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Towards the cost of SluggerYou are here Home | February Next or Previous « January 2004 | Main | March 2004 » |
February 27, 2004 New News Letter editor... AUSTIN Hunter is the new editor of the News Letter. Austin is the PSNI Director of Media & Public Relations and a former Political Liaison Officer for the BBC. A new job for his birthday! St Patrick's Day row... THE annual St Patrick's Day fest... argument is brewing once again, this time over whether Girls Aloud should be allowed to use City Hall as a changing room. [more] Irish Labour presentation to Review As the Irish Labour Party now has members in Northern Ireland. It's only branch in there, the NI Labour Forum, has just released it's proposals for the review of the Belfast Agreement. Much of the detail is focused on adminstration and procedure, a lot of which go way beyond the confines of the current review process. But in the event of a genuine collapse of the current review, does it have the look of a credible Plan B? [more] PIRA membership practically legal... MEMBERSHIP of the PIRA is non-prosecutable while it is on recognised ceasefire. If it isn't illegal, is it basically legal to now be in this non-proscribed organisation because of this section of the Terrorism Act (2000)? Community development..? LOYALIST representatives often talk about the need to deal with social deprivation in their areas, as this contributes to other problems. However, it is hard to see the value of the Department of Social Development approving £1,500 of Community Fund money, for example, for flutes for a new group in Glengormley, some of whom would be linked to the UDA. [more] Paramilitarism now the focus... THE Review is off next Monday, as the Two Governments want to focus on paramilitarism, and its “detrimental impact on our collective efforts to find a basis for sustainable devolution”. [more] Quote of the month... Roy Foster reviewing Fintan O'Toole's new book for the think tank Tasc in next month's Prospect: The Irish used to dig up Bond Street, now they own large chunks of it.Gaeilge bheo san hamharclann Chaith Gearóid Ó Cairealláin oiche spreaguil ag amharc ar Lá Fhéile Míchíl, dráma le Eoghan Ó Tuairisc, sa Cultúrlann, i mBeal Feirste. Agus thaitin sé go mór leis! [more] Republic's attention moves on from UK Tom Griffin takes a longer view of the Through Irish Eyes and argues that the modernisation of the Irish Republic has not meant Anglicisation. Burnside opens leadership debate... DAVID Burnside MP has just given his Stormont press conference to “open the debate” on the UUP’s leadership with a savage attack on the party leader. Mr Burnside said that David Trimble’s baggage was holding the party up: “He broke his word on ‘no guns, no government’ and that cost the trust of the Unionist people. He does not command the trust of the party and the Unionist electorate." [more] Violence continues in background BBC NI's What the papers say, follows up the only major news story of the week, but as Pat Brosnan highlights (registration required) in the Irish Examiner, Republicans are responsible for much the smaller part of the ongoing paramilitary violence. Making a Kiel-ing NI's 'favourite son' is about to make a lot of money in the USA, if reports are to be believed. Garda Síochána: just fourteen protestants? Stephen Dempster in the Newsletter has tracked down some interesting facts about the Gardai in the Republic. Just fourteen officers in a force of 12,000 are protestant. Burnside challenges Trimble David Burnside makes what looks like the first move challenge Daivd Trimble in the runup to the UUP's AGM next month. Ahern calls for more action from SF Bertie Ahern calls for greater role for Sinn Fein to definatively move the IRA away from all forms of paramilitary activity, "They have moved the IRA and the republican movement from a situation where they were deeply embedded in violence and brought them fairly close to the path of peace and political stability." More fame BBC News Online follows up the Slugger report on Hearts & Minds. February 26, 2004 Welcome Hearts and Minds viewers Welcome to Slugger. Not much happens here in the evening as most of the new stories are generated through the working day. But there are a few diehards prepared to kick the odd political football around until the small hours of the morning. Otherwise, just follow the links. [more] Set the video... DON'T forget that Slugger is featured on this evening's Hearts & Minds at 7.30pm on BBC2 and repeated at 11.45pm on BBC1. Members only... A MAN suspected of involvement in the Omagh bomb has admitted RIRA membership. Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has said he had always assumed that Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams was a member of the IRA. Adams denies it. [more] Tohill latest... ANTHONY McIntyre gives his version of events surrounding the alleged abduction of Bobby Tohill, while Chris Thornton explains the reason why charges of IRA membership against the accused were dropped. [more] Ireland's fastest growing town? According to large picture on page 8 of last week's County Down Spectator, Holywood was winner of the Best Kept Medium Town in (six counties of) Northern Ireland. Last year it reached the top of the Best Kept Large Town in (thirty two counties of) Ireland. As Davidbrew might say, shurely shome mishtake. Republic to tighten social security The Irish government is likely to react to legislation being introduced in other current EU countries to discourage mass migration from the new members in Eastern Europe, by tightening rules on the rights to social security. Police Service of Neutral Ireland... A MAN with a tattoo of Northern Ireland and its flag on his arm has been rejected from the PSNI. "It is the Police Service of Northern Ireland, but you are not allowed a tattoo of Northern Ireland," he said. From Churchill to Sands... Pedram Moallemian gives an account of how Bobby Sands Street in Tehrain came to have its name. Allister sets out 'common market' stall... JIM Allister believes that he will be able to deliver for Northern Ireland in Europe, as his efforts will be enhanced by a DUP First Minister. Is this an indication of his preference for one of the DUP's options for a return to devolution? [more] Internet growth in Northern Ireland Over one-third (36%) of households in Northern Ireland have access to the internet at present. Household internet access via a home computer has increased dramatically in the past four years, from 13% to 34%. Only a small proportion of households use other methods of internet access; digital TV (2%), mobile phone (1%) or games console (<1%). Published in the continuous household survey - courtesy of reader Alan! Alderdice steps down... FORMER Alliance leader Lord Alderdice is to step down from his position as Assembly Speaker at the end of the month. He is to concentrate on his duties on the Independent Monitoring Commission. Proposals provide no incentive for Decomm? Reg Empey continues to plug away at the DUP on its suggestion that Sinn Fein could continue sit in an Assembly which can take executive decisions in plenary even if there is no further progress on IRA decommissioning. Truth cannot come in short term Brian Feeney argues that truth can only emerge in the long term, and that Truth and Reconciliation Commissions cannot not work particularly given the need to allow local democracy to take hold. [more] Has Trimble jumped too early Before they stole poll position within Unionism, the DUP's tendency to make their political manoeuvring in the wake of those of the UUP used to be the subject of some derision amongst members of the latter. This may have been uppermost in the mind of David Trimble when he threatened to pull out of the Review on Monday. However as Frank Millar reports, he may leave himself and his party exposed, if the DUP decide to stay. As one insider suggested, 'it has the look of a man whose mind is not on the job'. What no cinnamon lozenges? Can somebody tell me why Richie's have never exported their delicious sweets outside Ireland? I only twigged this