK has been the more central importance of agriculture in both social and economic terms. Michael Drake explores a sharp (and for many) painful decline, which is affecting both sides of the community here. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media …
The UUC has rejected even the most minor party reforms, causing a certain degree of frustration amongst some on the modernising wing of the UUP. 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
Intense discussions continue at Hillsborough Castle today – with British PM Tony Blair cancelling a date with the Queen to stay in Northern Ireland. Mr Blair and Irish PM Bertie Ahern were due to update the press around now, but instead are reported to be joining the pro-agreement parties in round table talks, starting at 6 pm. We may hear a statement from the PMs around 7 pm. So what�s going on? Rumours from Hillsborough suggest a breakthrough is in …
