Hass talks

Merry Christmas and (barring any more mega scale bank robberies) I’ll see you in the new year…

| Readers 61

So the people of the Republic contemplate the reality of post bailout Ireland (a rush at the Christmas tills will help no doubt), Scotland takes further steps towards greater political agency (regardless of the result of the IndyRef), Wales’s quiet and popular evolution of its assembly, and England’s creaks under the weight of some pretty draconian welfare. Meanwhile,  Richard Haass struggles manfully with Northern Ireland’s politics of small differences, that exist primarily but not entirely between the two senior  DUP and Sinn …

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SF’s proposals for “a single flag post in each area…”

| Readers 80

Mark Devenport is manfully working his way through some of the submissions to Haass… But one from Sinn Fein deserves some open airing… 1. No flags or emblems to be displayed on key arterial routes (to be defined) and town centres. 2. No paramilitary flags, displaying symbols or names, and regimental military flags (e.g. Parachute Regiment) on display in public places 3. No flags/emblems to be displayed in the vicinity of: a. Places of worship b. Schools c. Hospitals or …

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The DUP’s approach to dealing with the past rolls back the GFA

| Readers 122

Yesterday’s opposition day debate in the Commons on Dealing With The Past initiated by the DUP was attended by only just enough GB MPs – about 20-odd – to make up the quorum of 40. Have a browse in Hansard to get the full flavour if you’re feeling strong enough. Sinn Fein’s absence is a pity.  In parliament a real debate is better than  sermonising. If they were present there would be a lot more authentic flavour and  less of  the sound …

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