last year, and now I go through this ritual of buying an embarrassing amount of children's sweets, each time I leave Belfast or Dublin airports. Belfast in a blanket of snow... A bomb has been defused outside a north Belfast pub. Apart from that, it's pretty quiet this morning. It must be the snow. February 25, 2004 Our Jimmy... SOMEONE was calling for more culture on Slugger. OK, how about James Young for starters - one of our all time favourite comedians in Ulster/Occupied Six Counties/Norn Irn. A bit before my time, but I'm sure all the senior sluggerettes will have fond memories to share... It looks like a really good site too. Slugger fans can email suggestions for new topics - whether news, politics or culture - to me at reclaim98@hotmail.com Slugger as a house of dialogue I've been in Belfast yesterday and today meeting a few people and filming an interview for the BBC Hearts and Minds programme for tomorrow evening. A number of our higher profile readers are also to be featured. [more] Trimble could 'end process'... Breaking news from the House of Commons: Trimble will “take steps next Monday to bring this process to an end” if the British Government fails to take action against Sinn Fein in relation to the alleged attempted kidnapping of Bobby Tohill. Blair seemed to indicate that this would be done if it could be shown to be a PIRA operation; another possible reason why PIRA membership charges were dropped against the accused? The real Ian Paisley... This week the Belfast Telegraph are running a series of articles on the life of one of most erstwhle of Northern Ireland's public leaders, Ian Paisley. Diversity vs political solidarity? Part two of David Goodhart's essay on the precarious balance between diversity and social solidarity is here. Not for the general reader perhaps, but important reading for politicians and policy makers. Part one here. PSNI: a question of accountablity Gerry Kelly outlines Sinn Fein's continuing case for withholding his parties support for the PSNI. UDA needs actions to prove its word Brian Rowan treats the UDA's pledge to maintain its ceasefire indefinately with some scepeticism, arguing that, "its word will only be trusted once it has been tested over a significant period of time". However, the words are promising in that it wants to explore ways of bringing paramilitary violence to a definative end. Some will argue that further progress on the definative decommissioning of the IRA, is unlikely until this question is answered. IMC report brought forward... I wonder if the fact that the European elections (north and south) are at the start of June have possibly have prompted the Secretary of State and Irish Foreign Minister to bring forward the Independent Monitoring Commission's report on paramilitary activity to May? Tonight's meeting between Martin McGuinness and the Taoiseach could be a heated one. Allister is Chosen One... AS predicted by Mick, Jim Allister is the DUP's candidate for the European elections in June, replacing Ian Paisley. Mr Allister said the enlargement of the European Union was going to "throw up tremendous challenges for Northern Ireland". "The days of easy grants are over. Impoverished states are joining European Union and less money is going to go to more prosperous parts such as Northern Ireland," he said. "In fact the UK will be expected to contribute more to the European Union which means less money in our pockets. "So the job will be harder but I believe that with my experience and commitment we can succeed." February 24, 2004 DUP's southerly outlook... IN today's Tele (though not in the online edition), Noel McAdam reports that the DUP will shortly publish its Strand Two (North-South) Review proposals. Sean Farren will be looking forward to that, as the SDLP is reluctant to discuss internal NI arrangements until it sees the colour of the DUP's 'north south' money. The DUP have already hinted that they are open to 'practical co-operation' on Strand Two - although they didn't take the bait over proposals for an all-Ireland pensioners' bus pass recently! [more] Diversity vs political solidarity? An interesting follow on from the last post calling for a new pluralist approach to Irish society is this essay from David Goodhart, the editor of Prospect magazine, in today's Guardian, which argues that the fulfilling the demand to accommodate diversity can lead to a fraying of the kind of political solidary that enabled the creation of institutions like the welfare state. Pluralist Ireland needed Eoghan Harris gives Through Irish Eyes another spin in last week's Sunday Independent. As well as taking his customary swipe at Sinn Fein, he argues more convincingly that for modern Ireland the issue of cultivating pluralism within the country goes much more widely than the historical argument with the British. Ireland and UK settle Olympic tiff The British Irish dispute over the Olympics appears to be heading for an amicable ending. Attack mustn't put process in danger? Yesterday's Belfast Telegraph took the opportunity to put it up to the IRA over it's policing proposals in the wake of last Friday's alleged abduction of Bobby Tohill. Gerry Adams however seems determined that Sinn Fein should not suffer politically over the incident. [more] February 23, 2004 The truth, the whole truth and…… Danny Morrison examines the idea of a Truth Commission arguing Republicans have less to fear from such an idea than the British Government. But he also expresses concerns that such calls from Desmond Rea and Hugh Orde may be the start of further attempts at delaying the Cory report, the investigations we hear it calls for and will not lead to truths at all. [more] Paramilitary policing is not sustainable Father Aidan Troy in last week's Sunday programme on Radio 4 gives some background the situation around the rise in suicide of young men. He beleives that the purely retributive form of justice taking place within a policing vacuum is not sustainable. OÉC ag tairiscint acmhainní ar son stádas na Gaeilge Tá tairiscint déanta ag an Roinn Dlí agus Gaeilge in Ollscoil na hÉireann Corcaigh a d'fhéadfadh réiteach a fháil ar an deacracht is mó atá ag an Rialtas maidir le stádas iomlán oibre a lorg don Ghaeilge san AE. [more] Stakeknife questioned... PRESS Association are reporting that it is believed that Stakeknife has been questioned by Sir John Stevens as part of his investigation into collusion. Meanwhile, Martin Ingram, co-author of Stakeknife: Britain’s Secret Agents in Ireland, has given an interview to a New York radio station. Political consequences... WHILE Sinn Fein will have doubts about how much unionists really care about the attempted kidnapping of a dissident republican, there are political consequences nonetheless. Trimble wants Sinn Fein excluded from the talks until there is an end to paramilitary activity. The DUP want the Secretary of State to rule on the state of the IRA ceasefire, and it will be most interesting to see whether Murphy goes for the Mowlam 'ceasefire' definition of 'internal housekeeping' or the 'Blair necessity' of ending all paramilitarism. NI too small for the truth? Angelique Chrisafis has been talking to a number of victims of the so-called Dirty War, and concludes that confidence in every finding the truth to the satisfaction of all is a tall order. Tohill, RIRA and that 'abduction' Ma Bear picked up most of the early reporting of the alleged abduction of former INLA activist Bobby Tohill on Friday. Martin McGuinness has called for judgement not to be passed until the facts are known. The DUP has seized upon the incident to push for a declaration from the British that the IRA ceasefire has been breached. Ciaran Barnes interviewed Tohill within hours of the incident for the Andersonstown News. [more] Getting the hang of it A (former) member of Ulster's Asian community gives the - fairly upbeat - story of his arranged marriage. When is a blog not a blog? Answer: when another blogger says it's not. Two of Northern Ireland's first generation bloggers believe Slugger is suffering some form of false consciousness. Mark who runs the Stray Toaster and Beowulf argue that