Politics: A petitions committee in practice
Thursday, March 1st, 2012The Oireachtas is about to become the latest neighbouring legislature to establish a public petitions committee. Stephen Dineen examines the scope for one in the Assembly. A parliamentary committee in Dublin is to start considering public petitions, with citizens able to lobby the Oireachtas on matters of general interest. The UUP has told agendaNi it will now be pressing for a review of the current petitions system in the Assembly. Under the proposed standing orders for the new Public Service Oversight and Petitions Committee, citizens will be able to submit a “written request...[full story]
Trades union desk: The value of nothing
Thursday, March 1st, 2012When government is urged to change the law by very interested parties, the least they should do is come up with some evidence. Recently however, quite dubious ‘facts’ are being created by lobbyists who seek the cost of everything and appreciate the value of nothing. On 25 November 2011, the Irish News and the Belfast Telegraph, both ran the ‘exclusive’ story that trade unions were receiving £4 million in ‘hand outs’ from the taxpayer. Not coincidentally, these reports were published days before the largest ever day of industrial action seen in Northern Ireland. ...[full story]
Politics: Brussels to Belfast
Thursday, March 1st, 2012A need to remember The European Union is “poor at remembering” and must formally commemorate the First and Second World Wars, rather than just moving on, according to Diane Dodds. The Parliament held a minute’s silence on 11 November last year to mark “World War One and other wars”. Dodds, a former history teacher, wants to see a formal remembrance tradition established in the EU institutions to remember the two global conflicts. Dodds is also troubled by the rise in anti-Semitism across Europe, which suggests that the Holocaust is being forgotten. ...[full story]
Politics: Are constituency offices needed?
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Meadhbh Monahan assesses the need for constituency offices, especially as some MPs and TDs can do without one. A common sight in cities, towns and villages across the United Kingdom and Ireland, constituency offices are seen by many as the first port-of-call for personal and community problems. Politicians often claim that their constituency offices are central to a party’s grasp of the ‘bread and butter’ issues. However, many MPs and some TDs in the Republic don’t have a constituency office. Instead, they hold surgeries at various locations where constituents come to...[full story]
Politics: Westminster notes
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Parliament to hold wide-ranging drugs inquiry The Home Affairs Committee has launched a drugs inquiry which will examine the effectiveness of the UK Government’s drugs strategy and its contribution to global efforts to reduce the supply and demand of illicit drugs. While Stormont is responsible for tackling drug use, for example through health policy, Westminster remains responsible for the law on illicit drugs. The inquiry will specifically look at the availability of ‘legal highs’ and the challenges associated with adapting the legal framework to deal with new substances....[full story]
Politics: Future of the Northern Ireland media
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Commentators and journalists from across the media share their thoughts on the way ahead for the sector at an agendaNi seminar. ‘Content is king’ for ensuring high quality in the future of the media, according to well-informed observers. agendaNi has held a seminar on Northern Ireland’s changing media landscape, which brought together a range of viewpoints of print journalists, broadcast managers and social media consultants. “If you see something in a newspaper that you like, tell people and encourage them to buy it,” said Tony Axon as he called for good, credible content...[full story]
Politics: Policy making in political parties
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Devolution has increased the influence of policy formulated by local politicians. Peter Cheney examines how the political parties make decisions and the ‘dos and don’ts’ when lobbying. Much of the research behind manifestos and ministerial announcements is done by staff behind the scenes. While policy officers tend to avoid publicity, their work is having an increasing impact on how Northern Ireland is run as devolution settles down. Policy officers and Assembly spokespeople are generally the best contact points for proposals affecting the whole region (as opposed...[full story]
Politics: Assembly round-up
Thursday, March 1st, 2012A Marine Bill was added to the short list of legislation to be undertaken by the Assembly, which largely spent the month debating the Budget and welfare reform. February’s proceedings began on Accession Day (6 February), with Peter Robinson congratulating Queen Elizabeth on the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne: “yet another remarkable milestone in her reign.” Representatives from Alliance, the UUP and SDLP joined in the congratulations. Apart from a Budget Bill (which is compulsory) and a Rates (Amendment) Bill, only two bills (Pensions and Marine) have been progressed...[full story]
Assembly: Ulster Unionist reshuffle
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Following the resignation of Strangford MLA David McNarry, UUP leader Tom Elliott appointed Mike Nesbitt in his place as the party’s education spokesman. Sandra Overend, in turn, takes Nesbitt’s enterprise, portfolio. The UUP currently has 15 MLAs, 97 councillors, one MEP and four peers. Portfolio Name Leader Tom Elliott Deputy Leader of Assembly Group John McCallister Agriculture and Rural Development Jo-Anne Dobson Culture, Arts and Leisure Robin Swann Education Mike Nesbitt Employment and Learning Basil McCrea Enterprise, Trade and Investment Sandra Overend Environment Danny...[full story]
Meet the media: Tara Mills
Thursday, March 1st, 2012BBC Northern Ireland’s Tara Mills presents Sunday Politics and Stormont Today on Monday and Tuesday nights. She shares her passion for politics and the need to give viewers a voice by holding their representatives to account. What sparked your interest in journalism? I’ve always had a passion for politics and the news. As a child I remember being fixated and slightly scared of the BBC’s WD Flackes. It definitely runs in the family. My mum and dad always watched the news and read the papers. My brother Richard was a war photographer for The Times so the...[full story]
