Parties – Page 62 – Slugger O'Toole

“Sinn Féin just haven’t made any impact at all.”

Pete Baker on November 15, 2010, 3:59 pm

| Readers 13

When Gerry Adams announced his intention to leave west Belfast for a bid to hold onto a seat in Louth, to be vacated by Arthur Morgan, the Sinn Féin president was keen to paint the move as his duty “in this time of crisis in our country“. Or, as Martin McGuinness would have us believe, “to play a central role in the battle for Ireland’s economic recovery”. As the Irish Times noted Sinn Féin sources insisted last night that Mr Adams’s decision to …

A profound shock to unionism – a necessary step along the road to final agreement

Brian Walker on November 15, 2010, 12:33 pm

| Readers 18

The Anglo-Irish Agreement whose 25th anniversary falls today immediately exposed the limitations of a unionist veto on all political progress. But its equally significant and unintended result over time was to demonstrate the impossibility of reaching full agreement without participation by all sides, Sinn Fein as well as unionists. Understandably perhaps, retired mandarins of Iveagh House like Sean Donlon stress the check to unionism. Essentially the elements of the 1985 Agreement remain the default position should the GFA and St …

Margaret Ritchie is offering real leadership

Brian Walker on November 14, 2010, 10:33 pm

| Readers 51

While one nationalist leader may be fading out from the northern scene, another is exhibiting real poise and growing self confidence. This image and this underrated leader’s speech deserve an imaginative, constructive and magnanimous response. 　SDLP Progressive nationalism is more confident, more optimistic, and more ready to engage wholeheartedly across the divide. We are not afraid to say ‘Northern Ireland’ or to encounter a member of the British Royal family at a function. How ridiculous was it for Martin …

International Representative for west Belfast to contest Irish seat?

Pete Baker on November 14, 2010, 1:23 am

| Readers 17

Apparently the rumours are true… We’ll see. The BBC reports that the International Representative for west Belfast, Gerry Adams, MP, MLA, is “expected to announce later that he intends running for the Irish parliament in the next election.” For Louth? As Gerry Adams said himself, “I think there is an issue that I do not stand for election in the south and I have a constituency in another jurisdiction.” Indeed. Update From the updated BBC report Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is …

“They’re not putting a time scale on it”

Pete Baker on November 12, 2010, 11:03 pm

| Readers 5

It shouldn’t be a surprise that as the BBC reports, “Northern Ireland to be last UK nation to fix a budget”. A mandatory coalition, by its nature, will generally find such a process more difficult than a voluntary coalition. But according to that BBC report On Friday, the Sinn Fein [Northern Ireland] Regional Development Minister [Sinn Féin’s] Conor Murphy said no budget would be agreed within the next two weeks. Mr Murphy said a draft budget “cannot be about a …

The Return of the Militants

Pete Baker on November 11, 2010, 9:51 pm

| Readers 44

BBC Newsnight’s Liz MacKean reports in advance of the publication of a report for The International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) – Return of the Militants: Violent Dissident Republicanism From the BBC report The report’s author, Martyn Frampton, told Newsnight that Northern Ireland is at a crucial juncture because of the coming together of two distinct generations of dissident republicans. Veterans disillusioned by the direction the republican movement has taken, who no longer believe the Sinn Fein political path …

Last major inquiry into the Troubles now in prospect

Brian Walker on November 11, 2010, 1:51 pm

| Readers 30

Owen Paterson has quietly made two of the most significant announcements of his term as NI Secretary, however long it lasts. The verdict on holding a Finucane Inquiry will come in the New Year. The fact that the family appear not to have rejected his publicly undisclosed proposals out of hand this time suggests an inquiry is on the way. This decision is consistent with Westminster’s bi partisan approach on inquiries. It fulfils a pledge. This was the one inquiry …

Owen Paterson: “it is appropriate that the First Minister and Deputy First Minister first discuss that with me”

Pete Baker on November 10, 2010, 7:05 pm

| Readers 13

Just in case there was any doubt, during Northern Ireland Questions in the House of Commons today, the NI Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, took the opportunity to set out the new ground rules for the NI First and deputy First Ministers. Interestingly, it was in response to what appears to have been an attempt by former NI Secretary of State, Shaun Woodward, to provide a false pretext for a meeting between OFMDFM and the Prime Minister – where budgetary concerns could then be raised. Here are the …

“The Provisionals must accept that this will happen to them, too.”

Pete Baker on November 10, 2010, 2:53 pm

| Readers 12

Liam Clarke was invited to speak at the launch of Richard O’Rawe’s second book on the disputed offer to end the hunger strike in the Maze – Afterlives: The Hunger Strike and the Secret Offer That Changed Irish History. In the News Letter he explains why and, in doing so, addresses a recent topic on Slugger. It is long past time we were free of this heavy hand, this atmosphere of threats and intimidation for anyone who tries in a serious way to …

Arthur Morgan: “It’s just the right time”

Pete Baker on November 9, 2010, 9:38 pm

| Readers 18

The Dundalk Democrat reports that Sinn Féin TD for Louth, Arthur Morgan, has announced that he will not be seeking re-election to the Dáil in the next Irish General Election. I hope it wasn’t anything we might have said… From the statement by Arthur Morgan on the Sinn Féin website. I have served two terms now as a Sinn Féin TD for Louth. It has been a great honour to represent the people of this county and it has been a …

“The contract is continually under review to provide the best value for money.”

