I don’t feel unduly sympathetic toward Senator David Norris over his failed Presidential bid. The man showed an appalling lack of judgement and even in his theatrical exit it was clear that he still did not really get what had ‘done’ for him. One thing for sure, Senator Norris, who had enjoyed an Indian summer with the Irish media soon discovered just how fair weather the luvvies are when they sharpen their claws.  Far better for the noble Senator to exit now than make a fool of the nation and have to possibly resign later as President.

The Irish press tried to portray Norris as a man of the people. What nonsense – he was about as common as the Sultan of Brunei. He also holds a representative office courtesy of an antiquated and elitist system that allows only those who have been to university vote for him. Even the British scrapped that privilege.

So out goes Norris and the race becomes so wide open that Dana is now considering running too. It could not get more farcical. The Irish electorate have had their judgement on the Eurovision winner but yet she is like the unsinkable Molly Brown of Irish politics. Not so much a come-back kid as a come back granny but should she enter the Presidential race – Ireland which seemed so enthralled to the prospect of a secular President- now may get the opportunity as John Major might have said- to swing back to basics!.  But is Dana the right type of President for Ireland in 2011?  One suspects that for the majority of young Irish people – she is not. The opening for her does not come about so much by the absence of Senator Norris as the failure of Fianna Fail to show their hand.

The best that can be said for the entry of Dana into the Presidential race is that it just got a lot more interesting. Dana is bound to be controversial and she could be a boon to the greyness of Gay Mitchell and conservative thorn in the side of the urbane and poetical Michael D Higgins. She may, if successful, probably keep the candle lit in the Aras, reinstate the Angelus and make the Rosary compulsory.  A Dana victory may even see Pope Benedict offer up a Te Deum in St. Peters. Of course, she has the up-hill task of securing the support of several local authorities to get on the ballot but in fairness she did secure that support in 1997.  Even if Dana has not changed much since then, Ireland has.  Of course, the pilgrims going to Lough Derg, Croagh Patrick, Knock and Holy Achill are voters and they may think differently.  Perhaps they want a standard bearer such as Dana. Ireland could certainly do with prayer.

The whole process of electing an Irish President has come under intense and critical scrutiny.  It’s nonsense for Northerners to be excluded from voting.  The Presidency is a symbol of unity and outreach.  Northerners who wish to vote should be facilitated to do so.  Candidates should not have to be nominated by political parties, councils or members of the parliament. Any citizen of good standing should have the right to stand for election. Dana or David Norris should not have to hock themselves around every hole in the ditch council to beg for a nomination.  That eligible candidates be of a certain age before being allowed to stand should be retained. In a youth obsessed culture it should be remembered we are living much longer with 50 being the new 40! Plus to be eligible for the role of President someone needs to have proven themselves in life.

Sound judgement and an ability to reach beyond clichéd sound bites requires more than a knowledge of the top ten and how to navigate a smart phone.

The standard set by both Presidents Robinson and McAleese for the past twenty-one years has been incredibly high. They had and have gravitas.  With our reputation in tatters internationally, Ireland needs a President who can lift our morale and promote our national interests. More importantly we need a President who can help restore our national confidence.

We need someone who can raise and represent the Tricolour with dignity and grace and who can restore our tarnished reputation as a reckless nation. Caithlin Ni Houlihan needs to regain her swagger.  Any potential President needs to be the Champion in Chief of the nation! The field is not only open – the choices are wide.

At the launch of the Belfast Healthy Cities’ guide for political representatives, entitled ‘Tackling Inequalities and Promoting Wellbeing’, are Dr Bernadette Cullen, Chair of Belfast Healthy Cities, Health Minister, Edwin Poots MLA, Environment Minister, Alex Attwood MLA, and Joan Devlin, Director of Belfast Healthy Cities.

Health Minister Edwin Poots MLA and Environment Minister Alex Attwood MLA today launched a guide for political representatives entitled “Tackling Inequalities and Promoting Wellbeing.” The Belfast Healthy Cities publication provides an essential overview of how council services impact on health and wellbeing. It also highlights the role of elected representatives in developing policy designed to tackle inequalities.

