THE WEEK THAT WAS….
“Thorn in my side, you know that’s all you ever were. A bundle of lies – you know that’s all that it was worth. I should have known better, but I trusted you at first. I should have known better, but I got what I deserved….”
The recent murder of Bobby Moffett on the Shankill , apparently by individuals “linked to the UVF”, has reminded everybody that it’s not just dissident Republicans who like to dip into the ‘physical force’ tradition when it suits. Maybe, just maybe though the paramilitaries may have overstepped the mark this time.
The ‘balaclava brigade’ have always thrived as parasites on the backs of their ‘host communities’ – ‘thorn in my side’ wouldn’t begin, however, to describe the extortion, criminality and summary justice which the self-styled protectors of the community like to inflict upon their own areas. Problem is, it was easier to get away with murder when you could do it under the cover of full blown inter-community strife. Strip that away and it allows the light to shine that bit more brightly on the seedy underbelly of life.
Apart from spurring significant numbers on the Shankill to stand up to the various text threats which have been issued against those who were appalled by the murder, Mr. Moffett’s death has also left the UVF-linked PUP without its leader, Dawn Purvis (Belfast East) who has quit over the incident to sit as an independent in the Assembly.
Given the recent disastrous electoral performance of Unionist leaders in the TUV, DUP and UUP perhaps she was feeling left out? The move will, however, enhance Ms Purvis’ already good reputation among the chattering classes; those left wondering why she didn’t make the move earlier will have to wait for an answer.
Talking about ‘thorns in my side’, mainstream Unionists will have been mightily disappointed to learn that the TUV ‘haven’t gone away’. The party confirmed this week that reports of its demise are premature. Looks like all those hopes that the poor performance in the General Election would finish off the loquacious Mr. Allister were – how would Annie Lenox put it? – just ‘Sweet Dreams’.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Oral Answers
The DARD Minister received a surprisingly gentle ride over the £60m fines from the EU over all those ‘confused’ claims by local farmers, nor was she overly concerned about the impact on farmers of vesting 100,000 acres along the route of the new A5 in Tyrone.
Over at DCAL the Minister was happy to talk up the benefits of Ulster-Scots funding, the new PRONI HQ at Titanic Quarter and the potential of the Creative Industries (as opposed to Creationism). The Education Minister continued to be a source of aggravation; this week over the role of churches in the controlled sector and the availability of pre-school places.
Written Answers
A less than exciting list of questions this week to peruse. OFMDFM noted that over 58,000 pensioners live in relative low income poverty, Education has spent £68K on translations / publications for Irish and £35 for Ulster Scots, while DETI estimated that between 120K and 150K people attended this year’s NW200.
DoE confirmed that Belfast Council spent £9m on economic development last year, Derry was next with £4.7m while Ballymoney spent just £200K. Justice revealed that there are 16 juveniles in custody and that its aim is to cut the legal aid budget by 25%.
COMMITTEES
DCAL was totting up its figures, DARD had the joys of the EU’s Amateur Vegetable Directive to savour, DEL is still ‘NEET-picking’ and DFP is inquiring after public sector efficiencies. DRD was traversing some of its major road upgrades, OFMDFM was updated on developments at the Maze (that must have been short) and DoE considered the needs of children as part of the Road Safety strategy.
Language strategy was getting DCAL tongue tied, DETI plunged into the red with consideration of the Debt Relief Bill and Justice threw itself on the mercy of officials to brief them on the upcoming Justice Bill.
AND FINALLY….
If you’re struggling at your desk this beautiful Friday afternoon waiting for the weekend to arrive, spare a thought for our poor MLAs who have been recalled for a special debate this afternoon on the Gaza crisis.
Given the plethora of home-made problems sitting unloved on Stormont’s doorsteps, one would have thought that a foreign affairs issue may not have been the best reason for a special recall. Mind you, as the rest of us have to suffer 9 – 5, five days a week, sympathy for MLAs is likely to be limited.