Slugger is just not personal enough to earn the title of blog. [more] February 22, 2004 SDLP: McDonnell new number 2. Following the retirement of Brid Rodgers, Dr Alasdair McDonnell has been selected as the SDLP’s new deputy leader. He has also withdrawn from the race for the European candidacy. February 21, 2004 Beyond unanswerable questions Alex Kane with a discursive consideration of the merits or otherwise of Des Rea's proposal in the middle of the week to establish some form of Truth Commission. [more] SDLP Phoenix: No cloth, wear shorts. Two articles in yesterday’s Irish News considered the future for the SDLP ahead of its party conference. Former member Brian Feeny is of the opinion they have no way back and should consolidate in the role of a minority voice within Nationalism. Current member Sharon Haughey provides an emotional piece talking of heartache and looking at past glories, her hope for the future doesn’t seem based on much more than we can do it.As usual thanks to Newshound for the Irish News articles. February 20, 2004 SDLP: Dodo or Phoenix? In another analysis on the current state of the parties Mark Devenport has a look at the SDLP. His options for a rise from the ashes seem to be dominated by two options: Somehow coming out well from a move to exclude Sinn Féin and enter voluntary coalition with the DUP or a merger with Fianna Fail restoring their position. No mention of the SDLP being masters of their own destiny, the only options Mark sees depend on them becoming a member of previously rejected alliances. Talking with the UPRG and UDA. A year on from the ‘Gregg initiative’, know in some quarters as the UDA ceasefire, talks with and about the UDA continue. The Newsletter reports the UDA will make an announcement on its way forward this Monday and is engaged in talks with the British Government. Talks that according to a report in the Derry Journal, based on comments from the Derry UPRG, are due to the influence of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Mark Durkan. Review, policing and other hot potatoes Hearts and Minds kicks off with an interesting set piece between John Laird and one of the SDLP's best hidden talents, Tom Kelly. In the If you ask me slot Danny Morrison is not buying the DUP's Devolution Now proposals, at least until he sees how they are likely to approach the rest of the issues under the review. Nice blog BBC! Looks like the old lady of Ormeau Avenue has taken up our suggestion to catch up with their Celtic cousins in Scotland and Wales. We'd love to know who's behind it. In the meantime - welcome to this bloggin' world BBC! Modified citizenship cermony for NI Brian Walker sees David Blunkett's plans for new swearing in for UK citizenship in Britain are be significantly modified when they are implemented in Northern Ireland, in recognition of local sensibilities. Farren ar bhealach Eorpach? Beidh Sean Farren san iomaíocht d’ainmniúchán an SDLP don toghchán Eorpach. Daoine eile san áireamh: Alban Maginness; Martin Morgan, atá sa mhéaracht faoi láthair; Joe Byrne; Patricia Lewsley agus Alistair McDonnell. Blogging: power or froth (2)? The ever talented Bran at Blog Irish answers our question about the nature of blogs: speak froth to power. For other gems, especially for Camille Paglia on Joyce, scroll up and then back down again. Liberalising committee meets in Dublin Indymedia notes the Dublin meeting today of the Article 133 Committee, which will discuss amongst other things the various positions within the EU going into the GATS negotiations at the WTO. McNarry stands down David McNarry, former close advisor to David Trimble will no longer sit on his party's Executive after he stood down as chairman of the Stangford Unionist Association. It appears that the Rev Martyn Smyth has been at his post on the UUC Executive since 1965. Without a break! Is that a record? Reiss: no change to voting system Talking at a press conference George Bush's special envoy Dr. Mitchell Reiss insisted that the current voting system established under the Belfast Agreement should remain in place after the current review. King of the blogs... HEY, we made the news again. Mary Fitzgerald introduces Belfast Telegraph readers to Slugger, "The undisputed king of Northern Ireland's political blogs". Importance of all Ireland institutions Jude Collins was at the Through Irish Eyes seminar in the Mansion House last week. He correctly pinpoints the strong east west ties apparent in the survey, and compares them with weak south north ties. But, he suggests, this misses the point. [more] Ahern: a deal must be done Bertie Ahern lays it on the line to both major parties to the current review. February 19, 2004 North/South figures The Central Statistics Office Ireland has a good website for those who haven’t visited. The joint report Ireland, North and South: A Statistical Profile 2003 from the NISRA and CSO is interesting but many other sections are worth a look [more] Police college for Cookstown The decision to site the new police college in Mid Ulster has been welcomed by the SDLP, but Alex Attwood's comment that: "...the SDLP pushed for and got a commitment that there must be full disclosure of why other locations have not been preferred, especially those with closer university links," seems a clear reference to John Hume's favoured site in Derry. What's sauce for the goose... TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is in Nothern Ireland today, and has urged republicans to give up IRA activity and unionists to share power in an inclusive government. However, this isn't something that Mr Ahern is willing to do with Sinn Fein in his own voluntary coalition Government. In 2002 he said: "Sinn Fein has to resolve its relationship with the IRA before becoming part of a sovereign Irish Government, exercising collective responsibility for justice and defence." ETA call ceasefire... THE Basque paramilitary group ETA has just called a ceasefire for the Catalonia region. Peace process observers will be aware of the international solidarity between the Basque separatist movement and militant Irish republicanism, and it wouldn't seem far-fetched to think that ETA may be learning from Sinn Fein and the IRA's experience since 1994. [more] Ahern snubbed by victims... THE families of the Omagh bomb victims have snubbed Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern on his visit to the north today, opting instead to talk to Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny. Feeney: British won't let go This week Brian Feeney fulminates against the great wee place mentality he believes is behind the latest DUP proposals for a renewed Agreement (though he also takes an uncustomary dig at Sinn Fein for it's Children's Minister proposal). Ultimately he blames the British adminstration exercising 'sovereignty as it sees fit, even to micro-manage northern politics'. He feels Sinn Fein is on a hiding to nothing. Legal bid against Adams fails Frank McCoubrey's attempt to take Gerry Adams to law over his refusal to take his seat at Westminster has failed. Can you handle the truth..? IAN Paisley Jr outlines the DUP's position on Policing Board Chairman Des Rea's proposal for a Truth Commission and amnesty. [more] Rise of anti-semetism? David Vance notes the European Commission is about to launch a large conference on anti-Semetism today. It was also the subject of an item on the Today programme this morning. More locally, the Andersonstown News recently noted attacks on the Jewish cemetary within the larger City Cemetary just off the Falls Road. Good blog reads Good blog reads at the moment includes 1169 and counting... well written blog snips from Republican history; an often fascinating read regardless of your politics. Ma Bear is chilling out in sunny California. Scholarly ex pat Eammon Fitzgerald, has a crack at the Ulysses controversy. The irrepressible Emily blogs from the same part of the world. Philosophy boxing on board the Shamrockshire Eagle. Tom Watson is caught between the Guardian and Private Eye. Peter Cuthbertson's collection of political hyperbole. The Agonist on the war the world forgot. And the