The guide was launched today at a Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) event at the Dunsilly Hotel near Antrim.

Speaking at today’s event Health Minister Edwin Poots MLA said: “This publication provides a helpful overview of how Council services impact on health and wellbeing. Elected representatives play a key role in shaping people’s lives, and can make a very significant contribution to creating the living conditions that allow people from all backgrounds to reach their full potential. Healthy people are able to make the most of opportunities and contribute to social and economic prosperity.”

Also speaking at today’s event, Environment Minister Alex Attwood MLA said: “The publication of this Guide is very timely and relevant as we prepare for the introduction of Council-led Community Planning.  Councillors and councils are best placed to forge the partnerships necessary to guide the future development of their district and respond to local concerns.  This Guide will develop and support the capacity of locally elected representatives to undertake an enhanced Civic Leadership role that ensures that people and communities are genuinely engaged in the decisions made about the public services that affect them.

“Effective Community Planning will also provide the opportunity to improve the connection between regional, local and neighbourhood issues and priorities through partnership working and making best use of all available resources to deliver improved outcomes for all our people.”

Joan Devlin, Director of Belfast Healthy Cities, said: “One of the cornerstones of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network is political engagement. Participation and support from political decision makers is essential for creating healthy and sustainable cities and communities. The role of local elected representatives is particularly important, as key decisions taken at the local level shape people’s living conditions and significantly influence people’s lives, choices and health outcomes.”

Dr Bernadette Cullen, Chair of Belfast Healthy Cities, said: “This guide is intended to support elected representatives and Councils in identifying how the work of local government contributes to health and wellbeing. We would like to thank both Ministers for attending and NILGA for their kind support in launching the publication at  the first NILGA full members meeting of the new council term, as it gives us access to the guide’s target audience.”

To download an online version of the Executive Summary or the complete guide for political representatives please go to www.belfasthealthycities.com To request a print copy of the Executive Summary please contact Caroline Scott at Belfast Healthy Cities on 02890 328811.

In fairness to those seeking election it’s quite brave to go out there and put one’s name up for immediate endorsement or rejection. Many of those who go forward for election know there’s more chance of the Pope and Ian Paisley having a poker game than being elected.  Some of those who go forward are wrapped in self delusion and not even defeat or coming in on the 27th count can deflate their egos. Others are committed ideologues and political standard bearers who genuinely want to change things but are unlikely to make the best of dinner guests. Some are even likeable, which to my mind, is the main criteria for success in politics.

Likeability is so under rated by the new raft of policy wonks who comb our streets replete with focus group reports, i-phone and a cappuccino on the run.  I prefer the curmudgeonly old train wreck of a street wise politician who is full of personality and Patrick Kavanagh over some uber slick political junkie who has been suckled on West Wing and addicted to wiki leaks.

It’s hard to find a personality behind the polish these days but not all the colour has quite drifted from our political scene. There will be some in the electorate who see all of the political classes through a media prism akin to the Daily Mail.  For them all politicians are corrupt, self serving and full of double speak. Given the somersaults we have been through in Northern Ireland it’s hard not to disagree with the latter. Yet it would be wrong to tar all politicians with the same brush. Over the years I have not witnessed much corruption in Northern Ireland politics. Perhaps we have not found them out yet or they are still practising on the lower level of learning curve. Nevertheless while some have sailed close to the wind -most take on the daily toil of representation and constituency servicing with plodding honesty and integrity.

Some people are habitual non voters and they are usually those who fill constituency waiting rooms after the elections, which is why a politician’s caseload is probably the least accurate measurement of political voting intention.  The thought of not voting has never occurred to me –even though I have found my choices limited and the candidates lack lustre. The right to vote was too hard won from the elite classes and for women too hard prised from a male dominated culture to consider not voting as an option.

To some commentators, the outcome of this election maybe nearly a foregone conclusion but that is no reason to stay at home. The DUP and Sinn Fein have not been as disastrous as has been made out by both the SDLP and UUP.  Messrs. Robinson and McGuiness have been important models both home and abroad of the new and evolving face of Northern Ireland.  Despite the NI Water debacle, Conor Murphy is a competent Minister as is Michelle Gildernew and Gerry Kelly. Sinn Fein’s Achilles heel is almost certainly, Catriona Ruane and it’s grossly unfair that she is protected by her party because of nonsensical political rules that don’t cover incompetency or non performance as reasons for removal from office.  The DUP star performer has been by a long shot, Economy Minister Arlene Foster, closely followed by Sammy Wilson. In the DUP wings new talent is emerging like Simon Hamilton who gives every indication of being an effective Minister, if elevated.

