According to a quick Google search, "grannying" is a political philosophy espoused by an American all-women peace group which specialises in a cappella anti-war songs.
In Derry/Londonderry/Donegal, however, the term refers to using a granny's address north of the border instead of a parents' one south of the border in order to get your children into a school of your choice. The practice is now central to a judicial review likely to get going within the next fortnight.
On Inside Politics tomorrow, I discuss grannying with the SDLP's Mary Bradley who is a local primary school governor and the DUP's Sammy Wilson who chairs the Stormont Education Committee. Sammy Wilson argues that if academic selection gives way to a postcode lottery "grannying" will become a phenomenon relevant not only to the border areas but to every catchment area for every popular school.
I presume he's not referring to a spontaneous outbreak of a cappella singing.
Inside Politics is broadcast at 12.45 on Radio Ulster.
It's not often that you find Sinn Fein and Jim Allister united in their view of anything, but last night's harrowing Spotlight expose of dog fighting appears to have provoked a rare consensus. The independent unionist MEP says he will approach the European commission to ask how it proposes to "clamp down on this barbarity across Europe". Meanwhile Sinn Fein's Francie Brolly says noone can fail to be "shocked at the barbarity of the dog fighting that has been exposed". Sinn Fein's Culture Committee chair Barry McElduff also expressed his shock at what he had seen in Mandy McAuley's report, although, speaking on Talkback, the fervent Tyrone supporter stopped short of calling on the GAA to drop Ger Cavlan, who featured in the programme. Mr McElduff argued that "responsibility rests with the individual" rather than the GAA as an organisation. The Tyrone GAA has, at the time of writing, refused to comment.
Whilst Jim Allister wants to tighten up EU animal passports, Alliance's Stewart Dickson is calling for tighter laws governing aggressive dogs which attack other dogs. Councillors complain that the current rules governing when animals can be destroyed often lead to delays and enormous expense to the ratepayers.
The Department of Agriculture recently completed a consultation on animal welfare legislation which considered tightening the law on betting on dog fights, filming dog fights and seizing dogs involved in fights. The consultation closed in December 2006. I asked the Department this morning where things now stand so far as any fresh legislation is concerned but so far they haven't got back to me.
UPDATE: Ian Paisley has raised the matter with both Bertie Ahern and Shaun Woodward. He says the authorities must "ensure an end to this depraved activity. We must ensure a co-ordinated approach that will deliver an end to the practices of cruelty to dogs and the ease with which dangerous dogs are able to be imported into our country."
FURTHER UPDATE: The Department of Agriculture says the Minister Michelle Gildernew is considering 92 responses to its consultation, before deciding what further legislation is required. They say the Irish government is planning a comprehensive Animal Welfare Bill and officials are "working closely with their ROI counterparts in order that broadly similar legislation is introduced on the Island of Irelandβ. Ms Gildernew has expressed her "disgust" at the sickening images of dog fighting.
The South Down DUP MLA Jim Wells is quoted on the front page of this morning's Newsletter asking what a young republican activist was doing on the top of a Newcastle Orange Hall roof at 2.45am in the morning. Obviously, he must have "Sinned" up a drainpipe..
A statement from Sinn Fein has just dropped into my in box confirming that the party's 14 Belfast councillors will oppose the proposal to build a stadium in the city's Ormeau Park. Nothing to do, apparently, with republicans' preference for the Maze, but rather, according to Alec Maskey "because of objections from local residents". Alec lists potential problems like "loss of green space...increased parking... traffic problems, and noise pollution". But, of course, these are not the only objections local residents have raised.
I'm imagining the constituency surgery on the Lower Ormeau when Alec started taking the details from a concerned senior citizen. Age: 81. Occupation: Church Leader. Main objection: Disruption to Bible classes caused by greyhound racing....
The news that an 18 day old baby boy was lucky to escape injury in a petrol bomb attack in North Belfast reminds us that for people living close to interfaces true peace and stability remains a hope not a reality. But for the tourists passing through our city the troubles are less an ever present threat and more a unique curiosity.