pugnacious Kevin Drumm fights the US liberal cause. UUP and Orange on different tracks? The row between the Orange Order and the UUP continues on the way up the party's AGM with questions now focused on whether all the 120 Orange delegates are actually paid up members of the party. But as Mark Devenport suggests, neither party will want to rush into an premature or acrimonious divorce. February 18, 2004 Thanks... To Baseball Crank for the mention. Also Man U ruined..., with his thoughts on parallels with South Africa; Headlessness on the twin retirements of two big hitters; the excellent southern duo Back Seat Drivers; and Deborama on the rising boredom factor in NI politics. DUP put plans before London Irish Gregory Campbell spoke to a group of Irish in Britain last week; not usually the easiest of audiences for a Unionist politician of any hue. The normally sceptical Paul Donovan was impressed. Flying the (British) flag in the south? Steven King correctly notes that the Union flag was not displayed during the Through Irish Eyes seminar held last Wednesday in the Mansion House. One of the (non-Unionist) attendees asked that it be considered for inclusion at any similar future events. King highlights the residual sensitivity surrounding public displays of Britishness in the Republic. Joyce and confusion in Dublin More from Bran, on a little local difficulty in 'Blooms Town', with all manner of undignified brawling over the true meaning of the Joycian heritage. Call for super-inquiry... THE Chairman of the Policing Board has called for a Truth Commission. Prof Des Rea, who claims to have the support of his deputy, Denis Bradley, said: "There are people on both sides who have lost lives. There are people who have been injured, and there is a deep sense of hurt. Therefore a commission is the proper way to take into account that hurt, but also to seek to find a way forward that is a more productive way forward than the road that we appear to be embarking." [more] Ruball Shinn Féin in airde, ach... Agus an collunaí Aontachtach Ian Malcolm ag buartha faoin cinniúint an SDLP. Míneann sé, "braithim go láidir go bhfuil an éagsúlacht tábhachtach mar pháirt den phróiseas pholaitiúil agus, dá gcaillfí guth an SDLP mar fhórsa éifeachtach, ba thubaiste" Give us a goal Lawrie...... AS Lawrie Sanchez trawls the birth certificates of Man City's forwards, the rest of Northern Ireland wonders if the new manager can give us a goal tonight against Norway. If we go longer than half an hour without a goal, isn't that the new world record? [more] The special relationship... SPECULATION is growing that the Queen will visit Ireland this year - the first visit by a British monarch in 90 years, according to UTV. Princess Anne's visit is being seen as paving the way. Is this just the latest indication of the special relationship? Police Academy... THE site for the new PSNI training college to replace Garnerville is announced tomorrow. The front runners are Cookstown (beside the food science centre), Nutts Corner and Crumlin, according to the Beeb. Kerry blames DUP... Senator John Kerry in attacking the record of George Bush over Northern Ireland, placed much of the blame for the current impasse on the leading Unionist party, the DUP. [more] DUP: old habits die hard Sean Brady, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, was not included in the invitations to clergy to attend a recent breifing on education organised by the party. Over fifty church leaders attended. Ireland, Britain and the Olympics Bran at Blog Irish has some interesting and nicely researched thoughts on a current argument that has deep roots. February 17, 2004 RIRA sells online tat (Pt.2)... AFTER their last effort was closed down, Real IRA supporters are trying to flog their merchandise through 'cafeshops' - again. [more] Justice costs... IS justice a commodity? Are we getting good value from our lawyers? Are there any brakes on the legal gravy train? Blogs: power or froth? There are many claims and counterclaims for the internet, most of which amount to hyperbole or whatever it's antonym is (answers on an email). The Dean campaign in the US was used as an example of the power of the net, and no doubt the down turn in his electoral fortunes will now be used to claim the opposite. [more] Good humour, bad humour? Christie Davies of the Social Affairs unit had a bit of a ding dong with Bea Campbell on the BBC's Today programme yesterday argued that ruling humour out on political grounds is indefensible. An argument that Davies probably won courtesy of his strategic use of humour, which appeared (but perhaps didn't) to go right over Campbell's head. Malachi O'Doherty tracks the core of Davies' argument in the BBC NI's What the paper's say slot. 'Brain drain' over? Analysis of census and other statistics indicate that migration flows in the North are broadly balanced, with nearly as many coming as leaving. Other figures show in the year prior to the census 2,319 moved North from the South and 1,262 arrived who were members of ethnic minority groups. Full report and tables available from NISRA. DUP ag tochras ar a cheirtlín féin Chaith Póilín Ní Chiaráin seachtain seo caite ag breathnú siar ar na moltaí ón DUP don athbhreithniú an Chomhaontú Feirsteach, agus na freagraí gur thainig isteach orthu ón pairtithe eile, do Foinse. [more] Not very sporting The ongoing row between Derry City and Finn Harps is intriguing, and has relevance for a number of debates on this site. Interesting, although not surprising, that Derry City are not keen on having PSNI officers at their games - when the idea of not having police at a soccer match would horrify anyone associated with a premier division club anywhere else in Europe. Suffer little children? Despite the political progress of recent years and the apparent cooling off since the days of the Holy Cross crisis of September 2001, routine forms of community emnity continue to fly under the radar. Clare Dwyer Hogg reports on how the conflict transformation which is revolutionising relationships in and around Stormont has yet to make any serious progress within civil society outside. DUP capable of dealing with Nationalists In not much more than a few opening comments Sinn Fein's chief negoatiator, Martin McGuinness appears confident that after a period of transition the DUP has the potential to strike a deal with Nationalists. He goes on to outline the broad ambitions of the party, north and south of the border. And Allister makes four... Jim Allister of the DUP has finally thrown his hat into the Euro ring. His rivals number the former Stormont Social Development Minister Maurice Morrow, Mid- Ulster MLA William McCrea and Newry-Armagh MLA Paul Berry, all of whom already hold office within the Assembly. [more] Britain and the human rights agenda Danny Morrison provides the context for how many nationalists view the importance of implimenting a human rights agenda as part of Tony Bliar's acts of completion, but suggests that British government refusal to allow senior politicticians to appear before an Oireachtas committee charged with looking into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings betokens bad faith on their part. SDLP must see DUP cross border ideas Sean Farren has reiterated his refusal to talk with the DUP about matters relating to Strand One of the Belfast Agreement, until the party discloses it's full proposals for Strand Two. A-Maze-ing ideas... As the Prison Service prepares to hand all 360 acres of the Maze Prison Site back to the government, the BBC reports on the ongoing discussions over what to do with the site (more information on the process here). It seems Sinn Fein want a museum, there's some talk of a stadium, but ultimately, it sounds as if there's a serious lack of imagination - any ideas around here? February 16, 2004 Dope-y loyalist dealers... UTV goes Sunday World, as a new series of Insight begins by following the drug trail of destruction from Spain to the tormented streets of housing estates in Craigavon's Brownlow district tonight at 10pm. [more] INLA attacks linked to suicides... TWO young men have committed suicide in North Belfast after they were subjected to vicious paramilitary attacks by the INLA. [more] UK and Ireland: ties that bind & unbind John Barry of the Northern Ireland Green party describes the islands perspective that has shaped his own political world view. In the post nationalist era that has begun to open since the signing of the Belfast Agreement, he argues, there is a space for all indviduals to claim previously lost heritages and grasp new opportunities. 