The SDLP and Ulster Unionists have not and will not go away, no matter how much the DUP pray for it.  Danny Kennedy and David McNarry play a two half game to please different parts of the Ulster Unionist party though Tom Elliott fails to inspire as a Captain.

The SDLP has performed much better in the chamber than the court of public opinion. They deserve recognition for holding back the reins of two party government. People like Dolores Kelly, Patsy McGlone and Declan O’Loan have been effective de facto opposition members through their roles on various scrutiny committees.

In five years time Northern politics will have dramatically changed but with a bit more support the smaller parties could force that change sooner.

Don’t get me wrong I am interested and I will certainly vote but there is a sameness to everyone’s message. Indeed they are all claiming the same wins and they are all blaming each other for the failings.

The public know that the out-going Assembly, like the one before it, was dysfunctional. Both Assemblies were marked by stalemate and procrastination. The current incumbents of the Office of First and Deputy First Minister made a better hash of keeping the optics right by making good use of joint photo opportunities and optimistic press releases but good government needs joined up thinking and that is the frustratingly missing piece from the Northern Ireland political jigsaw.

Yet as they say God loves triers and certainly the political die hearts that tramp the streets in all kinds of weather deserve some credit for keeping the flame of local democracy alive.  These torchbearers are usually party political zealots often complimented by the candidates reluctantly press ganged family and friends. Its easy to tell the difference, the zealots actually want to engage on the doors steps; while family and friends usually want to drop the leaflet as quickly as possible and run –lest a perplexed voter asks a question.

So far, I have escaped the doorstep challenge and thankfully garden centres are fantastic havens from political harassment.

However, two events last week made me re-evaluate just how important elections really are. Firstly, there was the petrol bomb attack on a SDLP canvass team in Mid Ulster and then there was another incident involving out-going SDLP MLA, Dolores Kelly whilst she was in her car.  These incidents demonstrate that political involvement is not without personal risk. They also highlight the fact that democratic politicians, like our police service, require community cover in order to do their jobs.  Both attacks on the SDLP members were cowardly but then again we have a history of balaclava-covered scumbags and runaway heroes from both sides of the divide.   These are the type of guys whose bravado is bolstered by warped ideologies and the cosy cartel that surrounds criminal camaraderie.

In the current two horse race, between the DUP and Sinn Fein, as to who will lead the incoming Executive; there is still a need for a robust challenge from the SDLP and UUP.  Whether the Northern electorate senses any inherent danger from two party domination is entirely open to question?

The SDLP pitch in its election broadcast was like an advertisement for the i-phone.  It’s not unusual for a political party to pitch to young people but the SDLP’s obsession with youth culture runs contrary to the evidence of support it actually receives from first time voters.

Nonetheless a better piece of SDLP propaganda did appear on You- Tube appropriately targeted directly to the i-phone generation.

The limited resources available to the SDLP are well known; therefore the party needs to focus heavily in areas that can produce the best returns. No mean feat given that some existing seats are already vulnerable.  A good election for the SDLP would see them return in and about the same number of seats that they hold. A victorious election would be gaining that elusive additional seat which would give them a second ministerial portfolio under D’Hondt- especially coveted after being robbed by Alliance for the Justice post. 

One of the SDLP infamous strategists once described Brid Rodgers constituency switch from Upper Bann to West Tyrone as the party’s Stalingrad moment. It was an unfortunate comparison but this election really could be the party’s Waterloo. The SDLP should be less concerned about Sinn Fein and more concerned about Alliance, especially East of the Bann where the SDLP need to convince dithering catholic and protestant middle classes that they and not Alliance, best represent the chance to have a strong centrist and moderating influence on the Assembly and Executive. Given David Ford’s stooge like status to his DUP and Sinn Fein puppet masters that should not be too hard but SDLP guns seem to be pointing the wrong way.