Pete Baker on November 9, 2010, 3:49 pm

| Readers 8

According to the BBC report Subsidised food at Stormont’s canteen costs taxpayers about £500,000 a year, according to a member of the body which manages the assembly. The report quotes Assembly Commission member, the SDLP’s Pat Ramsay, on yesterday’s Assembly debate Mr Ramsey told the BBC the Assembly Commission “would be cutting our cloth no different to any other department” and he did not believe the debate was necessary. “If Peter Robinson or any other minister of the executive was concerned about …

Independent Republican Cllrs Confirm as Candidates in 2011

Pete Baker on November 9, 2010, 2:52 pm

| Readers 50

This should make the 2011 local council election in Magherafelt interesting. The Irish News reports today that The brother of IRA hunger striker Francis Hughes has confirmed he will stand against Sinn Féin in next year’s local council elections. Oliver Hughes sits on Magherafelt District Council as an independent republican representative for Moyola district after resigning in 2006 with former Sinn Féin colleague Patsy Groogan over what they described as “internal differences”. Mr Groogan also confirmed he intends to stand …

Olli Rehn says consensus would be of great benefit to Ireland

Pete Baker on November 8, 2010, 11:05 pm

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The ECB might have “the keys to Ireland’s silver”, but there may be some loose ends to tie up. There’s also a counter-argument to Morgan Kelly’s analysis here. The European Commission’s Internal Markets Commissioner, Michel Barnier, can “see light at the end of the tunnel…” Not excluding the possibility of an oncoming train… And as RTÉ reports European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn has called for political consensus to back the Government’s four-year economic plan and the Budget. Which is …

“cutting their own pay and numbers is more for the optics than the effect”

Pete Baker on November 8, 2010, 5:36 pm

| Readers 7

The BBC reports that the Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a motion, proposed by the NI First Minister, DUP leader Peter Robinson, wearing his East Belfast MLA hat, calling on the independent Assembly Commission “to reduce its running costs in line with the level of reduction faced by Executive Departments.” The Belfast Telegraph report notes, On Monday [Peter Robinson] outlined a range of further cost-cutting steps including the voluntary freezing or reducing of ministerial or Assembly member costs and ending the subsidy of Assembly …

“ONH and the other dissident groups cannot succeed where, as they point out themselves, the Provos failed”

Pete Baker on November 5, 2010, 3:36 pm

| Readers 183

Unlike the Guardian’s interview with the Real IRA, Brian Rowan’s interview with leadership representatives of Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH) was face-to-face and, as he admits, unnerving. From the interview in the Belfast Telegraph Rowan: Let me talk about contacts, quiet dialogue, involving mediators talking both to your organisation and British and Irish officials. Do you recognise that description? ONH: I recognise the description, yes. Rowan: I’m told it’s at two levels — alternatives to punishment attacks, and exploring a way forward …

NI Policing Board has “no existing long term strategy” and there is “no value for money culture”

Pete Baker on November 3, 2010, 7:16 pm

| Readers 7

BBC NI’s home affairs correspondent, Vincent Kearney, has seen a copy of an independent review of the NI Policing Board – which the board is due to discuss at a private session on Thursday. From the BBC report There are some positive words, with the author acknowledging that the board has dealt with some difficult policing issues since it was established in 2001. It also states that the board has “a good record of success in complex political and social circumstances.” But …

Austerity can unite rather than divide the Assembly

Brian Walker on November 3, 2010, 11:46 am

| Readers 3

I find myself picking up on Ed Curran’s column again. This week he fears a fresh Assembly crisis over the cuts. In an open letter to David Cameron he claims You have planted an economic bomb under Parliament Buildings at Stormont. And goes on to say The 2011 elections for the devolved assemblies could not have fallen at a worse time, because the parties in power have nothing to gain and everything to lose if they are seen to be …

“They need now to come forward and explain what warped logic they had for these actions.”

Pete Baker on November 2, 2010, 1:41 pm

| Readers 27

In the Belfast Telegraph, one of those targetted in last night’s pipe-bomb attacks, the chair of the Felon’s Club in west Belfast Liam Shannon speculates that “I think it’s likely to be loyalists”. Is it? The BBC separately reports that Mr Shannon said he did not want to speculate on who was responsible but appealed for no retaliation. And today there are further security alerts in west and north Belfast. Adds UTV report on security alerts. Pete Baker

“Sinn Féin is replacing a number of Councillors at City Hall…”

Pete Baker on November 1, 2010, 4:46 pm

| Readers 139

DUP MLA, and junior minister, Robin Newton, appears to have rattled the cage of fellow Belfast City Councillor, Sinn Féin’s Tom Hartley, with his speculation “about Sinn Fein removing six of their current Councillors” on Belfast City Council. “It seems that the current Sinn Fein group is seen as being too soft and is perceived as having become institutionalised and establishment friendly. It looks like the extreme socialist wing of Sinn Fein is unhappy with the performance of the current supposedly …

A modest start on the local budget

Brian Walker on November 1, 2010, 12:12 pm

| Readers 5

Peter Robinson’s proposal for a two year pay freeze for public sector workers earning more than the UK average marks a definite start to getting down to local budget negotiations. Gerry Adams’s call in the Assembly last week for a 15% cut in the salaries of MLAs and top civil servants was part of a threadbare offer but at least shares with Peter’s an attack on the public wages bill. Peter’s additional proposal for “an end to “one-step progression” under …