Over the weekend I found myself in the slightly bizarre situation of being sandwiched between tourists on an open top bus taking a ride around the peacelines - the children wanted to try novel forms of transport - a train on Sunday and an open top bus on Monday. It felt weird to find myself on a guided tour of the streets from which I've spent years reporting.
The guide assured the visitors they'd be perfectly safe getting off on the Shankill or the Falls "the worst that will probably happen to you is that some granny might take you home and feed you up for three weeks". We took in the murals, the remains of the Shankill Eleventh Night Bonfire, the new Victoria Square complex (guide - "they brought in a firm from England to blow up the old buildings when they could have found a bunch of lads in any pub here who would have done it for free in the middle of the night") and were told to make a wish whilst circling three times around Carson's statue at Stormont. The Albert Clock leans, apparently, because the ladies of the night used to lean against it (guide - "the red light district isn't here anymore - if you want to know where it is now, ask Tommy the driver").
Fleeting impressions. Even though we all know there's a lot of development going on, when you see it area after area the amount of construction under way throughout the city is staggering. The vandalised state of the Crumlin Road courthouse is parlous, and the sooner some real security and development of the court building and the jail across the road happens the better (one is due to be a hotel, the other might be a backpackers' hostel, although personally I've always thought it would be a great museum). Finally, the new extension to the Grand Opera House leaves something to be desired (guide - "it looks like a big urinal"). Presumably the new Fitzwilliam hotel will improve the look of that corner of Great Victoria Street.
As usual, we have recorded Saturday's Inside Politics ahead of time. This weekend's guest is the constant thorn in Ian Paisley's side, MEP Jim Allister. If you want to hear his thoughts on the likelihood of the formation of a "dissident" unionist political movement and his complaints about the burgeoning number of special advisers at Stormont you can catch the programme on ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Ulster at 12.45.
As my colleague Martina Purdy is reporting on radio, TV and elsewhere on this website the "Folks on the Hill" are due back soon. They are on Radio Ulster from September 8th and ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ NI TV from November 16th. For more details see Martina's article, but for now here's the script of a skit which she broadcast in part on Good Morning Ulster.
JEFFREY AND EDWIN
Ed: Hello, Jeffrey.
JD: Hello, Edwin. Howβs the job going?
Ed: Oh, I like it very much, but I seem to be taking a lot of flak over my style and my performance in interviews. Iβm just not that comfortable doing that stuff.
JD: Really? Iβd never have guessed. Well, itβs vitally important you get that part of the job right, Edwin. Otherwise the pressure will just grow and grow. People will say youβre not up to the job. Youβll feel more and more pressure until youβll eventually start to hate being a minister and your position will become untenable! Sorryβ¦β¦thatβs just a worst case scenario, you understand.
Ed: Oh, dear, what should I do?
JD: Well, letβs sort out your style and delivery. Learn from a seasoned campaigner. Call Michael McGimpsey. Heβll give you a few good pointers.
Ed: Are you sure?
³’²Ή³Ω±π°ωβ¦βΆΔ¦
MM: So, you say Jeffrey recommended me.
Ed: Yes. Said you could help me improve my public style and delivery.
MM: He must be up to something. Anyway, yes, I have noticed that you are rather deadpan and staid. You need to use a bit more intonation whenever youβre speaking. Otherwise youβll just come across as drab and uninteresting.
Ed: Were you using intonation then?
MM: Oh, yes. Some of us do it naturally. You may need to work on it. Also donβt be afraid to use your facial muscles. Expressiveness is key.
Ed: Were you using it then?
MM: Oh, yes. Ok, now go away and practise.
Ed: Right, eh, thanks.
MM: Goodbye.
I was listening to the Nolan show this morning on which the young unionist, Stephen Warke, took the IRFU to task for its decision not to play "God Save The Queen" before tonight's international rugby match against Italy at Ravenhill. The IRFU says the "Soldier Song" and "Ireland's Call" will be played when the team is in the Republic, but only "Ireland's Call" outside the jurisdiction. The decision has caused quite a rumpus on the Ulster Rugby Fans Forum.