Last year, the electorate gave Margaret Ritchie a well -deserved political leg up; for the sake of better democratic accountability let’s hope they are still in generous form.

Elections bring out the worst in politicians and now armed with Facebook and Twitter there’s no real escaping them.   Yet there is no buzz about these elections and that’s probably because everyone knows that very little is likely to change.  Post the election the DUP and Sinn Fein are still going to be top dogs at Stormont with the Ulster Unionists and SDLP contesting for best runner up. The Alliance party will continue to be lickspittles for the Big Two and with the Greens lighting candles to St Jude- only the prospect of an elected Jim Allister threatens to disrupt the cosy cartel that makes up the folks on the Hill. 

The faux contest about who becomes First or Deputy First Minister is just that and Marty’s offer to have a ‘double first’ is meaningless as the two posts are already co-equal.  Given that both the SDLP and Ulster Unionists have failed to demonstrate how together they would run the Executive better it’s difficult to see the electorate clamouring for change.  The events past few weeks have transformed our political leaders from grasping politicians into semi believable statesmen. 

Martin McGuiness’s unequivocal condemnation of Dissident republicans and his firm and explicit support for the PSNI is going down well across nationalist and unionist communities. It’s not so much a political u-turn as a ‘Damascene’ conversion to democracy.  As for Peter Robinson, well not since a radiant Moses came down from Mount Sinai has a community witnessed such a political transformation. A man whose cold utterances once sent shivers down the spine of many in the catholic community, now not only smiles but jokes. The bon ami between the First and Deputy First seems both sincere and genuine. It certainly goes far beyond the relationship –forged or not forged by former incumbents of that office. 

Robinson’s decision (and that of Tom Elliott) to attend the funeral mass of Constable Kerr was a correct one.

It’s inconceivable anywhere in the free world that a First Minister would even have a second thought about not attending a Funeral Mass on religious grounds. But this is Northern Ireland where the clocks used go back three hundred years on arrival at the border.  Yet Peter Robinson’s attendance at the Mass sent a strong signal out that Northern Ireland has actually changed. It also sent a message out that politically speaking in this peace process, we really are all in it together.

The real problem with the McGuiness and Robinson partnership is not about the personalities but the ideologies.  Robinson has changed the DUP from a party of protest and religious fervour into a modern political machine committed to low taxation, prudent economic stewardship, a relatively pluralist outlook and a tough stance on crime.  The integrated education call is a bit of populist politicking but he has not become Martin Luther King.  Some of what he says will have resonance with Catholic middle classes and small business owners- though not enough to have them putting DUP posters in their windows.  Yet his pragmatism gets him space to be heard.

And that pragmatism is something he shares with Martin McGuiness who also uses it to find space to heard by unionists. 

However, the problem the Deputy First Minister has is that he is hampered by outdated leftist ideology. Sinn Fein has transformed itself in political terms but its economic polices are for the birds. Both Conor Murphy and Michelle Gildernew are competent and accessible to businesses through their respective ministries but the Sinn Fein policy think tank at Connolly House casts a long shadow over their day jobs. Its likely that after the elections Sinn Fein will opt for an economic ministry as proving their competency in such a portfolio will be important to their long term evolution and their ability to convince the public that they are sound on the economy.

Recent events favour a positive election for both Sinn Fein and the DUP- though they would be unwise to take anything for granted.  Apathy in the elections could occur because by and large people are content with the status quo.

The real danger for the SDLP and UUP is the prospect of the electorate quietly ‘plumping’ for the two bigger parties.  It’s dangerous because political plumping is almost undetectable on the doorsteps, as people remain polite, taking literature and smiling.  Despite the gushing out pouring of political tweets from canvass hopefuls, no serious commentator has detected any seismic shift in our political fault lines but then politics is a game for optimists.

