THE WEEK THAT WAS….
Such has been the fallout from the Credit Crunch that even a well established name such as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is finding it tough going. This week it emerged that the iconic film studio has accumulated eye watering debts totaling $4bn and that the latest Bond film has been put on the ice. Sam Goldwyn would not be impressed.
Current day MGM Executives would do well to abandon the tried and tested method of sitting in a quiet, darkened corner to compose their thoughts. If they need a serene environment to contemplate the prospect of spending more time with their families they need simply ping some microwave popcorn into the oven and download this week’s Assembly’s debates. They’ll not be shaken and definitely not be stirred.
Not much is happening at Stormont because anything which really matters politically is taking place on the canvass trail or in the TV studios. The 95-plus MLAs who didn’t turn up for the initial vote on creating a café culture society weren’t in need of too much prompting to work out that the electorate weren’t exactly glued to the screens.
Mind you, I’m not sure the electorate was even going to be that enthralled by last night’s NI Leaders’ Debate. Kicking off the event to the dulcet tones of ‘When Two Tribes Go to War’ was a tad unsubtle, as was the glaring absence of an apostrophe at the end of ‘Leaders’ on all the branding.
The format didn’t allow for much cut and thrust with the SDLP leader killing off any spontaneity by reading her starting pitch. The DUP leader didn’t inject any oomph with an Eyjafjallajokull-style explosion when queried about land transactions and Mr. Adams was as unflappable as ever. As for Sir Reg – where do those shirt and tie combos come from?
Television is a cruel medium, pandering to our shallowest emotions. I know it shouldn’t, but, sadly, sartorial elegance on TV counts. Labour has accused the Tories of turning back the clocks to the 80s, but someone in Cameron Towers really should intervene and tell Sir Reg to stop heading straight to the 70s.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Oral Answers
The Health Minister welcomed moves to ban Methodrome, criticized the Education Minister for her lack of response to his thoughts on a Ryan-style inquiry into child abuse and complained that it took OFMDFM nine months to respond to new adoption proposals. The DRD Minister is looking at governance options for NI Water, detailed why the existing A5 route in Tyrone couldn’t be upgraded and discussed traffic flow in Bangor.
For her part, the Social Development Minister talked up Victoria Square, the importance of shared space and town centre regeneration – although she did seem to have a surprising preponderance of opportunities to talk about the South Down Westminster constituency. Hmmm…
Written Answers
OFMDFM noted that major demolition work at the Maze site has been completed, Education revealed that there are 31,000 and 34,000 unoccupied spaces respectively in Controlled and Maintained Primary Schools, and DEL disclosed that there were 11,000 unsuccessful applications to NI universities last year.
DoE argued that more could be done to recycle the 25% of household waste which is food based, the Health Minister refused to comment on the funding of Iris Robinson’s ongoing care, Justice disclosed that 1,600 people went to jail last year for failing to pay court fines and DSD expects work on the first 100 homes at Girdwood barracks to begin next year.
COMMITTEES
DARD considered renewable energy, DEL has an ongoing enquiry into NEETs and DFP was counting the cost of insurance locally, Education was briefed on the Department’s budget and DoE belted-up for briefings on its Road Safety strategy.
DETI met Quinn Insurance employees to discuss their risky jobs, DCAL tried to get a grip on those slippery Eel Fishing Regulations, Justice held their first meeting to work out what exactly they did, the PAC turned its attention to organized crime and Health was exposed to upcoming Sun Bed Bill.
AND FINALLY….
Sam Goldwyn usually had a quip to hand, some of which should provide comfort to our politicians, particularly as they’re being dissected and fed to the baying media pack. Sam’s advice was: “Don’t pay any attention to the critics. Don’t even ignore them.”
Mr. Goldwyn even had some words of wisdom from beyond the grave for the TUV’s Jim Allister, or possibly that was the Real IRA, you decide:
“Don’t worry about the war. It’s all over but the shooting.”
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