I'm not sure what the solution is, but it struck me as ironic that in the same week that we have a political controversy over no "God Save the Queen" at Ravenhill, we heard it twice at Windsor Park, as the same melody is used for Liechtenstein's "Oben am jungen Rhein" (something my colleague Kevin Connolly explained expertly on yesterday's Talkback.)
So perhaps when the Rugby World Cup is done and dusted and the IRFU is seeking to arrange further friendlies for Ravenhill they should fix a match with a Liechtenstein XV, thus ensuring that the tunes of both "Ireland's Call" and "God Save The Queen" will be played. There is such a team, whose link I provide below. It might be a sporting mismatch, but it's a perfect anthemic compromise.
Oh and there's no truth to the rumour that the team's known as the "Duchy Originals"
Ian Paisley Jr. doesn't have a monopoly on unionist gay controversies. Over on the Young Unionist blog site, the YUs appear to be tearing themselves apart over the recent Belfast Gay Pride event. Differences over comments about the event have led to the resignation of the blog editor Michael Shilliday. At a time when the old unionist party is trying to reinvigorate itself it looks like the young unionists can't kick the habit of internal division.
Reacting to reports that the Irish Labour leader, Pat Rabbitte, is resigning I clicked on the RTE website for the latest. Their news story links to a profile of Mr Rabbitte dating back to the last election. Under the heading "Main Priorities" there are three headings - Getting There - his policy on transport, and Getting A Roof - his policy on housing. But it was the third heading "Getting Laid" which caught my attention. It purports to commit the Dublin South West TD to slashing VAT on condoms.
During the drama surrounding the downfall of Albert Reynolds, the then Guardian Correspondent David Sharrock noted that the future Labour leader had made a speech to the Dail which was "the first time in history that a Rabbitte had pulled a red herring out of a top hat". But since I can't believe reducing tax on prophylactics was ever high on his list of priorities, I am working on the presumption that the RTE profile has been targetted by a hacker.
UPDATE: That serves me right - I didn't realise that this was old news, and that Pat Rabbitte had made this his number three priority. Thanks very much to commenters for putting me right. It's fair to say that I've pulled an old red herring out of my hat.
I am indebted to commenter I.N. Cider for letting me know about an intruder at Parliament Buildings earlier this week. I've posted the comment, but I think it's worth repeating in full...
"What a pity you where not around the Big House on Tuesday and Wednesday Mark.
Just when the Folks on the Hill thought it was safe to return to the building after summer recess all hell broke loose when the shout went out to all within the building that there was a possible MOLE therein!!
After a frantic search by the security staff it became clear that all sides could breath easy again as the culprit turned out to be a young Ferret which had wondered up to the West door of the building and tried to gain entry without first producing a pass. Security staff trapped the said rodent and swiftly made a makeshift home for same.
After feeding and watering the animal and looking after it for 24 hours a new owner and home was found for the little mite who looked rather sad to be leaving his new found friends up on the hill.
And who says that theres no compassion for the little creatures of this country?"
I rang an Assembly source who confirmed I.N. Cider's account and told me the security staff had popped the ferret into a makeshift cage before the animal was taken away by the USPCA.
Perhaps the ferret should have been kept at Stormont to keep our politicians on their toes. Given the choice, whose trousers would you drop him down?
Countryside Sports enthusiast Jim Shannon is worried about a decrease in the number of songbirds and other wildlife. His concern - that this might be due to an increase in the number of foxes. Readers might remember that Jim is keen on the revival of the old "fox bounty" which used to be paid to hunters who shot the animals. In a written reply published earlier this month, the Environment Minister Arlene Foster acknowledges that the number of foxes appears to be on the rise, but argues there is no scientific information to suggest they are killing songbirds in significant numbers.
Elsewhere the SDLP's Alasdair McDonnell wants the Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew to start counting the number of bees here. He's concerned that the local bee population could be suffering from something called "Colony Collapse Disorder".
The Fermanagh MP says her officials keep an eye on "managed" bees, but don't count the number of indigenous bees. "There is no evidence" she concludes "that Colony Collapse Disorder is present in the North of Ireland". Which, one presumes, must be a matter of regret to republicans given all their efforts to promote colony collapse over the decades.
