Parties – Page 56 – Slugger O'Toole

“this is significantly exacerbated by the political situation in Northern Ireland”

Pete Baker on February 21, 2011, 3:44 pm

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As well as those briefings by the Northern Ireland deputy First Minister, both he and the NI First Minister have been dismissing political criticism of the draft NI Executive spending plans as ‘electioneering’. No doubt that’s a consideration for some, but it’s not a charge that can be levelled at the Assembly’s Finance Committee. And as the Belfast Telegraph reports, PricewaterhouseCooper’s economic analysis of those draft plans is that “the [NI] Budget may not be deliverable in its current form”. [Esmond Birnie, Chief Economist at PwC …

McGeough: “Sinn Féin promised to use its influence…”

Pete Baker on February 20, 2011, 3:52 pm

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Sinn Féin’s Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, was quick to offer her support following Gerry McGeough’s conviction on attempted murder charges from 1981, and according to the transcribed Belfast Telegraph report on Newshound it wasn’t the first offer the party made. Gerry McGeough has claimed that Sinn Féin held secret talks with Gerry McGeough in which it pledged to use its influence to prevent his imprisonment if he stopped criticising the party. Speaking minutes before his conviction for attempted murder, McGeough said …

“I have heard it from very good authority…”

Pete Baker on February 19, 2011, 1:03 pm

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When is calling for a properly-funded opposition not a call for a properly-funded opposition? When it’s secret negotiations over compensation for lost ministerial funds… At least, that’s the line the Northern Ireland deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, has been busily spinning to anyone who will listen. And it comes “from very good authority”… “within the NIO”. [Ah, “the securocrats” – Ed] They’re on ‘our’ side this time! [They always were… – Ed] Indeed. Pete Baker

Gerry McGeough found guilty of 1981 murder bid

Pete Baker on February 18, 2011, 4:12 pm

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The BBC reports the verdict in the trial of Gerry McGeough for the attempted murder of a part-time UDR soldier [who was working as a postman at the time of the attack] in June 1981. From the BBC report Gerry McGeough, who was arrested in 2007, was convicted of trying to kill Samuel Brush, who is now a DUP councillor in Dungannon. McGeough was also found guilty of possessing firearms with intent and holding IRA membership. Vincent McAnespie, who was also standing trial, …

“Beards, fries, but no government…”

Pete Baker on February 18, 2011, 3:26 pm

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Crooked Timber’s Ingrid Robeyns ironically congratulates Belgium on setting a new world record without a government. As, indeed, do the Belgian people… 250 days and counting! Here’s a short CNN interview with Flemish comedian Geert Hoste And from a Guardian report On Thursday the word in Brussels was there would be fresh elections in April, a ballot likely to entrench the divide, deepen the crisis of political accountability and legitimacy, and result in yet further months of government-less squabbling. There is no talk of …

“That long term approach is not confined to policing…”

Pete Baker on February 17, 2011, 11:26 pm

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Confirmation that the UK government is to provide an additional £200million to help the PSNI combat the continuing, and increasing, terrorist threat here – over four years with £57.1m in 2011-12, £53.3m in 2012-13, £62.4m in 2013-14 and £26.7m in the final year. And the BBC report carries these comments from the NI Justice Minister, the Alliance Party’s David Ford. David Ford said he had worked closely with the Chief Constable “to ensure that the needs of Northern Ireland are recognised in …

Gerry Adams “considering all legal remedies open to him…”

Pete Baker on February 17, 2011, 3:05 pm

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Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness may believe that Gerry Adams’ “answer” is “the end of it” concerning questions over his party leader’s credibility, but the Herald reports that they have received a letter from the still Crown Steward and Bailiff of Northstead‘s solicitors following the publication of an interview with Jean McConville’s daughter, Helen McKendry. From the Herald article Adams’s solicitors McCartan & Burke claimed the article represented a “serious defamation” of their client who is “considering all legal remedies open to him”. Ms …

“Gerry Adams has given his answer and that’s the end of it as far as I’m concerned.”

Pete Baker on February 16, 2011, 10:41 pm

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The Northern Ireland deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, has been in Dublin, wearing one of his other hats ahead of the Irish general election. And he’s been getting outraged on behalf of the still Crown Steward and Bailiff of Northstead, his party’s president, Gerard Adams, at questions over his credibility. Oh, and on behalf of “people in the North”. From the iol report. Mr McGuinness said: “Gerry Adams has given his answer and that’s the end of it as far as …

Micheál Martin: “I think there is a huge problem for Gerry Adams in a credibility sense”

Pete Baker on February 15, 2011, 6:23 pm

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The Sinn Féin president, and still Crown Steward and Bailiff of Northstead, Gerard Adams has taken exception to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin raising the credibility question in relation to the SF leader’s murky past. [added final link] From the Belfast Telegraph report “There is a fundamental problem for Gerry when he continues to deny his membership of the IRA,” said Mr Martin. “Because every time he talks in this debate during the election about honesty, about being up front and transparent, it jars …

“This position could prove a political liability…”

Pete Baker on February 14, 2011, 5:33 pm

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Via Newshound. In the Sunday Times Liam Clarke picked up on the reaction by the Sinn Féin president, and still Crown Steward and Bailiff of Northstead, Gerard Adams to the recent reports of a possible visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II later this year. Here’s the An Phoblacht report of that reaction I don’t think the queen should come. There are hugely unresolved matters in terms of the British still claiming jurisdiction even though in terms of the Good Friday …