Many of Mr Blair’s friends and acquaintances have clearly been capitalising on his diplomatic liaison with the Lion of Libya.  Lord Mandelson was out defending his former boss saying that Blair was right to bring Colonel Gaddafi ‘in from the cold’; whilst also adding that Gaddafi was an ‘unstable, unpredictable and maverick leader’.  With that kind of insight it’s perhaps just as well that Lord Mandelson never became British Foreign Secretary -a post he was alleged to have coveted.  With due respect to the noble peer and Tony, the latter day crusader, its more than clear that far from bringing Gaddafi in from the cold, the Libyan Leader never really left the desert heat. In fact, if anything the West was more ‘taken in’ than ‘taking in’. There has never been anything benign about the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi or his family.  Even the offer to compensate victims of IRA terrorism coming from his tainted regime and his own unclean hands was a sick gimmick. The readiness to accept it was at times equally stomach churning.

Saif Gaddafi must have been one smooth operator to charm the pants of the British elite so quickly but the smell of cordite is easily eradicated by the prospect of Libyan business opportunities. The sight on TV of Colonel Blimp’s son brandishing a weapon and encouraging fighting to the death probably caused a few of the Notting Hill and Chelsea set to reach for their Rennies. 

The Libyan crisis proves beyond doubt that the UN is little more use than a chocolate fireguard when it comes to responding to a humanitarian crisis. And it’s a damn expensive chocolate fireguard at that. 

The gung ho attitude of the British Government never ceases to amaze as it told the media that they had troops ready to enter Libya, if needed.

One would have thought a country whose military is struggling and failing on its commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan needs a third front opened up in Libya as much incoming Taoiseach, Enda Kenny needs lessons in banking practices from the senior partners at Lehman Brothers. 

So much British foreign policy seems to be created on the hoof by the Prime Minister that Foreign Secretary, Mr Hague must be feeling quite redundant these days. Unfortunate as it seems, the British along with the rest of the West will have to watch as the Libyan Civil war continues. The destiny of Libya now rests with the Libyan people and the complex relationships of its tribal make-up.  What is clear is that Colonel Gaddafi and his family are not going to surrender power without a fight.

If Gaddafi survives, which is unlikely but possible, the world will have an even more erratic and maverick tyrant on its hands. The consequences for his people will be devastating but for the rest of the world it may be catastrophic. The Libyan Leader is no stranger to sponsoring international terrorism and the world is full of murky terrorist organisations only too ready to spread their poisonous venom with the backing of a mad and evil dictator. The world’s interest in the condition of the Libyan people has frankly come too little and too late.

Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize recipient wrote;  ‘Indifference, then, is not only a sin, it is a punishment. In the place that I come from, society was composed of three simple categories: the killers, the victims and the bystanders’.  It appears we are all suffering that punishment now.

The world’s indifference to maverick political regimes is not unusual; it is also indifferent to the conditions of countless millions of workers labouring for pennies in Third World sweatboxes. Perhaps Muammar Gaddafi’s mistake was in not having a Nick Clegg as the well-intentioned Deputy PM is being strung up for everything else these days.

Indeed, like Charlie Brown, Micheal Martin has found out that ‘Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love!’

The Southern elections demonstrate several things, not least of which is the fickle and illogical outlook of the Irish electorate. To say that some of their constituency choices were all over the place would be an understatement but that folks is democracy and it’s a whole lot better than burning down buildings and firing into crowds. Brian Cowen probably feels like saying what veteran US political prankster, Dick Tuck said after his defeat for a State senate seat: ‘The people have spoken- the bastards.’

Whatever about the peoples voice; there can be no doubting the stunning nature of the Fine Gael victory and their vote management strategy.  In constituency after constituency the candidates and voter engagement was nigh on perfect and no where was this more evident than in the Leaders own Mayo constituency where Fine Gael took an incredible four out of five seats.

This election was about more than channelling the anger of the people it was also was about dealing with their despair.  Fine Gael offered hope; Labour offered anger; and Fianna Fail offered more of the same. Sinn Fein’s positioning as being  ‘outside of the cosy political cabal’ is deserving of some credit given their electoral performance and the impressive array of new voices it brought to the fore.

The seeds of Fine Gael’s victory were clearly sown at grassroots level where they have been cultivating the party’s competence in local government and indeed are the largest party.

Like Sinn Fein, Fine Gael has been promoting its best talent, like the newly elected Eoghan Murphy in Dublin South West and the outspoken, Leo Varadkar; yet it should also be remembered that due to the vagaries of the PR system their actual strength has always been underestimated.