50/50 discrimination... The 50/50 quota doesn't just discriminate against Protestants. While it is often (mis)reported as half-Catholic, half-Protestant recruitment, it is actually half-Catholic, half-Everyone Else. This means that the law as it stands actually discriminates against people from ethnic minority communities getting into the PSNI. Figures seem to bear this out; only four applicants out of 294 from non-white racial groups have been accepted into the PSNI since the quotas started. [more] Mead na vótálaithe ag titim Maigheann Seán Mag Uidhir gur léiríonn na figiúirí is déanaí ón Choimisiún um Thoghcháin go bhfuil titim sa bhreis ar 28,000, ar rolla na vótálaithe do 2004. Leanann sé titim 170,000 ar rolla 2002, an t-am deireanach a cuireadh an rolla le chéile faoin chóras céanna a úsáidtear. Thanks to readers' contributions... Thanks to one anonymous reader for her very generous contribution to Slugger through Pay Pal recently, we're able to make our online bills this month. Contributions have trickled off since your mamoth efforts to send this reporter to Northern Ireland to cover the Assembly elections in November. We are currently looking into more formal funding opportunities (we're open to suggestions/offers!). In the meantime, we rely solely on your contributions to keeping those Slugger wheels turning! Campaign to end PSNI 50/50 rule Lord John Laird has begun a campaign to end the 50/50 rule to recruiting into the PSNI. He argues that the historic imbalance has nothing to do with discrimination practices, so much as successive campaigns of intimidation by Republicans against would be Catholic recruits. The rule was introduced in response to the Patten Report. Carson smiling upon Paisley? Alex Kane paints a picture of Edward Carson who is at one and the same time deeply familiar to Unionists and virtually unknown to Nationalists. [more] New money Might we be about to see a much needed shake-up in NI's banking sector? Republic: NI drifting out of mind? Henry McDonald believes the change in attitudes, at least amongst the 'successor generation' in the Republic is a sign that society there is rapidly maturing in it's attitude towards the North and its neighbour across the water. To those readers who've followed the link to Slugger, you can find the report on the left hand side, just below the Long Peace? logo. Castlereagh suspect returned, and left Anne Cadwallader questions the varacity of the 3,000-page dossier compiled by the PSNI in pursuit of Larry Zaitschek's extradition in connection with the Castlereagh break-in. Media complicit in Stormont closure? Robin Livingstone, editor of the Andersonstown News reflects on parallels between the British government's WMD case for war against Iraq, and the apparently thin evidence against the individuals arrested at the time of the suspension of the Stormont Assembly. [more] Sinn Fein on for Grand Slam? James Kelly follows Brian Feeney's interpretation of the DUP's proposals as simply a recipe for the return to the bad old days of Unionist domination. Marching into the Saints Seems Ulster Rugby's losing Alan Solomons. Can't decide how much of a loss this is... Likely outcomes outlined here. Broadcast devolution The Sunday Times has reported (more here) that the BBC could be threatened with break-up into smaller entities for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Of course, Murdoch's finest has a history of anti-BBC pieces (the government papers are at an 'early stage'), and should be taken with a shovel of salt, but would Northern Ireland be better off with NIBC? All-Ireland Premiership? As pointed out by Henry 94 in a thread below, there's something interesting happening in Irish soccer. We'll find out in time if there's much substance to the report, but the head of the FAI was on Today FM on Friday talking about something similar. Could it ever work? February 13, 2004 Vance on the state of the process Slugger regular David Vance appears on this week's Hearts and Minds is not happy with any of the parties now in the review of the Belfast Agreement. Martin McGuinness welcomes the DUP proposals as an acceptance that the party, but pretty much goes on to dismiss most of the detail. Lost party branch re-forms The strange case of the re-appearance of the Kilkeel branch of the Ulster Unionist branch. Unionists should abandon bartering Brian Walker believes that overall Nationalism is better placed than Unionism for the outworking of the degree. He believes that if there is to be a speedy return to the Assembly and the devolved institutions, then Unionists must stop trying to barter them for the demilitarisation of the IRA. Time for UUP to prepare for future? The DUP's proposals have clearly made a big impression. Initial soundings with a number of political figures in Dublin suggest that the party's pitch to have their proposals taken seriously have scored an initial success. Alex Kane, speaking to a rpo-Union meeting in Armagh on Wednesday, argued that this gives the UUP an opportunity to reform. [more] Changing positions... In last night's Belfast Telegraph the ever iconoclastic Eammon McCann suggests that Sinn Fein's current position on partition now accords with what both James Craig and Joe Devlin (contemporary leaders of Unionism and Nationalism respectively) expected eighty years ago.. Newsletter job applications complete All the applications for the Newsletter's editor post will have arrived at the paper's offices this morning, so if you've only just started to think about applying, you're probably too late. Applicants will be keen to discover what plans the new management have for the paper and, perhaps just as importantly, do they have money to invest to adequately turn around its ailing fortune. February 12, 2004 SF, All Ireland focus during review. MLAs Bairbre de Brún & Barry McElduff have outlined Sinn Féin's contribution to the Review on how to achieve a more effective implementation of the All Ireland aspects in the Agreement. [more] Paisley loves Catholics... ON RTE's Prime Time the other night, Ian Paisley admitted (sub needed) that he loved Catholics. True to form, he then said "but I detest the system of popery". John Hume retires to Donegal Strange that the same metaphor should crop up in the copy of two columnists so far removed in their politics, but Steven King kicks off his valedictory to John Hume with the same alusion to the fox and hedgehog on the same day as Brian Feeney. Campaign against Labour organisation in NI John McDonnell continues his campaign against the organisation of British Labour constituency parties in Northern Ireland. Campaign against Labour organisation in NI John McDonnell continues his campaign against the organisation of British Labour constituency parties in Northern Ireland. Quiet summer tip of iceberg Alistair Simpson, a former governor of the Aprentice Boys of Derry, told a Westminster committee, meeting in Stormont, that last year's quiet marching season covered a raft of problems that still remain in certain areas. DUP openness welcome Noel Whelan turns his attention back to the DUP proposals of last Friday. He welcomes the party's break for open ground, which literally ends years of external speculation of what a DUP deal might look like. Gaeilge curtha ar phlé anseo Mile buiochas do Lá fa choinne an bolscaireacht le deanaí. Ní raibh moran i nGaeilge againne as an tam a thainig an talt seo amach, ach beidh tulleadh anseo ar Slugger thar na laetheanta a atá le teacht. DUP: hedgehog or fox? Brian Feeney has his own interpretation of last Friday's unveiling of the DUP's approach to negotiations. He's convinced that Unionism has not changed in the slightest since