Parties

“The content of this bill seeks to remove the Parades Commission…”

| Readers 6

Newshound spots an interesting report in the Newry Democrat.  I’ve already noted the decision by the Orange Order’s Grand Lodge.  Now it’s reported that, at a specially convened meeting, Newry and Mourne Council have agreed to oppose the Sinn Féin/DUP drafted Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill on the grounds it is “an infringement of civil liberties and human rights“.  According to the Newry Democrat report [SDLP group leader Councillor Gary] Stokes said Sinn Fein has “joined forces” with the DUP in promoting the …

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So where do we stand on the “Cohesion, Sharing and Integration” strategy?

| Readers 5

Now that the Northern Ireland First and deputy First Ministers have broken cover to condemn the recent violence it’s worth noting that although ACC Alistair Finlay hadn’t heard from them before today, he had heard from a junior minister in their office.  As Eamonn noted earlier [Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly] “Let me say this about ACC Finlay. In his own way he should stay out of politics. If he wants to talk to the First and deputy First ministers all he has …

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“But that money can only be delivered if we deliver…”

| Readers 11

Via Newshound.  The Impartial Reporter has some interesting quotes relating to what’s been happening on the ground in Newtownbutler. A source close to the residents of Newtownbutler revealed that when [Sinn Fein Councillor and Chairman of the Newtownbutler Residents Association Thomas] O’Reilly brought the proposal back to the residents, he told them that cross-community money was available through the Peace 3 Programme if they “delivered”. According to our source, Mr. O’Reilly said: “Over the past couple of years there has been some talks …

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Commons cuts will force radical reform and a smaller Assembly

| Readers 6

It’s now clear that the UK coalition’s decision to cut the number of MPs by 50 to 600 will have radical implications for the Assembly. Northern Ireland is set to have its numbers cut to 15 MPs, three fewer than at present. This is the up to date data Electorate                                                                 600 MPs England 38,241,036                                                 504.62 Northern Ireland 1,135,835                                    14.98 Scotland 3,864,416                                                     50.96 Wales 2,261,816                                                            29.82 　Quota 75,839 The Assembly is of course elected on the basis on the 18 Westminster constituencies. …

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“This is an attempt to curtail liberties and rights…”

| Readers 8

As I mentioned yesterday, there is a growing lobby opposed to the DUP/SF drafted legislation on contentious parades public assembly.  The Guardian has a short post by Dr Vicky Conway of the Human Rights in Ireland group blog.  As the post at the Guardian points out The Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill, published on 20 April of this year, stems from the Hillsborough Agreement of February which established a committee to deal with parading issues. Recognising the competing rights of all relating to parades …

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Further thoughts on the direction of unionism

| Readers 3

Prof Henry Patterson adds a similar perspective to Arthur Aughey’s . I quibble with him on two points one present, the other, past. Of the 1970s he says: At that time nationalists north and south, contemplating the deepening crisis of the Northern Irish state and the increasing if reluctant involvement of the UK government in its affairs, hoped that there could be relatively rapid progress towards unity. While it’s possible to uncover many statements and strategies to that effect you …

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Unionist can add to the UK by commanding ‘respect’…

| Readers 6

Given we are now heading into the decade of Centenaries, this is a nicely provocative piece from Arthur Aughey in the News Letter today, in which he gently teases some Republicans who seemed ‘convinced’ there would be United Ireland by 2016. More likely, claims Aughey that Northern Ireland will still firmly be part of the UK: …debating the future of the Union is no longer a peculiar Ulster pastime but is central to a deliberation about constitutional politics that is happening …

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“Wake up”, indeed.

| Readers 3

News that the Orange Order’s Grand Lodge has voted to reject the proposals contained in the draft legislation [pdf file] on contentious parades public assembly has prompted a rant about the “Orange State” from Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd – one member of the ‘working group’ responsible for the proposals.  But, as we’ve noted on Slugger previously, they are far from being the only group opposed to the legislation. As Eamonn McCann pointed out in the Belfast Telegraph recently In a discussion …

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Londonderry SF councillor still confused

| Readers 21

Sinn Féin councillor, Maeve McLaughlin, who doesn’t believe Londonderry [And Northern Ireland? – Ed] is still part of the UK, is now complaining that she can’t search the National Archives of Ireland for ‘Derry’.  As the Derry Journal reports Sinn Féin councillor Maeve McLaughlin said a number of local people had raised concerns about the website. “I was contacted by a constituent this week who had read in the local press that the National Archives of Ireland had a new online …

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Ad hoc group to seek way forward

| Readers 1

The Northern Ireland Executive’s “away day” at Greenmount Agricultural College has come to an end.  And they’ve reportedly agreed to set up a cross-party review group “in a bid to find a way out of the economic crisis facing the Executive.”  According to the BBC report It is understood ministers were given the full economic and fiscal context of what is happening. Official sources told the BBC the problems facing the Executive are enormous and on a scale people in …