It's taken a bit of time for the transcripts of some of the Stormont committee sessions to appear on the Assembly website but in the case of the Health Committee's trip to Magee College at the end of June it's been worth the wait.
MLAs were cross questioning Health Department officials on their draft Sexual Violence strategy when the chair, Iris Robinson, espoused some forthright views on the need for the media to "curtail material that feeds minds that may commit sexual or copycat crimes".
The Strangford MP went on to accuse TV bosses of broadcasting "the most violent filth that you could ever wish to see before the watershed...With the greatest respect to anybody who is a fan, programmes such as βEmmerdale, β Coronation Streetβ, and βEastEndersβ try to outdo one another in graphic storylines. They portray bed-hopping and sexual promiscuity to which children are exposed because they are broadcast before the watershed. Such programmes are good at highlighting certain themes and illnesses such as AIDS, but they do not deal with the main issue; they are saying, βSuch behaviour is normalβ. We do not hear about prevention or about having a lifelong love partner."
Without naming Gordon Ramsay, she went on to lambast "a chef whose every other word is the F word". She finished by declaring "I do not care if I am called a βMary Whitehouseβ; indeed, I wish there were more such people, and it is sad that she passed away."
I think someone should tell mediawatch, the successor body to the National Viewers and Listeners Association, that six years after the passing of their founder, Mrs Whitehouse, a new scourge of the media has rallied to her cause.
I'm back in the office and I promise not to disappear for the foreseeable future. The obvious topic to discuss would be those press reports alleging a senior republican helped set up a police officer, Eric Lutton, for murder by the IRA in 1979, but escaped prosecution after being recruited by the security forces as an agent.
Maybe because I am still in cautious holiday mode, but more importantly because I don't have any independent evidence, I don't intend to follow the example of other blogs which have identified the alleged agent as a current Sinn Fein politician. Instead I shall hold off until the Upper Bann MP David Simpson does or does not use parliamentary privilege to name someone. The son of Mr Lutton has referred the matter to the Police Ombudsman. Sinn Fein say the story is a "DUP stunt". And I thought the two parties were best buddies.
If parliamentary privilege is invoked broadcasters and newspapers will be free to run with the name without fear of a libel action. But if you took parliamentary privilege out of the equation it's interesting to ponder where the libel risk would lie. According to McNae's "Essential Law for Journalists" (the standard textbook) you can libel someone if you lower them in "the estimation of right thinking members of society generally; or disparage them in their business, trade, office or profession"
If someone is a republican and you say they helped the IRA that presumably wouldn't lower them in the estimation of fellow republicans. But if you say they secretly worked for the state would that damage or enhance their standing amongst those a judge might regard as "right thinking members of society generally"?
The Ulster Unionist MLA Billy Armstrong has dropped me an email about his letter to the regional development minister Conor Murphy. The UUP member for Mid-Ulster is demanding Mr Murphy take urgent action to ensure that all correspondence issued by his department and by the Water Service use the term County Londonderry. Mr Armstrong says he has received numerous complaints that correspondence and bills are addressed "County Derry rather than the proper and full name of County Londonderry."
Now that sounds like one for Talkback on Monday!
PS By which time I expect my colleague Mark Devenport to resume the Devenport Diaries. Thank you for all your comments!
Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy is the only one of his party colleagues not to declare his position as a Westminster MP (unpaid, just expenses) in his Assembly register of interests. Mr Murphy did duly declare land and property interests but he forgot about his Westminster role, despite looking thrilled in 2005 when he snatched the seat long held by the SDLP. When contacted by the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ, after an eagle-eyed colleague spotted the omission, a party spokesman said it was an oversight that was now being rectified.
There's nothing like a quiet summer's day in the newsroom. That's when journalists have too much time on their hands. So I decided to take a trip down memory lane, and while ploughing the archives found a little gem about junior ministers. In December 1999, when David Trimble and Seamus Mallon appointed Dermot Nesbitt and Denis Haughey to their Β£55,000 a year posts, they were accused of wasting taxpayers money. One MLA declared it was "an unnecessary indulgence," and complained of too little democracy and too much bureaucracy.
Whooooooooooo said that? Why none other than the current junior minister Ian Paisley Junior of the DUP.