Enda Kenny: “There will be no complacency from Fine Gael”

Pete Baker on February 13, 2011, 4:54 pm

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The latest Red C poll for the Sunday Business Post shows a little bit of movement in support for a number of parties. From the iol report In today’s Red C poll commissioned by the Sunday Business Post, Fine Gael stands on 38%, a rise of three percentage points since last Sunday despite the controversy over the party leader Enda Kenny’s decision not to take part in the first of the leaders debates. Labour is down two points to 20%. Support …

“It is a doughnut approach to policy and economics…”

Pete Baker on February 11, 2011, 5:00 pm

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The Irish Examiner‘s Conor Ryan points to the hole in the doughnut that is Sinn Féin’s economic proposals for Ireland. Its tactics are concentrated on tapping those who have money, or who at least enjoyed the trappings during the Celtic Tiger. It hopes to bring in €120m on an increased second homes tax, it wants to find €285m on abolishing mortgage interest relief for landlords and €96m on raised capital gains tax. These appear to be realistic targets. But the more …

“The problem is much more a pragmatic rather than a moral one”

Pete Baker on February 10, 2011, 12:09 pm

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In the Irish Times, former deputy director of the International Monetary Fund, Donal Donovan, provides a timely, and useful, analysis of the various parties’ positions on the €85 billion IMF/EU bail-out ahead of the Irish general election. Here’s what he has to say on “burning the bondholders”. From the Irish Times article A major element in all parties’ programmes is the call to renegotiate the debt owed to bondholders. Implicit in the tone of the Fine Gael and Labour (and even …

“It’s all a bit hasty and half-cock…”

Pete Baker on February 8, 2011, 2:10 pm

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The Guardian‘s Michael White attempts to get to grips with the various parties’ sudden positioning on the need for political reform ahead of the Irish general election. Why are all the parties thrashing around for reform? You must have guessed. Because after 20 years of purring happily as the Celtic Tiger economy, the Republic of Ireland has suffered a double smash since the crash of 2007, its cronyist politics – obsessed with permanent pork-barrel electioneering – widely blamed for not challenging the …

“I recognise and support the desire for full transparency in politics…”

Pete Baker on February 7, 2011, 1:54 pm

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Last month Gonzo noted the UK “Government’s response to the public consultation on the confidentiality arrangements that apply to donations and loans to Northern Ireland political parties.” NIO minister Hugo Swire was quite explicit that the reason the identities of donors to political parties would remain secret was the threat of intimidation. But it’s possibly worth highlighting one of the Government’s proposals in particular [pdf file] 13. There remains strong opposition from some sources to the release of all details …

“Yet another crucial moment in the debt drama is upon us.”

Pete Baker on February 4, 2011, 11:56 am

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EU leaders are meeting in Brussels today, including caretaking Taoiseach Brian Cowen, and the Irish Times‘ Derek Scally has had sight of a draft paper on Frau Bundeskanzlerin’s “grand bargain”. From the Irish Times report The draft paper is low on detail but high on ambition: “to create a permanent connection between European competitiveness, growth and viable financial politics”. After presenting the broad brush strokes today, Dr Merkel wants EU leaders to discuss the detail and fill in the canvas by …

“Political parties will ignore that explosive mix at their peril…”

Pete Baker on February 3, 2011, 12:18 pm

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Notwithstanding Mick’s analysis of the latest polling figures, today’s Irish Times editorial makes an important point. AS THE general election campaign gets under way, a high level of volatility persists within the electorate with one-third of voters likely to change their minds, according to the latest Irish Times /Ipsos MRBI opinion poll. That uncertainty is compounded by the fact that a further 26per cent have not made up their minds; have refused to say or will not vote. Political parties will …

Frau Bundeskanzlerin’s “grand bargain”

Pete Baker on February 2, 2011, 1:57 pm

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The BBC’s Europe editor, Gavin Hewitt, has the latest murmurings from Europe on Frau Bundeskanzlerin’s “grand bargain”. If true, it could indicate the price to be paid for renegotiating the terms of Ireland’s €85 billion bail-out… From Gavin Hewitt’s Europe blog Much of the detail is still being discussed. There are differences within the German cabinet and between eurozone countries. However, a broad outline is emerging. Germany will agree to increase the lending power of the main bail-out fund (the EFSF) so …

Election: New government expected but same old politics to continue.

ItwasSammyMcNally on February 1, 2011, 6:23 pm

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Back on the 23rd June 2006 when Ireland was the richest country on the planet Berty Ahern, Taoiseach, had this to say in the Dail. “You would love to bring us back to the pathetic poverty when de Valera and Lemass built social houses, when no other houses were being built.” That was the “great tradition you and your merry warriors want to bring back too”. “You have a failed ideology and the most hopeless policy pursued by any nitwit. …

“But Sinn Féin is different from the other political parties…”

Pete Baker on January 31, 2011, 5:14 pm

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He has only just moved there, after all… but RTÉ’s 20 minute interview with the Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead, Gerard Adams, is worth listening to in detail. Mick’s already noted the claimed introduction of a “warm weather payments” in the last (Stormont) budget. The Irish Times notes that… SINN FÉIN president Gerry Adams has said that telling the IMF “to go home and take their money with them” remained his party’s policy. His said his party, …