THE WEEK THAT WAS….
“So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night. I hate to go and leave this pretty sight”
Ah, Christmas is coming and this year the networks have promised a bumper year of repeats with over 600 hours of regurgitated material to help aid the nation’s postprandial naps. MLAs – though some may on occasion give evidence to contrary – are in fact human just like the rest of us and will be cosying up on the couch after warm words from the Queen / Irish President (delete as appropriate).
Some time, somewhere, the ‘Sound of Music’ will be on. While MLAs can’t agree on whose Christmas message to listen to, at least the musically talented and plucky von Trapps cater for a wide spectrum of political views – sometimes within the same song.
Given the comments of the Deputy First Minister and the outgoing Francie Brolly (Sinn Fein, East Londonderry) who doesn’t have to worry about what he says any more, there are some who will be wondering if they’ll be back in Stormont at all in the New Year. Some genuinely would “hate to go and leave this pretty site”.
In a magnanimous spirit of Christmas inclusivity, however, the final chorus chimes along to: “So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night. I’m glad to go, I cannot tell a lie.” For some MLAs, it’s not so much a case of the von Trapps, but of being trapped with people they evidently don’t like and being burdened with a system of Government which by necessity is as appetizing as a microwave Christmas dinner and as lite-touch as a Christmas pudding infused with 30% proof brandy butter.
How serious is Sinn Fein? Indeed, how serious is anyone about Policing & Justice? The SDLP has proposed its DSD Minister for the post in a patently doomed application which appears to have more to do with internal politics, the UUP is still enjoying the DUP’s discomfort over the issue, the DUP would be glad to shelve the idea altogether and Alliance has refused to nominate anyone until matters are resolved to its satisfaction.
If it all goes Pete Tong again, though, any freezing of MLAs’ pay will mean that at least they’ve made a credible contribution to trimming the nation’s mountain of debt.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Oral Answers
The DFM argued that former IRA elements who may get involved with dissident Republicans would be “very foolish”. He also pledged his support for Childcare Vouchers and brusquely refused to answer a Question from Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry) suggesting that P&J devolution mightn’t happen for ten years.
Environment suggested a Single Waste Authority and a Business Services Centre could save £300m over 25 years) and also addressed Illegal Dumping and Road Safety. The DFP Minister had a rant against the ‘Nolanisation’ of politics, defining it as the tendency to provide easy answers to difficult questions. Sadly, there will be no easy options when it comes to finding savings of £370m from the Executive’s expenditure.
Written Answers
OFMDFM has no plans to issue a guidance note asking Ministers to refrain from referring to homosexuality as a ‘lifestyle choice’, 30 DARD employees are paid more than their Minister thanks to Sinn Fein’s policy of ‘pooling resources’ while in DCAL just two civil servants are paid more than the Minister (he’s on £80,902 for the record).
Education has spent £7.2m on the yet to be established ESA, DETI noted that there are 139,961 full-time public sector employees in NI (25,000 in Belfast South) and that the Regulator’s review into business energy costs will report in early 2010. Environment confirmed support for a Single Waste Authority, but was unable to specify savings which might arise. Civil Service overtime pay has fallen by 25% over five years according to DFP and DRD noted that there were 770K Snr Smart Pass journeys in Nov.
COMMITTEES
The British Association for Shooting & Conservation opened up on the DARD Committee, DRD was updated on Ports policy and Education discussed asset disposal (buildings rather than personnel). Health contemplated the tragic deaths of the McElhill family, NITB briefed DETI on progress with its various tourism signature projects while Dame Mary Peters was revving DCAL up about the Ulster Sports Museum.
Environment went on a daytrip to visit the potato heads at Tayto Castle to discuss waste oil recycling. At least the nibbles would have been good.
THE WEEK AHEAD
The House is in Recess until January 11th.
Hurrah!
AND FINALLY….
North South Ministerial Council statements are a regular feature of the House and rarely provide much excitement, particularly if Agriculture is involved and even more so if the focus is on Aqua culture and Marine issues.
Given that it was the end of term even the DARD Minister was finding it difficult to muster her own enthusiasm:
“We can probably think of better ways to spend a Monday afternoon, but there we are.”
Alright, it’s not Burke, Lloyd George or Daniel O’Connell, but it was probably the most insightful comment on the Floor of the House this week. Roll on Christmas, we all need a break.
Loading ...