Another critic piped up: "This is the most blatant case of cronyism and jobbery imaginable."
The critic? None other than Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy. Now what would the Sinn Fein junior minister Gerry Kelly say about that?
The only person who perhaps has no regrets about his 1999 remarks is one Robert McCartney, UK Unionist who dismissed these "baby ministers" as "gofers" or "friendly little piglets."
Tomorrow marks the 100th day of power-sharing. It seems like just yesterday (May 8) that the ministers were starting out in yet another chance at power-sharing. I'm working on a report for Evening Extra, Newsline 6.30 and Online. So far, I've interviewed Gerry Adams who sounded more negative than positive at first, complaining about inequality and pointing to the on-going problems around sectarianism. But he soon started to sound more like a supporter, when he declared: "The fact that the institutions are in place and that you will have 100 days is a huge achievement. And fair play to everyone involved in that. But it is all work in progress. I'm minded of when someone was asked what they thought about the French revolution. They said it was 'too soon to tell'."
Ian Paisley the First Minister was more forthcoming, talking up the assembly's "positive early influence" in tackling flash flooding, attracting new jobs, and the potential threat from Foot and Mouth disease.
As for Jim Allister, the DUP's former MEP, he has no qualms about making a judgement, and has declared republicans have gained more out of the new administration.
David, now Lord Trimble, has been defending the King - of Rock n Roll, that is. The former Ulster Unionist leader was the guest on ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4's Great Lives programme, marking the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death. Lord Trimble staunchly rejects criticism of all Elvis films, and praises his distinctive musical style. While conceding some films were daft, Lord Trimble insists: "There's nothing wrong with a light weight musical comedy!" Indeed, Lord Trimble confessed to liking Follow That Dream and described Viva Las Vegas as a superb film....
Just been passed what is titled a summary of the outcome of the UUP MLA's special meeting at Stormont on August 7 and 8. The document, which arrived in my email basket, lists items discussed and what was agreed. Not alot by the looks of things, as many items seemed to be deferred to consultation or further discussion, including the party's approach to the National Stadium, education and the devolution of policing and justice. It was agreed however among the UUP MLAs that the party's performance in the assembly had dramatically improved, although more effort was needed in getting articles into the local press (does this item count?)
One can however expect an initiative regarding the environment. The UUP may launch a campaign for an Environmental Protection Agency via a Private Member's Bill or a Committee bill. There's also a possible assembly motion forthcoming on the Irish language act. It might suggest that arrangements have already been made for Irish language provision in the Belfast Agreement and that this latest Act, through the St Andrew's Agreement, is an attempt by republicans to use the language as a cultural weapon.
As for party reform, the leader will report in due course. Further discussion is needed on MLA's contributions.
Spare a thought for poor old Alliance MLA for North Down, Stephen Farry. It seems at the tender age of 36, he has come down with a nasty case of Chicken Pox. However, I'm reliably informed that he is now on the mend.
My postbox contained a rather unusual invitation this morning: to enter my dog in the Westminster Dog of the Year Competition. It seems the competition is not just open to the pets of Parliamentarians, but also to the pooches of political journalists. Alas, neither I, nor any of my ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ political unit colleagues, owns a dog. But I believe a number of our MPs have pooches. I remember being rather fearful of Ian Paisley's dog, Bridget (can't remember what kind of dog it was but it was bigger than me!). And I've noticed on occasion that Gerry Adams has brought his little floppy eared dog, Oschgur to Stormont.
But it seems unlikely Oschgur will get the chance to compete - given Sinn Fein's refusal to claim its Westminster seats. Asked about the prospects of Oschgur joining the competition to vy for a trophy and the chance to join the Good citizen Dog Scheme at Crufts next March, a Sinn Fein source sniffed: "I don't think Gerry's dog would be interested."
PS the same Sinn Fein source insisted the party's MLAs did not snub the Interparliamentary Tournament in London last week when some of our MLAs attended a charity football event. SF, claimed the source, just didn't know about it.
