: New year honours list

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Fifty-five individuals from Northern Ireland have been recognised in the new year honours list for their service to society. Across the UK, 984 awards were announced. Order of Bath Companion (CB) Carol Patricia Moore, lately director, justice policy, Department of Justice Order of the British Empire Dame Commander (DBE) Professor Judith Eileen Hill CBE, chief executive, Northern Ireland Hospice Commanders (CBE) Catherine Elizabeth Bell, deputy secretary, Department for Employment and Learning Professor Jack Crane, state pathologist Officers (OBE) David William Best, director...[full story]

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: The Big Society – Hugo Swire interview

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
To Hugo Swire, the Big Society is a major culture shift to give power to citizens but critics claim the concept is shallow and disguises cuts. Peter Cheney discusses the idea with the NIO Minister. Instead of a cover for cuts, Hugo Swire sees the Big Society as a kind of confession. The NIO Minister, who leads on the subject in the province, describes it as an admission that “big government can’t always do it, shouldn’t always do it and when it does things, it doesn’t always do it very well.” He sums up David Cameron’s concept as a transfer of power from the state to local...[full story]

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: James Naughtie’s America

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Seasoned political journalist James Naughtie shares his thoughts on the US presidential race, and what makes a good interview, with Peter Cheney. Less than a year before the USA chooses a new President, Jim Naughtie finds that many Americans no longer believe in the American Dream. The BBC Today Programme presenter has covered every presidential election since 1988 and is discussing the current state of US politics after speaking at the Belfast Festival at Queen’s. “Many Americans, say aged between 30 and 50, are profoundly sceptical of the idea with which they grew up, that it was...[full story]

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: Inside Northern Ireland’s 1981 archives

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Peter Cheney trawls through the 1981 papers, which depict a province caught in the grip of turmoil. The Troubles took 114 lives that year, including the 10 republican hunger strikers. Today’s political leaders took to the streets and were very much outside the establishment. Reactions to Sands’ death A compelling weekly bulletin from the Northern Ireland Office (file NIO/12/194A) describes the first week of May 1981 in grim detail. The medical prognosis of the hunger strikers had a direct bearing on the security situation outside the jail. “As anticipated in the last bulletin Sands’...[full story]

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: Realising spatial data’s potential

Monday, December 19th, 2011
Northern Ireland’s 2009-2019 Geographic Information Strategy is releasing the practical potential of spatial data across government. agendaNi brings together specialists and clients from the public and private sectors, to examine how the way ahead for an important area of innovation. Why do we need the GI strategy? Trevor Steenson The Northern Ireland Geographic Information strategy is very similar to strategies in Europe and the rest of the world in that it is trying to co-ordinate the use and dissemination of geographic information. There’s a lot of spatial and non-spatial data...[full story]

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: Bruce Robinson’s reflections

Monday, December 19th, 2011
Sir Bruce Robinson, the recently retired Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, talks to Owen McQuade about his time leading the Civil Service and his experience of working to improve the local economy. Bruce Robinson has been at the forefront of efforts to transform the Northern Ireland Civil Service over many years. Before getting the top job at NICS he was involved in economic development, starting in the IDB and then as Permanent Secretary at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Looking back on the change programme you led over the past few years, what are the...[full story]

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: Analysis

Monday, December 19th, 2011
After a disappointing start, devolution has to deliver in this Assembly term. Peter Cheney scrutinises the draft Programme for Government. Ministers have insisted they will deliver on the new Programme for Government, after a poor track record over the last four years. However, the process has already been dominated by delay with the draft published six months after the May election. A final version will only be ready after 22 February 2012, when consultation ends. Northern Ireland’s grindingly slow political system compares badly with direct rule. Furthermore, the province risks being...[full story]

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: Stephen Farry – skills and study

Monday, December 19th, 2011
Skills are vital for economic success, emphasises Stephen Farry as he discusses his brief with Peter Cheney. The Employment and Learning Minister stands by his decision on tuition fees and wants to see more students gaining work experience. Stephen Farry sees his brief as a “huge opportunity” despite DEL being the last department handed out under d’Hondt. “It was very much something that was in our minds because we regarded DEL as being a major economic department,” the Alliance Party Minister comments, “and indeed a department that’s actually central to the long-term economic...[full story]

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: Michelle O’Neill’s rural priorities

Monday, October 10th, 2011
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill shares her priorities with Owen McQuade as reform proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy are finalised. She also wants the rural white paper to make a real difference in the countryside. Getting the best deal out of CAP reform for local farmers is Michelle O’Neill’s main priority as the European Commission prepares to publish its proposals. In addition, she wants to encourage more growth in the prospering agri-food sector at a time when the rest of the economy is stalling. The plans will be announced on 12 October,...[full story]

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: Irish presidential election preview

Monday, October 10th, 2011
Peter Cheney considers the consequences of the Irish presidential election. Ireland will be gripped by a lively and intense presidential race in the run-up to polling day on 27 October. The first presidential poll since 1997 sees the widest field of candidates to date (seven) aiming for high office, among them Martin McGuinness. His success is far from guaranteed. David Norris also appeals to the protest vote, Gay Mitchell and Michael D Higgins have party machines. Mary Davis, Seán Gallagher and Dana Rosemary Scallon (a Derry woman) can claim to be independent outsiders. Close scrutiny...[full story]

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