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AV referendum stokes row with devolution

| Readers 2

 Trouble is brewing over the decision to hold a referendum on the Alternative Vote for the Commons on May 5 2011 , the same day as elections for the Scottish parliament and the NI and Welsh Assemblies, and council elections in England and NI. Despite the agreed coalition split over AV, the referendum may well become a public opinion poll on the coalition as a whole as the spending cuts bite. The  devolved administrations fear getting dragged down with it.  Alternatively if …

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“But there is no guarantee that any will be built…”

| Readers 7

The Northern Ireland Education Minister, Sinn Féin’s Caitriona Ruane, refused to tell the Assembly the details of the outcome of her department’s review of the schools capital build programme last week.  The BBC reports today that the department has now released the list of the schools whose plans comply fully with departmental policy (34), those who might, with further work, comply with policy (24), and those whose plans do not comply (8). But as the BBC report also notes A total of …

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Distrust of MLAs and rejection of the parties dominate annual survey

| Readers 4

A browse in the NI Life and Times Survey for 2008-09 published recently reveals the usual benign political attitudes without being able to explain how these fail to have a decisive impact  on voting patterns or the attitudes of elected representatives. Cynics say this shows the persistent unviability of political polling even now.  But this time, the main results may make even them sit up and take notice. A whopping 85% trust politicians not very much or not at all. 63% …

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NI Attorney General: ‘gap in the system introduced by the devolution of justice’

| Readers 17

Northern Ireland’s new Attorney General, John Larkin, was giving evidence to the Assembly’s Justice Committee today.  And, as the BBC notes, he repeated his concerns about his lack of oversight powers over the Public Prosecution Service. Last month, Mr Larkin said he might not have all the powers he needed. Unlike his direct rule predecessor, he will not have any powers of supervision over the Public Prosecution Service. Mr Larkin told the committee that in contrast to the position before 11 April, …

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“We must deal with the past without living in it.”

| Readers 5

The four three Victims Commissioners have published their “Advice to Government” on “Dealing with the Past” [pdf file].  From the document The Commission for Victims and Survivors has concluded that there is a need for the British Government, acting with the support of the Irish Government, to press the political and civic leaders of Northern Ireland to agree structures to deal with the past, beyond the current arrangements of the Historical Enquiries Team and the Police Ombudsman. An Irish Times …

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“there is therefore no good reason why its Members should not take their seats at Westminster”

| Readers 17

As the BBC reports, the government has stated that “Over the coming months Ministers will be talking to all Northern Ireland parties to address how to take the issue forward in light of the views and clear issues of principle we discussed today.”  The issue being the payment of allowances expenses to MPs who do not take their seats.  As the Deputy Leader of the House, Liberal Democrat MP, David Heath, told MPs yesterday The Committee on Standards in Public Life recognised when …

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Chief Constable seeks support for deployment of private security firms

| Readers 30

According to BBC NI Home Affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney, at Thursday’s meeting of the NI Policing Board the Chief Constable Matt Baggot will seek endorsement of a plan to use private security firms to replace the estimated 400 PSNI officers currently providing protection for politicians, judges and other potential terrorist targets, and guarding police stations. From the BBC report That backing is essential because the move would require new legislation, and that will only happen if there’s cross-party support within the …

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“it is important to restore the public’s confidence in NIW…”

| Readers 47

The NI Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee declined the offer to question directly the former chairman of Northern Ireland Water – who, along with the non-executive directors, disputes the circumstances of their dismissal in March.  Meanwhile, as the BBC notes, the NI Regional Development Minister, Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy, has appointed 4 new non-executive directors to the Board of NI Water by “an emergency process”. The new directors are: Mairtin O’Muilleoir, a Belfast businessman and former Sinn Fein councillor; Peter Bunting, …

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“we are over committed to over spend and these projects will be delayed”

| Readers 12

Unlike last week, the Northern Ireland Education Minister, Sinn Féin’s Caitriona Ruane, was on time today to make a statement to the Assembly on the review of her department’s programme of capital building schemes.  But, as the BBC reports, the statement was somewhat lacking in detail The minister told the assembly that she has made decisions on which of the 69 schools are to get the go ahead for new buildings. She said most have been approved, some have been …

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Towards a new politics, or just more groping around in the dark?

| Readers 11

Looking ahead to the twin delights of the Stormont recess and the climax of the marching season, thoughts are turning to the prospects for ” a new politics. ”  Well c’mon, it’s a slogan they’ve heard somewhere recently – was it from Westminster? David Gordon has kicked off a series of articles in the Belfast Telegraph, asking fundamental questions about the shape and direction of local politics. And not before time. For far  too long the paper has lived off …

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