I'm off again for a week and once again Martina will be taking the blogging strain. Before going I should say I've been interested by your continuing comments on our Assembly footballers. Earlier today the SDLP's Thomas Burns, a former player for Crumlin United, put out a news release on the match praising the manager Pat Jennings and boasting about his prowess from the six yard spot. "I was very happy with my performance in both games. I felt I took my penalty very well. I'm no David Healy, but I gave the keeper no chance." Yes, he said so himself.
My Inside Politics guest at 12.45 tomorrow on Radio Ulster is the Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew who reveals how she heard about the foot and mouth outbreak in England whilst sitting in a cinema in Dungannon watching a movie with her children. And she doesn't appear to see eye to eye with her Executive colleague Margaret Ritchie over the 60 day "guns or cash" deadline to the UDA, something which Ms Ritchie herself trailed in a previous Inside Politics appearance.
I'm indebted to Derry man Noel Adams who took the East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell to task over his Commons register of interests for pointing out an interesting entry by the Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.
Mr Salmond declares that he is both Scottish First Minister and an MSP. The SNP leader explains "As I am also a Member of the House of Commons I receive one third of the MSP salary. Arrangements are currently ongoing for this to be paid into a charitable trust."
Should this set a precedent for our double jobbing MLA/MPs? If not, why not?
After I posted my previous entry about David Hilditch and DLA it was brought to my attention that the DUP MLA took part in the Assembly football team trip to London last weekend and played during the match against the Welsh assembly. This afternoon I made a few enquiries about this - one other player said he found it hard to understand, but another pointed out that Mr Hilditch had come on with a heavily strapped knee and had only played a "very minimal part" in the game.
Tonight the Carrickfergus Mayor told me that he spent almost all the trip spectating from the sideline "but the lads let me on with a few minutes to go just so I can raise money for charity". He said he would love to really be able to play in the match, as he used to enjoy football and road running, but his current condition does not allow it.
The Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has just relaunched a campaign on unclaimed benefits under the slogan "Are you entitled to more money?" The minister says Β£6 million in benefits weren't claimed last year.
I presume this isn't connected to the news that the DUP MLAs David Hilditch and Allan Bresland are in receipt of disability benefit. The issue prompted quite a reaction both on the Slugger O'Toole website, where it was originally posted by the Ulster Unionist Michael Shilliday, and then on today's Nolan Show, on which Mr Hilditch mounted a reasoned defence. He pointed out that he suffers from osteo-arthritis and disability living allowance isn't means tested, so should not be offset against his MLA salary.
The Stormont register of members interests, which reveals the DLA claims, is worth a look. Nothing too scandalous that I can see. But if you want to find out which politicians are masons (Leslie Cree and Sammy Gardiner),which is a subpostmaster (Stephen Moutray), who is a rifle and pistol enthusiast (David Simpson) and who plays in a silver band (Danny Kennedy) then it's the place for you.
The newly appointed Senator Eoghan Harris was expected to make a colourful contribution to last night's West Belfast Talks Back debate. And he didn't disappoint. However, he may have got more than he bargained for. A member of the audience, one Jude Collins, a former columnist for the now defunct Daily Ireland, challenged the Senator, also a newspaper columnist, to a bet. Mr Collins quoted a column Senator Harris had written for the Sunday Independent predicting that Fianna Fail would mop up Sinn Fein's remaining Dail seats at the next election. Mr Collins who clearly disagreed with this prediction pointedly produced a Β£100 note (from the First Trust Bank). What odds, he asked, would Senator Harris give him on the re-election of Sinn Fein's TDs. Senator Harris relished the challenge and the two men agreed ten to one odds, to great cheers from the audience.
So, aside from us political correspondents who live for elections, there's at least two people on the island who can't wait for the the next poll.
They've all gone footy mad in East Belfast today with the arrival of Man Utd (minus Cristiano Ronaldo) for a glamour freindly against Glentoran. The sight of Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick coming off the plane at the City Airport reminded me that I hadn't updated readers on the crunch Parliamentary Soccer derby in London at the weekend (see previous postings "A Game of Four Halves").
So somewhat belatedly I can confirm that the Stormont players beat Cardiff on penalties in their semi final, only to succumb to a 3-0 defeat by Westminster in the final.
