: Colleges look to the future

Leading representatives from Northern Ireland’s six colleges discuss the future of further and higher education, and highlight its importance to economic development. The College STEM Initiative (CSI) is the colleges’ main initiative to encourage learners into careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and building those skills is their main priority. What will be the consequences for the colleges after the UK Budget? Brian Doran We have to see the outworking of the Budget and how it translates into decisions made by the Executive here. For colleges it will be down...[full story]

: Looking IN

Photographer Donal McCann explains how picturing homelessness on Belfast’s streets changed his attitude to the problem. There was...[full story]

: Paying our way

2010’s second budget makes a start on cutting the deficit but, as expected, proves unpopular. Supporters see it as a necessity but...[full story]

: Who lived in Number 10?

The lives of 15 residents at the humble Belfast address. Five labourers, a flaxdresser and a driller called 10 Downing Street their...[full story]

: Achieving a shared future

With elections looming next year, new Social Development Minister Alex Attwood does not know how long he will have to put his stamp...[full story]

: What’s the problem with skills?

Brian Acheson sees the solution in young people educated for the economy, using the block grant to grow the private...[full story]

: Diana Rusk

Political correspondent with the Irish News, Diana Rusk has had a “baptism of fire” since she took up the post...[full story]

: Peter Weir MLA

One of the few to take the route, Peter Weir was elected as an MLA before he sat in the council chamber. He was returned...[full story]

: Assembly round-up

Stormont’s last sitting month sees a logjam of legislation dominate the agenda and two new faces appearing on...[full story]

: Commissioner for Older People Bill

  Purpose: to set up and give power to the Older People’s Commissioner’s office. In its 2005 manifesto, the...[full story]

: Northern Ireland Office

Created in 1972 as Stormont’s powers were taken away, the Northern Ireland Office was the mainstay of provincial...[full story]

: Conversational politics

The implications of a changing media world on political discourse were discussed by Conall McDevitt and Mark Devenport...[full story]

: The public arena

Tighter rules on public protests will restrict the quality of democracy, contends John O’Farrell. Politics must be...[full story]

: Counting up the members

Local statistics are sketchy but political party membership appears to be holding up. Smaller parties, though, are...[full story]

: Learning from the South

Irish Ambassador to the EU Rory Montgomery, points to how Northern Ireland could make better use of Europe, by focusing...[full story]

: Responsible role

A relatively new MEP, Nessa Childers speaks to Meadhbh Monahan about her wide remit in Brussels and how decisions made...[full story]

: Reviewing CAP

Richard Halleron explains the forthcoming changes in funding and farmers’ reasons for concern. The Common Agricultural...[full story]

: Moving off the comfort funding

Northern Ireland must use EU funds as a ‘springboard’ not a ‘sofa’, according to Economic and Social Committee...[full story]

: ­Europe’s accountability

An overview of how the EU’s different parts are appointed, and their links back to the union’s states and people. Commission President:...[full story]

: The fiscal risk

Jim Nicholson warns that the euro crisis will impact on sterling and influence the UK’s economic recovery. Meanwhile,...[full story]
More Articles >>