the 1970's, and that the DUP's plans are simply a clever ruse to return to majority rule. However, he seems to concentrate on the suggested 70% quota to the exclusion of the other option that the designation system be retained. February 11, 2004 Good neighbours? Are Irish eyes smiling on Britain? A new report - co-written by our very own Mick Fealty - suggests that, increasingly, they are (more here). Mick, with colleagues at River Path, has been looking into this matter for the British Council and the British Embassy in Dublin, and you can see the findings for yourself here (pdf file). I'm sure, when he's finished at the launch seminar, he'll be keen to see your thoughts. February 10, 2004 Organ grinder's 'unaccountability'... ALTHOUGH he has a capable Secretary of State in the form of Paul Murphy, it is the Prime Minister's style to keep control as close to himself as possible. But Tony Blair's shadowy chief of staff, Jonathan Powell, is now facing questions about his accountability, or lack thereof, on issues of 'covert policy making' in Northern Ireland. [more] Unsettled people... SUSAN McKay interviews the Castlereagh break-in suspect Larry 'the chef' Zaitschek. After the substantive charges against the 'Stormontgate' suspects were quietly dropped last week, it is becoming harder to see how Castlereagh was anything more than an inside job. If true, it raises serious questions about the role of the intelligence services in collapsing the Assembly. Seeking refuge... INTERNMENT in the 1970s was a security and human rights failure. Today, it is still around; not for paramilitaries, but to 'house' asylum seekers. The Refugee Action Group is hosting a conference to highlight the criminalisation of asylum seekers who are jailed in HMP Maghaberry, without a conviction, until they are cleared. The Home Office refuses to even discuss more appropriate accommodation with NI politicians. Hume a Dublin spy? Nationalism has come a long way since the times when anyone in a leadership position was immediately suspected of seeking to undermine the state. In an intelligence paper compiled by Special Branch and submitted to the Saville Inquiry alleged in 1972 that no less a figure than John Hume was a spy for the Dublin government. Consultation on Hate Crime legislation John Spellar has announced a consultation of the formulation of specfic hate crime legislation for Northern Ireland. Adams for Irish President Is Malachi O'Doherty on to the scoop of 2004? Maybe not, but his anticipation of the fulfillment of Sinn Fein's ambitions south of the border are based on a recent poll which gave Gerry Adams very high performance ratings as a party leader in the Republic. In week that has seen the DUP display some of the credentials needed for effective leadership of the Unionist community, Adams and Sinn Fein may be about to up the ante after elections in May/June. Celebrity and politics... I was a little puzzled when a senior party insider told how he had rushed home last night to watch the concluding 'episode' of ITV's crowd pulling I'm a celebrity... get me out of here. David Aaronovitch explains its relevance to modern TV politics. Adams: process is slow but sure Gerry Adams speaking ahead of a meeting with the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer, pointed critics of the peace process towards its success in contrast to several other similar processes. DUP to save the Agreement? Roy Garland reflects the feeling of an increasing number moderate unionists, that the DUP have moved decisively beyond the historic siege mentality that has historically dogged Unionism. As one moderate Unionist told Slugger last night, "I'm happy to see these positive proposals, but frustrated that it has taken the DUP so long to come on to our ground". [more] February 09, 2004 Alliance to meet with DUP The Alliance party and the DUP are to meet to discuss that party's proposals. [more] DUP and enlightened self interest? Mark Devenport of the BBC summation of some of the scantily detailed story within the DUP's proposals so far. Proposals could sidestep dilemma Although Alex Kane believes that the DUP's proposals leave the moral dilemma in distinguishing between terrorist's in an Executive and sharing power with them in an Assembly unanswered, the realpolitik of the DUP's proposals still has a chance of working. Particularly if offers the IRA an opportunity to hold on to it's guns and have Sinn Fein representatives at the heart of government for the foreseeable future. [more] Republic and religious diversity The Irish Times opens a mulit part series on the growing religious diversity (subs needed) in the Repubic's population. Immigration and the lessening of social influence of the Catholic Church are considered the main influences in the growth of non Catholic religions. But it also hints that aetheism and agnosticism account for the biggest changes. [more] Harry West: life and times This obituary of Harry West in the Daily Telegraph provides some interesting detail in the pre-troubles period of unionist history. Surprisingly now in the context of thirty years of direct rule, West was the first Unionist leader to have had a seat at Westminster (however briefly). Hume: party or country? John Hume had several farewells in the Sunday papers. Henry McDonald is sure that history will be kind to him, but Eilis O'Hanlon has her doubts. BBC Stakeknife interview 'pulled' The BBC's flagship current affairs radio programme (and the one at the centre of the Hutton inquiry) pulled an interview with Martin Ingrams about the Stakeknife operation, after concerns that the Corporation might be in breach of several injunctions on Ingrams. Baby steps will not do Alex Attwood of the SDLP contends that baby steps (as proposed by the DUP) will not do in place of the giant steps he believes are required. DUP: it's as good as it gets Peter Robinson in the Belfast Telegraph: "Undoubtedly this is not the best model of administration - but it may be the best model available. The prize of a return to Executive government would be open when the necessary willingness of the parties existed". The Irish News broadly welcomes the change in tone, but probably reflects a feeling in the wider Nationalist community that the DUP is continuing to ignore ongoing Loyalist violence. Paisley: reborn power broker? We all thought the DUP proposals were coming out on Thursday. Instead they were pushed back to lunchtime Friday, normally a bit of a dead time for headlines. However it seems to have done the trick in places that have been asleep to NOrthern Ireland, arguably since the suspension of Stormont. Sinn Fein: departure from never never land Martin McGuinness talking at the parties Northern Ireland's section AGM, gave a more measured response to the DUP's proposals than that of last Friday, which looks like it may have been a spoiling tactic in advance of the real proposals, or the DUP proposals were a genuine surprise to Sinn Fein. [more] February 06, 2004 Sinn Fein unhappy with proposals Noel MacAdam has Sinn Fein's take on the DUP's document. Alliance welcomes positive movement We have the first openly enthusiastic response to the DUP's proposal, and it comes from the Alliance party (history in the trash can?). Eileen espouses voluntary coalition as the party's prefered modus operandi, but questions the effect of rolling devolution back from Cabinet to plenary executive powers. [more] UUP: much to think about The UUP's spokesman Dermot Nesbitt gives the DUP's document a cautious welcome. Though he makes the case that the party's proposals effectively set aside requirements for the IRA to disarm, making them (as one Slugger reader has already pointed out this afternoon) appear less hard line than his own party. [more] Paramilitaries have monopoly of force? Expect more links to Samizdata in future. This provocative and extremely readible libertarian blog rarely pulls its punches, but has tended to steer clear of the subject of Northern Ireland. However new recruit Frank McGahon, as always, is prepared to jump in with both feet. He argues that paramilitaries have usurped the state's monopoly of force. SDLP: what about strands 2 & 3? The first response to the DUP proposals comes from the SDLP. Mark Durkan hedges his bets, and hints there will be no movement until the DUP discloses its plans for Strands 2 and 3; i.e. those dealing with North/South and East/West relations. [more] New concept for Devolution The DUP has launched its long awaited plans for the review. The BBC's political editor believes they will viewed by Nationalists as "a second-rate alternative to the Good Friday Agreement". However, they have declined to show their hand all at once, chosing instead to keep their powder dry on details as the review proceeds. The focus for now is clearly on Strand One of the Belfast Agreement. [more] 100% broadband The Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment is entering the final stages of negotiations with BT that could see broadband internet access being available everywhere. Irish Times opinion poll The Irish Times has published the first of what is sure to be many opinion polls ahead of European and Local Government elections in the South. Fianna Fáil show an increase in popularity after a period in decline and Sinn Féin show continuing growth despite consistent attacks from other parties. [more] Hutton, government and the media Open Democracy (an excellent site, but not the easiest to navigate) has been playing host this week to an important discussion of the role of media viz a viz the Hutton Inquiry. Contributors include: John Lloyd; Jamie Cowling; David Marquand; Douglas Murray; and others. Slugger FM anyone? Seems Ballymena, Newry and Belfast might be getting new FM radio stations. Leader of post nationalism Jude Collins is in reflective mood about the retirement of John Hume, for so long the public face of Northern Irish nationalism. [more] Hume: mac dílis Dhoire Níl John Hume le dul chun cinn don SDLP i dtoghchán na hEorpa. Agus ní áibhéil atá i gceist, nuair a deireann Eoghan Ó Néill, "beidh obair mhór ag aon iarrthóir de chuid an SDLP an bearna sin a ghiorrú idir seo agus mí Mheithimh". Harry West dies Harry West who led the Unionist Party after it dropped Brian Faulkner's his pro powersharing group, has died aged 86. Update: more from the BBC. DUP to launch proposals today The detail of the DUP's proposals will be available later today. But it's clear that the big idea is, in the absence of the demilitarisation of Northern Ireland, to decapitate the Executive and transfer executive power to the Assembly in plenary. However the detail will be important, and no doubt will be inspected in detail for any weakness in the quality of its power sharing potential. Last night Arlene Foster, stepping further away from her customary role as a dissident, was batting heavilyfor her new party's proposals. February 05, 2004 Sinn Fein backs Orange event One of Billy Leonard's first noteable acts as Coleraine's first Sinn Fein councillor was to join a vote to give nearly £5000 towards an event organised by a local orange lodge. DUP win in April 2004?? A poster on Danny Morrison's site has done a satirical skit on what an Agreement re-negotiated to the satisfaction of the DUP might look like. In practice of course, the party's seven tests are unlikely to be quite so illiberal! Thanks to Daithi for the heads up. An end to inquiries... BRIAN Walker sees the recent ruling in the bid for an inquiry into the deaths of Gervaise McKerr, Eugene Toman and Sean Burns, as a signal that there will be no more Bloody Sunday-type inquiries. Walker interprets Lord Goldsmith's ruling as meaning that, because there is no prospect of complying with human rights provisions so long after the event, the Government could be heading towards a general statute of limitations. [more] Unionist numbers game continues The war of words between the two main unionist parties continues, with the DUP claiming that their opponents are fudging numbers, and the UUP saying they are not losing many and that lots of new people are coming into the party. SDLP finally drop the pilot Gerry Moriarty in today's Irish Times plays with some historical comparisons (subs needed) for John Hume and reckons Parnell is a close match. However at yesterday's press conference, Seamus Mallon perhaps more roundly described the significance for the party: "Fancy a job in Europe, Seamus, as John Hume's replacement, we asked? 'John the Baptist came before Jesus, not after him,' the Armagh man said". Noel MacAdam with a more detailed analysis. Kerry shirts for Kerry... Dick O'Brien, a second generation Kerryman takes some solace in the fact that many of Senator John Kerry's Democrat supporters have taken to wearing Kerry GAA shirts, after what was a poor showing by the county last year. John Fay, who first unearthed the story is founder and editor of the Ur online resource for NI, Newshound. Getting over the review Eric Waugh believes that a 'sensible modus vivendi' can be arrived at, providing a number of what he terms uncomfortable truths are accepted. ASA is not working Brian Feeney argues that Northern Ireland's Assets Recovery Agency, set up to crack organised racketeering is failing, particularly when its performance is compared to the main body in Britain. Rights: the clash of two cultures Nicholas Watt and Angelique Chrisafis report on Sinn Fein's latest demand for rights and entitlements. This stands in stark contrast to the Protestant tradition of negative rights, which was fairly accurately articulated as rights and responsiblities in Onora O'Neill's Reith lecture in Belfast a few years back. An DUP ag gabhail ar fheabhas Dar le Robert McMillen, bhog truir laochra ag Trimble go dtí an DUP: David Brewster, Jeffrey Donaldson agus Peter Weir (scríofa ar Slugger ar dtus). Ach anois níl ann ach Reg Empey agus, dar leis an scriobhnoir, cara dó "atá ag fanacht leis an áiméar a fháil ar an scian a chur i ndroim Trimble". De bhrí sin, tá an pháirtí fein ag gabhail ar fheabhas. February 04, 2004 Republic to swing away from SF? Chris Thornton considers the increasingly strident attitude of the Republic's Justice Minister and wonders if Sinn Fein's electoral threat is breaking up the once solid communication lines between that party and the southern government. The DUP, the Taoiseach and snowballs Gregory Campbell was one of a small group of senior party delegates which accompanied party leader to a meeting with Bertie Ahern. Today he gives a light hearted account of what was widely trailled as yet another historic event - exclusively to Slugger O'Toole. [more] John Hume retires from Europe John Hume confirms what the BBC speculated yesterday - he is to retire his European post as MEP permanently in June. Alongside the retirement of Ian Paisley we may be witinessing the passing of an era. The current Mayor of Belfast is the early favourite to replace Hume as SDLP candidate. Latest: John Hume added this afternoon, "In retiring from my European work I am doing so on medical advice, due to the large workload and amount of travel that is involved". Racism: two approaches Michael McGimpsey has been back in the Village, the scene of some the worst excesses of racially motivated violence in Belfast this year. There's an interesting contrast between his call for the police to be given the means to tackle such problems and the SDLP's emphasis on the importance of a resolution in council. Is this another question of Hobbes vs Mills? BBC agus clár samhlaíoch spraíúil Breathainn Concubhar Ó Liatháin siar go dtí an clár gaelach Sneachta Dearg a bhí ar suil ar an BBC sé nó a seacht de bhlianta ó shin. Maígheann sé "gur teach fuar a bhí i gceannáras an BBC don Ghaeilge ag an am sin". Ach b'fheidir go bhfuil cursaí i bhfad nios athraithe anois - agus am do Sneachta Dearg a theacht ar ais aris? Paisley ready for a struggle? If the Belfast Agreement re-wrote the course of Irish history, then Ian Paisley is spiritually preparing himself to fight for the second draft. However, the process only begins for his party tomorrow, as they sit out of the multi-party talks at Stormont. Deeds: war is over? The Telegraph have put the veteran Bill Deeds on the Belfast case today. Unusually for a Conservative opinion