With no goals in open play I can't pick out the hot shots. But the goalie and captain, David McClarty, nominates central midfielder Roy Beggs Jr. for his "man of the match" award. The East Antrim MLA was apparently "a real bundle of energy". I'm sure as Deputy Chief Whip Mr McClarty would not allow his membership of the same party as Mr Beggs to cloud his impartiality as a football pundit.
One person who won't be at the Glens ground for the Man Utd. match tonight will be my colleague Martina Purdy, who is chairing the West Belfast Talks Back debate with the Education Minister Catriona Ruane, the Culture Minister Edwin Poots, the Policing Board chairman Sir Desmond Rea and the new Irish senator journalist Eoghan Harris. She'll let you know how the evening goes tomorrow.
I got back to work yesterday and didn't even have time to start deleting my e-mails, as I had a day's filming lined up for a piece about devolution for the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ's internal College of Journalism. So not much craic there, then....
Well, not until I ran into the SDLP's PJ Bradley in the Stormont Great Hall in the company of what Father Ted would have called a bunch of "lovely girls". Not the Craggy Island contestants but the international finalists for this year's "Maiden of the Mournes" competition. They included Natasha Genuk from the Russian city of Kirovsk.
PJ told me that Natasha had made a 36 hour train journey enroute to the competition before being refused travel documents to leave Russia for the Mournes. Her interpreter blamed the new cold war between London and Moscow after the murder of Alexander Litvinenko for the snag.
Not to be outdone, PJ pulled strings in the shape of his contact with the UK's Newry born Vatican ambassador, Francis Campbell, who helped smooth the Maiden's path to the Mournes.
So not a case of divine intervention but perhaps one of Vatican intervention. I'm sure Father Ted would have been proud of PJ.
The Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams was grounded by bad weather yesterday. Mr Adams was supposed to go up in a hot air balloon to officially launch Feile 2007 (the West Belfast Festival). But sadly the wet weather proved too much. I'm told however that the balloon did go up five hours late, still moored, and without Mr Adams.
Hopefully this is not a portent of Feile 2007, not least because I'm chairing West Belfast Talks Back on Wednesday. The panel includes two Executive ministers, Catriona Ruane, Sinn Fein education minister, and Edwin Poots, the culture minister, along with columnist Eoghan Harris, the newly appointed Irish Senator, and Sir Desmond Rea, chairman of the Policing Board.
The DUP in the 1999-2002 Executive liked to style itself as "government in opposition." It was a phrase the other Executive ministers treated with contempt, but is the DUP about to get the same treatment from the Ulster Unionists? The party's assembly team is gathering at Stormont next week for a strategy meeting which will debate the potential of the party to take an opposition role either inside or outside the Executive, or both. Notably, the UUP chief whip David McNarry has been quoting the DUP minister Peter Robinson's remark that the four-party Executive is in fact dominated by two parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein. Is the UUP about to lay the blame for unpopular decisions at the feet of the "dominant parties." Water charges springs to mind!
What does the future hold for Hillsborough Castle, given that the Northern Ireland Office's days are numbered? The NIO is busily putting itself out of business, working on the devolution of policing and justice (provided the DUP agree). If all goes to plan then this time next year, the Secretary of State will have little to do. Which apparently has begged the question about whether the SoS needs to be living at Hillsborough Castle, the Queen's official residence. It is certainly a question that has passed through the minds of some in the NIO....
Visitors to Stormont will find the Great Hall unusually dark these days, as the chandelier bulbs are not all working. In fact, most of the bulbs are out on the first of five gilded chandeliers adorning the ceiling. One insider claimed they only get changed when the majority of the lights need changing. Perhaps this is due to the enormous effort involved. Still, it begs the question: "How many MLAs does it take to change a lightbulb at Stormont?"
The First and Deputy First Ministers are making quite an impression with their jovial relationship. So much so that one Ulster Unionist MLA has dubbed Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness "the Chuckle Brothers." And is insisting that the title is much simpler than the mouthful that is their official titles. Not sure it will take off though, but it certainly goes with the potential slogan suggested by Mark Devenport last week: "a giggle a day keeps the direct rulers away!"
I'm 