Three times in the 1980’s under the leadership of Garrett Fitzgerald the party took the largest share of the national vote but failed to be rewarded with seats.  Less remembered is that in the 1966 Presidential election, the near unknown Fine Gael TD, Tom Higgins took an impressive 49.52% vote against the national icon of Eamon De Valera. Mr Higgins nearly repeated his vote winning capacity in 1973 by taking 48% of the popular vote for Fine Gael. So the potential for Fine Gael victory has always been there. Unfortunately until and including Enda Kenny, the party has had a history of cannibalism when it comes to their Leaders.  The man they call Enda has stemmed those cannibalistic tendencies with an appetite for power.

What is healthy is the ‘fluidity’ of the modern Irish voter and the fact that some 42% of former Fianna Fail voters switched their allegiance to their supposed political nemesis –Fine Gael. In reality this election has shown up the artificial nature of Irish centre right politics and while things are too raw right now –don’t rule out Fine Gael and Fianna Fail being in a government together in the future as there is not a tissue paper between them in policy terms. 

Fine Gael is the right party to lead a stable coalition with a healthy majority provided by Labour, as there are some tough decisions to be made. However, if the price of Labour’s involvement is too high in terms of ministerial bums in ‘mercs’ and too costly in terms policy compromises; then a deal with some Independents and the constructive support of Micheal Martin from the Opposition benches may become viable option. 

Labour too, has good reasons to opt for Opposition as Sinn Fein and a lethal cocktail of Lefties are hovering over their shoulders in quite a few constituencies.

It could well be rather than allow a Sinn Fein led alliance of the left to grow in popularity from the Opposition benches that Comrade Gilmore parks his pride and puts Labour in the driving seat as the main Opposition Party sandwiching a demoralised Fianna Fail between themselves and Sinn Fein.

 Michael Martin says he is optimistic about the future. He has no alternative as all the options rest with the man of the moment- Enda Kenny.

Politicians in Stormont are cocooned from the harshness of real politics. Stormont has in effect become a caricature of itself. It’s a romper room for grown ups. It’s a place where one can stomp one’s feet in a fit of rage; giggle like a gaggle of school-girls at the leaders knock-knock jokes; pull faces at those one does not like and where you can throw one’s toys out of the pram  in the full knowledge that someone will pick  them up. Yet they want to be taken seriously. They want us to vote for them and in doing so reward them for the failure.

Frankly, it’s not good enough. However, the longest running farce outside of the West End continues at a pace. Take last week; the Health Minister. Michael Mc Gimpsey has apparently decided that there are some journalists he would rather not talk to.  Most likely it is those who would like him to answer questions for his stewardship of the failing Northern Ireland Health Service. Obviously, perestroika and glasnost have not reached the hallowed halls of Dundonald.

The Department of Health is in a chronic state of delusion but yet the Minister blames everyone for its ills except himself. Naturally, it does not help when ill prepared backbenchers afflicted with ‘Nolan-itis’ take to the airwaves with poorly thought out charges and inaccurate facts. These inexcusable and ill informed attacks allow the Minister to escape his responsibilities under a fog of misinformation.

The SDLP and Ulster Unionist ‘in/out’ routine is pure pantomime. They try to portray the role of Cinderella against the Ugly Sisters in the DUP and Sinn Fein but more often than not they end up like Buttons, well intentioned, liked but not loved. Alex Attwood’s competent administration of the Department Social Development is effective but he is hardly the public’s idea of a vote getting Prince Charming.

The DUP/Sinn Fein axis is just that. They are now mutually dependent on each other. The oft quoted Margaret Ritchie charge of carve up is valid but sadly it’s unlikely to resonate with voters. 

Of course things could change. Taking the electorate for granted is an ill advised tactic and the DUP painfully learned that lesson at the last election.

