safeguarding liberty, equality and community in NI
Elsewhere on Lib Dem Blogs…
The AGM of the Northern Ireland Liberal Democrats will be held on 30 January at 7.30p.m., in the Premier Inn, Waring Street, Belfast. All party members are invited to attend. Among the items of business are the election of a chair, treasurer, membership development officer, and voting delegates to Federal Conference.
We look forward to meeting up with members there.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,100 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 3 trips to carry that many people.
One of our young members, Stephen McFarland, of Liberal Youth Northern Ireland, is organising Christmas Liberal Drinks and Dinner for all of the local party and our friends, for the period when he is home from university. This is a great opportunity all of us in the Northern Ireland Lib Dems to get to know each other a bit more, especially with the members of Liberal Youth Northern Ireland. Whilst I appreciate that the proposed date is quite close to the festivities, it would be good to see many of our friends there as we approach the holiday season.
The venue is to be decided, but the date is 22 December 2011. It is likely to be in Belfast city centre. Please sign up on the Facebook Event for further details as they become available.
Make I take this opportunity on St Nicholas‘ Day, to wish all our friends and readers a very pleasant Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2012.
Michael Carchrie Campbell, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Liberal Democrats has supported The HIV Support Centre‘s Getting to Zero campaign as part of the World AIDS Campaign on World AIDS Day.
I know that it is vital for everyone in Northern Ireland to be educated about HIV. It is a virus that affects us all here. With the figures released today by the Public Health Agency showing a 20% increase on diagnoses it is clear that the health minister and health department need to do more to ensure that we get to Zero New Diagnoses.
Those of us who are living in Northern Ireland with HIV have a strong support from The HIV Support Centre. I can truly say that without the support that I have received there, I would not be here today. Please support them and wear a red ribbon today.
Rob Anderson, Chairman of The HIV Support Centre said:
“Please show your support by wearing a Red Ribbon and get tested and get tested early. What’s 60 seconds out of your day? It could save your life and that of those you love.”
I ask that everyone considers his advice and follows it. Doing so will help us Get to Zero.
The HIV Support Centre can be contacted on 028 9024 9268 or by visiting their website http://www.thehivsupportcentre.org.uk/
City war memorial after Battle of Britain memorial in September
The war memorial in the diamond in Londonderry/Derry has personal significance to me as one of my Great-Great Uncle’s names appears on the south eastern face. He was killed on the second day of the first 1918 Battle of the Somme. The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with whom he was serving reported heavy losses on the first day, his death is recorded as on the second say of action of that spring offensive.
The Irish regiments were a mix of men of protestant and catholic background. Indeed looking through the list of names of fellow Inniskilling Fusiliers who died in that 15 day offensive there is a balanced mix, even on the memorial in the Diamond. Indeed in that battle the 36th (Ulster) Division and 16th (Irish) Division into which the Inniskilling’s battalions were split were the two heaviest losses in that campaign with 7310 and 7149 men falling respectively.
Some of them were remembered in the Diamond on Friday and Sunday. But this morning the remembrance of those men from all parts and all churches in the city was desecrated. A number of the wreathes were taken and found burnt at Free Derry corner.
The distance from the Diamond down Butcher Street, through Butcher gate in the wall at Magazine street and down Fahan Street to Free Derry Corner is all downhill and relatively short in distance. But the distance from one to the other has at times in the city’s past been great. The walled city defended by the Apprentice Boys of Derry and the corner down in the Bogside where the massacre of Bloody Sunday happened.
Diamond to Free Derry Corner
But from 1914-18 at least and 84 years ago at the time of the first Remembrance Day in the Diamond in 1927 with the finally unveiled memorial the people of Derry had gathered to pay their respects.
Unveiling Derry War Memorial 1927
Today I’m glad that they are united in their condemnation:
“It is difficult to understand the mind-set of anyone who would do this.” William Hay MLA who also said he was “sickened” to learn of the incident
“There can be no place in our society for this kind of desecration or vandalism,” he said.
“It should not be used as an excuse by anyone to go out and do something similar, or heighten tensions in any community.” Cllr Mickey Cooper Sinn Féin
“I want to make it clear on behalf of the people of the Bogside in particular, that this action is not supported by that community.
“Those that felt the need to destroy items left at the Memorial on Remembrance Day are contributing nothing to the tolerant society we are seeking to build – and indeed I would go so far as to say that if those responsible spent more time reading about the World Wars that Memorial commemorates, than engaging in sectarian destruction, they would see many Irish names amongst the fallen. ” Pat Ramsey MLA
“I am disgusted by the actions of the mindless thugs responsible for the burning of these wreaths.
“It shows a lack of respect to those paid the ultimate sacrifice in two world wars and other conflicts.” Keith McGrellis Alliance Spokesperson
Speaking as someone’s whose family is represented by the 756 names, from all forces and both communities, on those memorial plagues around the base I want to echo the comments of others. With over 10 percent of the city having volunteered between 1914-18 everyone whose roots lie in the City has connections to someone who took part in the First World War. While there is a checquered history since that time in those four sort years men from all parts of that great city by the Foyle fought together and died side by side, irrespective of religion.