former, he credits Blair with bringing relative peace to Northern Ireland. He clearly has a grá for the place, though his repeated mention of someplace called Main Street is a little disconcerting. February 03, 2004 Hume to fully retire? There is speculation on the BBC that an intended press conference from John Hume tomorrow will be an announcement that he no longer intends to run for Europe. If true it would signify the end of a long political career, unfortunately during an all time low for his party. It may also gift Sinn Fein a European seat unless an unexpected replacement maintains his party record in Europe. [more] Hutton damages the judiciary Malachi O'Doherty's sympathies lie more with the potential damage to the judiciary's reputation for impartiality than the 'victim' in this case. Embarrassment for SDLP... BELFAST City Council failed to pass a motion condemning racism last night. The SDLP motion seemed deliberately designed to be impossible for the PUP and Sinn Fein to sign up to, which would have made the Council look pathetically disunited on the issue. [more] Presbyterians vote... PRESBYTERIANS are voting for a new Moderator today. Rev Ken Newell, South Belfast Moderator, of Fitzroy Presbyterian was last year's runner up. It was a very close vote, so he must be favourite for this year. Reiss interview... CHRIS Thornton interviews new US envoy Dr Mitchell Reiss. Howard on the IRA Michael Howard is the first to kick an extraordinary feature series in tonight's Belfast Telegraph, which seems to be entirely angled at exploring the possible links between Sinn Fein and the IRA Sky high prices... RYANAIR has been told that discounts and perks given to it by Charleroi airport are illegal. This could have drastic implications for Derry City Airport - and for budget airlines more generally. With few NI links to mainland Europe already, could be about to see a real hike in fares? E-voting scheme untested? The Republic is hoping to make a huge leap towards the twenty first century with the introduction of electronic voting machines in June. However, there are some serious misgivings (subs needed) that the system chosen is reliable enough for the job. [more] The Agreement conundrum As the review begins, the parties will have to come up with something that reconciles Ian Paisley's demand (now backed by a clear majority of Unionists) and retention of the Belfast Agreement (originally endorsed by a clear majority of Unionists). Hutton, Derry and the Diplock days Danny Morrison gives his appraisal of Lord Hutton's performance to the Guardian this week. He smells a fish. John Reid in Private Eye... All fans of the former Secretary of State John Reid should look away from the screen now. Under the title, Is the NHS safe in the Health Secretary's hands? Private Eye has printed the following: At a recent news paper lunch John "Oh f*ck, not health" Reid boasted he "would sort out health" in the same way he had "sorted out Northern Ireland"And so to the review... Following on Gonzo's excellent practical introduction to the review process here on Slugger, Mark Devenport gives a bit more context to how we have got to this stage. Raising standards Later today, the BBC will broadcast a live interactive forum devoted to the review - there's a link on this page. Perhaps Slugger's correspondents could spend a minute there and raise the level of debate? February 02, 2004 Newsletter agus eagarthóir nua Ian Malcolm ag cur an ceist an Newsletter ar phlé i Lá sa seachtain seo chuaigh thart. Is cúram an-deachar é, an ceann atá roimh an Eagarthóir nua. Mar a maigheann Malcolm: "Deirtear gur díoladh 102,000 an mhaidin tar éis gur ionsaíodh Bombay Street i mBéal Feirste. Anois, díoltar thart fá 30,000 cóip sa ló. Cá ndeachaigh na léitheoirí?" Emerson on Robinson on King Is Newton Emerson going to be the next editor of the Irish News? Well maybe not, but it has belateldy come to Slugger's attention that he has expanded his domain from one to two columns a week in that august publication. This week, his Saturday piece has got some interesting quotes: [more] Written off... EVEN headline writers have bad days. How the review works... FOR those who have an interest in the finer details of how these things work, here’s a brief on the format the British and Irish Governments envisage for the Review of the Agreement, starting tomorrow afternoon in Parliament Buildings. Since these structures will become apparent soon, no-one should regard this as anything other than demystification. [more] Variations of English character Sean McCann (a Tyrone man I think) has lived in the Republic for a number of years. Last week he used his blog to launch a blistering attack on what he sees as the pastiche of Englishness he believes many amongst the Dublin middle class aspire to. This, he aruges, is a gross mischaracterisation of the real English. Who will pilot the Newsletter? Paul Colgan takes a look at the controversy surrounding the resignation of the Newletter's editor and speculates as to who might take over. So far Steven King's name is the only one to have broken cover, though there are several names circulating privately within journalist circles. Some may be reluctant to take the job, with the long term intentions of the venture capital firm 3i still far from clear. New US envoy arrives The review begins on Wednesday and the President has sent in his new point man, Mitchell B Reiss. However it is hard to see that he will have a more active role than keeping the US State Department abreast of developments at the highest level. 2004: the parties' prospectus? The following article was written for the political column of Fortnight magazine by yours truly. It lays out some of the possiblities for the five main parties in the next six to twelve months. [more] Assembly elections in June James Murray Brown generally has a good ear for what the thinking is with the UK government. In interview, Paul Murphy, suggests that if the review is successful there is the possibility of fresh elections in June, in order to lift the suspension on the Assembly. Whether the parties concerned can work a compromise deal within that time frame is another matter. DUP: seats in the Lords? According to Stephen Breen the DUP is campaigning for seats in the upper house at Westminster. As the largest political party in Northern Ireland it currently has none, compared with the now smaller UUP's six. It would as Stephen hints give the party greater scope to reward some of it long term players with a permanent seat in the British legislature. Thanks to reader Alan. February 01, 2004 Hutton: supporters and critics Henry McDonald and Martin Bright have a potted biography of Brian Hutton, the Ulsterman who has shaken the BBC. Ruth Dudley Edwards duly dubbed him Lord Whitewash, suggesting the British public still trust the BBC more than its politicians. However, Eoghan Harris suggests that RTE News is making similar mistakes to those that landed the BBC in hot water. Donaldson gets a Free P welcome. The Sunday Life carries a report on Jeffrey Donaldson’s first Free Presbyterian tongue lashing since leaving the UUP. The Rev Ivan Foster on his Burning Bush website has some harsh words for Dr Paisley’s highest profile new recruit just prior to him joining. [more] DUP unconcerned with decommissioning. More flesh is slowly being added to the DUP’s review agenda. The Times reports that they do not intend to pursue further movement from the IRA as a condition for the Assembly being re-established. Worrying futures for the UUP & SDLP. The Sunday Business Post weighs up the future for both parties and predicts even leaner times ahead |
Slugger O'Toole records news, commentary and diverse opinion on Northern Ireland. Produced by Mick Fealty News, tips or crits here: mick -at- mickfealty.com 
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Highlights
2003: Slugger's year...New bloggers on Slugger HRC: scarce resources meet impossible demands? Good blogs A Long Peace? - press release Census 2001: a summary Robinson's plan: summary Adams speech Blair speech Stormont crisis
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