Danny Morrison, the one time ‘Ballot box and Armalite’ advocate, showed signs of  voter contempt when he thought out loud and suggested that the awful, George Galloway might be a suitable replacement for Gerry Adams as MP for West Belfast. Sinn Fein moved quickly to quash that as an option as apart from inflicting Galloway on the hard pressed electorate of West Belfast, it brought into sharp focus the folly of Sinn Fein’s nonsensical abstentionist policy. Even the public is becoming weary of a policy whereby Sinn Fein try to make a principle of not taking a Westminster salary but legitimately pocket every other Westminster expense going.  No doubt Sinn Fein also thought that to the West Belfast electorate against Galloway, even the SDLP could find a convincing Dandini.

Within a matter of months, five of the seven dwarfs will be at our doors. We will have to choose between Grumpy, Dopey, Happy, Bashful and Doc. They will try to suggest that each other is the villain but in reality there is no-one behind them to look out for.

Our politicians have created their own malaise and their cynical attempts to hold to account everyone outside of the political class from civil servants to business people from health workers to police only adds to the public’s skepticism.

Eventually, the rules of Government will have to change and the DUP is right to call for a slimmed down Administration and Assembly but their call would been more credible had they agreed with Sinn Fein; implemented the Review of Public Administration and taken a scythe to local government too. The club at Stormont is looking too cosy and too smug; watching Baron Hardup and Widow Twankey 24/7 is becoming wearisome!

But are we surprised? Northern Ireland politicians would be Olympians at the relay race such is their competence at passing the baton at speed. Yet slowly and surely we are moving closer to accountability. The consociational notion of government we are lumbered within practically insulates our governors from any form of penalty for their non performance.  Or it would if we let them away with it.

Minister Murphy and his party political PR machine want us to believe he has no responsibility for the debacle which practically affected every household in Northern Ireland. He wants us to believe that an ‘arms length’ agency which is 100% owned by Government is longer than the barge pole measurement once used by John Taylor. Of course, Minister Murphy’s misery is an opportunity for his political opponents but unlike the agony of his colleague Ms Ruane; their opportunity is not based on ideology or policy but on his perceived non performance.  They would be naive in the extreme not to take advantage of his predicament.  The ever impressive Sinn Fein PR machine senses the smell of threat to their Minister and has gone into over drive to share the pain by drawing Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood into their sights.  Mr Attwood is the bête noir of most republicans and if Sinn Fein succeeds in luring him into a PR battle over whether Murphy or he is the most effective Minister; it’s a battle the SDLP man will surely lose. 

The Assembly to date has proven itself to be a toothless tiger. It can roar but it can’t bite. In most places in the world the legislature is the supreme body. It tends to be more representative of society and it is the expression of the will of the people. Conor Murphy, Peter Robinson and Alex Attwood hold office at the discretion of their parties and their parties only represent the strength of the votes cast for them respectively.  The minimum our Assembly can do is censure a Minister.  Ours can if it has the will. Sinn Fein cannot create a Petition of Concern to trigger a ‘cross-community’ vote unless another party backs them. The Ministerial code binds Ministers to ‘support and act in accordance with the all the decisions of the entire Executive and of the Assembly’.  If Ministers fail to perform then why should n’t they be censured by the Assembly?  If political parties decide to retain damaged Ministers then that is their prerogative. But political parties should not use convoluted voting rules designed to protect against discrimination to provide cover for their failures.

This is not as Sinn Fein would like to portray it as a vendetta against Minister Murphy; its about preventing Ministers in an involuntary coalition from taking an a la carte approach to their portfolios and interventions.  If the Assembly is to be toothless abandon and let’s save £50m a year.  We can still be governed under D’Hondt appointed Ministers.  Of course this won’t happen but there is an opportunity for the minority parties to say enough is enough.  They could restore the balance between the power of the Executive and the Assembly. This is in the interests of all Assembly members as backbenchers are no more than cannon fodder and cheerleaders for their respective parties. As we have no Opposition surely we are entitled to at least some independence of conscience.

Next up extensions to Committee Stages for Tourism (Amendment) Bill and the Transport Bill will go through on the nod before new MLA Paul Givan is added to the Assembly & Executive Review Committee.

A joint DUP & SDLP motion calls on the Planning Appeals Commission to speed up its work before SF round up with a motion calling for a full public inquiry into the Rose Energy Incinerator at Glenavy.

To view the complete agenda click here.