THE WEEK THAT WAS….
Given the comparisons between Northern Ireland and South Africa (take your pick as to which tribe here best represents the Afrikaners or ANC) it was surprising no-one thought to shoe-horn in a Belfast trip for President Jacob Zuma as part of his UK state visit.
Leaving aside the commonality of trying to trying to create a shared future in a ‘post’ conflict state, the agile Jacob evidently has plenty of insight into the theory and practice of multi-party mandatory coalitions. Not from a Governmental point of view mind you – no d’Hondt south of the equator to worry about – but from a personal perspective.
As an individual, Mr. Zuma has voluntarily entered into a mandatory coalition with three other partners – ‘wives’ would be the technical term. If you thought the Hillsborough Castle discussions were complicated, spare a thought for poor Mr. Zuma who had to explain to two of his wives that the proprietors of the Buckingham Palace B&B in the Mall, London, only had a room for two (as for his 20 children, don’t even go there). Here is a man who understands intimately how to negotiate under pressure.
Even Mr. Zuma, though, might have felt that the impending move to extend Stormont’s polygamistic arrangement from four parties to five was a step too far. In all likelihood the blushing bride, Mr. Ford of Alliance, looks set to stride up the aisle next week once Policing & Justice is devolved. Leaving aside the possibility that the wedding guests (I believe they’ve invited 108 close friends and foes) may decide to burn the reception down (it’s some very fancy-dan place in East Belfast) in a fit of pique, it appears that Mr. Ford may have jeopardized his position with an indiscretion last year.
A jilted-party seems to have got hold of some private correspondence Mr. Ford had with his one true love over the sea in the Liberal Party, expressing views about the Bloody Sunday inquiry which are widely held, but are too scandalous to mention in public. No doubt the marriage will be consummated (there’s a not inconsiderable dowry of £800m attached to the union) but Mr. Ford’s veil has slipped. The entire point of, and for choosing Alliance, was the party’s apparent inoffensive aloofness above the normal political bun fight. It’s now transpired, however, that they’re only human after all.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Oral Answers
The DFM defended his support for the appointment of a new Justice Minister without recourse to d’Hondt, didn’t confirm that Mike Nesbitt would be replaced as a Victims’ Commissioner and danced round the detail of what the Parades Working Group has concluded.
Environment Questions were somewhat grumpy as MLAs got hot and bothered about a planning application regarding Knock Golf Course; there was also a sharp exchange between the Minister and Daithi McKay (SF, North Antrim) concerning a GAA club application in Bryansford. The DCAL Minister tackled industrial heritage, cultural tourism and the promotion of cricket.
Written Answers
DCAL spent £3.6m on consultants’ fees re. the Maze Stadium, the Education Minister believes that her decision to withdraw funding from prep schools doesn’t require Executive approval and noted that 40% of Grammar School children achieved Grade A / A* in English compared to 5% of non-Grammar School pupils. DEL spent £30K on catering last year.
DETI noted that North Down has the fewest unemployed people (1,839) and Foyle has the highest (5,023), and that the Tourist Board spent £150K consulting on a brand for NI tourism. Environment confirmed that children under three can travel unrestrained in taxis, DFP revealed that there were over 100 16-year olds and under became mothers last yearm and DRD announced that 675K people used the Strangford Ferry last year.
COMMITTEES
Health considered a Private Member’s Bill on Missing Children, the Economic Reform Group briefed DETI on the benefits of lower corporate tax rates and DCAL went over the top at the Somme Heritage Centre. Education went back to basics to focus on Primary School funding, DEL mucked in with the Young Farmers to find out about rural youth and DFP got to grips with NAMA.
DARD went to the dogs with a session with Show Dogs Ireland and the upcoming Dog Control Bill. DRD checked the mirror before manoeuvring onto the Road Safety Strategy.
AND FINALLY….
Congratulations to Dr. Farry (Alliance, North Down) was striking upon an ingenious method to speed up proceedings in the House. Dr. Farry, who always brings insight and a degree of comprehension sadly lacking elsewhere in the House, usually has quite a lot to say about all things financial.
During this week’s Budget debate, however, he was called out of the Chamber and was forced to hand his illegible notes to his Strangford colleague, Kiaran McCarthy, who truncated them into a single paragraph. Indeed, Mr. McCarthy who has a one-track mind, spent all most as much time on his favourite subject, the potholes of the Ards’ Peninsula.
If other MLAs could be persuaded to follow suit the House could finish its weekly business in time for Monday lunch.
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