From time to time, Slugger O’Toole will choose particular aspects of NI politics and culture to investigate in greater depth. The first of these will look into the future of Unionism. Over the next few months we will bring you interviews with people from all parts the Unionist community and give you the opportunity to share your own views. By the end of the process we will produce a short pamphlet, which will be available here in download form; with …
Peter Kelly talks to SDLP Councillor Pat McDonnell on a possible alternative channel to the re-invigoration of the Stormont based institutions, raised at a recent meeting of the Northern Ireland Local Government Re-organisation Conference. “I envisage the setting-up of eight super-councils, one for each of the counties and one city council each for Belfast and Derry,” explained the Omagh historian and former teacher. “Thus sacred devolution is upheld and locally elected representatives still make the vital decisions in the eight …
The Belfast Telegraph has something of a double act from Malachi O’Doherty and Steven King. Though sectarianism in the context of Northern Ireland is often associated in the public mind with Unionism, O’Doherty suggests Ahern view it in other terms: …sectarianism, the inclination to favour one side, and the failure to detach from the quarrel enough to see what bugs the other. Nationalist sectarianism expresses itself as a feeling that Gerry and the lads are a grand bunch underneath it …
Some of you have sent kind remarks about the new site design. For this we are deeply indebted to Abi Davis, resident web designer at River Path Associates, who has worked long and hard for much of the last week on it. Any plaudits should certainly go to her. 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 …
Malachi O’Doherty takes in a quick scan of the political horizon and wonders if anyone can come out the forthcoming negotiations with anything to offer their supporters: Everyone is in trouble. It is hard to see how anyone can get all they want out of this crisis. Which is perhaps why Richard Haass is expressing doubts they have it in them to move. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet …
Gary McDonald reports (subscription) on the continuing under performance of Northern Ireland: It will take ‘another generation’ for Northern Ireland�s economy to move away from its reliance on the public sector, forecasters warned yesterday. Although the north’s economy should grow ‘slightly faster’ this year than in 2002, the region’s economic activity rate will remain the poorest of all the UK regions. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics …
Eric Waugh focuses his direct criticism on Martin McGuinness. But what’s really interesting in his reading of the Belfast Agreement, is that whilst we may have a unique form of consociational government that theoretically enfranchises all sides of the community, the combative nature of competitive democracy may mean it just cannot work in practice. “One of the signal failures of the Agreement has been its utter inability to inspire its brainchild, the power-sharing Executive, with even the semblance of cohesion. …
The first reaction from David Trimble after talking to Bertie Ahern is that there is not enough on the table from the IRA to satisfy Unionist demands. On the closing timetable to find a saleable settlement he said: “The Taoiseach thought that we were looking at a period of about five or six weeks before other things crowd us off the agenda. I am hoping we will see more intensive discussions between all of the parties to try and break …
Usually for any middle ground party, this is the third time this week the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition has hit the headlines. In response to Newt Emerson’s controversial attack on the Women’s Coalition, Monica McWilliams wrote in yesterday’s Irish News: “Women have to be at the table to contribute to solving problems, whether it�s a local issue or negotiations for an international peace agreement. I�m not talking about one or two token women, but as full participants. Yet in Northern …
Speaking in Barcelona, David Trimble says emphasis should remain on decommissioning. 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
And looking at matters from the other end, Jonathan Foreman examines Scorsese’s script for Gangs of New York and finds it wanting in terms of historical accuracy. 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
Eilis O’Hanlon criticises the leadership of Mark Durkan for not seeking to wrest the initiative for the Nationalist agenda from Sinn Fein: “He lacks concentration. He too easily allows himself to be drawn into pointless philosophical debates with Sinn Fein, such as when a Catholic majority will emerge, instead of dragging the fight constantly back to issues on which he can draw blood.” “Sinn Fein’s attitude to the SDLP, meanwhile, is to patronise and insult them when they make brave …
Alex Maskey delivers Sinn Fein’s latest assessment of the current health of the Peace Process. The crux of the speech’s demands appear to revolve around three primary elements: – a new police service which nationalists and republicans can support and join. – irreversible and transparent legislation securing human rights and justice for everyone. – parity of esteem for cultural rights and identity across society. Given these three things, it seems to say, all other issues seem to be settled from …
It seems that the BBC’s open invitation has encouraged some of Britain’s former colonies to vie for the world title; it seems that the Irish nationalist campaign won out, just ahead of the Hindu and Pakistani candidates. 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
A self-styled fin de si�cle round-up on Ireland’s fortunes and misfortunes from North Atlantic Skyline. 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
To pick up on how this story has been set up over the last few years, have a look at John Adams’ resume of opinion pieces, complete with links, and this article from Anthony McIntyre. Both look at the issue from a Nationalist point of view but, until now, that is where most of the comment and speculation has come from. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics …
Courtesy of Newshound, a report on Martin McGuinness’s work, and the promotion of integrated schools. 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 Irish News Unionist columnist Roy Garland suggests that those republicans who will settle for the full Agreement are the real successors to the original United Irishmen of the hugely emblematic Rising of 1798 when the rebels where largely lead by a group of Irish Presbyterians. 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 conversation with Frank Millar, Peter Robinson outlined the conditions for his party’s willing engagement with the peace process. He outlined what he believes to be fundamental flaws of the current Agreement. He returned to a theme his colleague Sammy Wilson outlined in more detail a few weeks back – the unaccountability of the institutions. He did not rule out working with Sinn Fein, but this would entail (amongst other things) finding a system that would allow all players to …
Peter Robinson talks about what he requires from Sinn Fein. Responding to the suggestion from Sinn Fein that the DUP will eventually have to talk to them, he says: …they must be looking to a time when they’re going to start behaving themselves, give up violence and stand down the IRA. All of those issues will be coming before any Democratic Unionist would ever engage with anybody from Sinn F�in. Our position is clear and we didn’t set the criteria. …