Their memory and their remembrance is the remembrance of all the people. We shall remember them and the acts of thoughtless, opportunist, thugs shall not deflect or whither that act of remembrance.
The Belfast Telegraph is seeking nominations for its Making the Difference Awards 2011. Those awarded will receive their awards at a fantastic awards night in Belfast’s Grand Opera House next year. The next round of nominations are due to be featured in the paper in the next few days so get your nominations in quickly
There are many categories, so have a look through the list and see if you want to nominate anyone.
Check the Belfast Telegraph‘s website here for the list of categories.
Nominations can be made by anyone who knows a person, project, business, or even a street they believe worthy of an award. Nominations should be no longer than 250 words and can be sent to
Making the Difference Awards,
Belfast Telegraph
124-144 Royal Avenue
BELFAST BT1 1EB
Alternatively they may be emailed to: makingthedifference@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
This evening we have heard that the City of Culture Offices have been bombed by dissident republicans and Portadown football fans threw a firework at the Glentoran bench injuring the assistant manager and goalkeeping coach atthe Oval.
Local party membership officer and two time general election candidate for Linlithgow and East Falkirk Stephen Glenn said:
“The bombers who have once again decided to attack the offices in Derry have the only culture nobody here in Northern Ireland wants to celebrate.
“The recent opening of the peace bridge across the Foyle is as much a symbol that the people of my father’s city and the rest of Northern Ireland want to move on. The award of City of Culture status for 2013 was because all aspects of culture in the North West are going to be celebrated, people are willing to learn and honour cultures more openly now than they have in the past.”
On the issue of the football incident he added.
“We have had two incidents in Northern Ireland tonight that have had the potential to cause injury. Sadly the one that has had occured at a game of football.
“It is a shame that football fans think that bringing fireworks or throwing anything unto the pitch of a sports event is going to bring pleasure. The one thing it is likely to do is take that pleasure away from another generation of young people. Many of those who grew up in the 70s and 80s didn’t have the pleasure that others elsewhere did in feeling able to follow their team everywhere, such acts of stupidity may as easily have happened in the stands as on the pitch putting lives or health of many at risk.”
Dominic Bradley MLA
If you listen to the business of the Welsh Assembly you will often hear their native language in full flow. In Stormont it is most often confined to “Go raibh míle maith agat, a Comhairle” or “Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle” Thank you, Speaker or Deputy Speaker. Earlier today Dominic Bradley the SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh tried to say a little more than this stock phrase.
He got as far as saying:
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis as an ráiteas a thug sé anseo inniu. Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur air faoi na moltaí atá sa tuarascáil a d’ullmhaigh an cumann ar mhalartuithe”
before he was interrupted mid phrase due to the nature of the Irish language by the deputy speaker Roy Beggs asked “How long are you going to take to ask this question?”
He continued:
“-oideachais Thuaidh agus Theas, agus cén uair a chuirfear na moltaí sin i gcrích”
In other words he’d got as far as saying.
Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I thank him for his statement here today. I want to ask him about the proposals in the report prepared by the association of North and South educational exchanges, and when the recommendations will be completed
Before he was asked to sit down by the UUPs Mr Beggs. He was later told by the speaker William Hay (coincidentally a DUP elected MLA) that he would not be allowed to speak in the chamber for some time. A similar decision though with an actual time scale was made to TUV MLA Jim Allister last week (the period being one week).
Section 78 of the Assembly’s Standing Orders states:
“Members may speak in the language of their choice.”
This is what Mr Bradley was in the process of doing when he was interrupted, it appears that he was near the end of his question. Common courtesy is that Irish speakers will translate what they have said into the common language of the chamber after speaking in Gaeilge.
So it appears that either the Deputy Speaker suspended standing orders or he actually broke them by interjecting into the question that was being asked and appears to have been brief and almost drawing to a conclusion when he interrupted Mr Bradley. The speaker or deputy does have sole access to simultaneous translation in the chamber and therefore should have known that a question was being formed. While Mr Bradley is not totally faultless in the way that he dealt with the subsequent exchange he was none the less cut off somewhat prematurely by the chair.
So while the chair may have been aware what was being framed and that is was about the matter being debated did he leave sufficient time for the member to finish he question? Did he take it upon himself to hurry up the use of Irish in contravention to standing orders section 78? The speaker has taken action against Mr Bradley for his part in the contretemps but what sanctions will the speaker take against his deputy for his impatience?
Notes The full transcript of the exchange from Hansard
Mr D Bradley: Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis as an ráiteas a thug sé anseo inniu. Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur air faoi na moltaí atá sa tuarascáil a d’ullmhaigh an cumann ar mhalartuithe [Interruption.]
Mr McNarry: How long are you going to take to ask this question?
Mr D Bradley: –oideachais Thuaidh agus Theas, agus cén uair a chuirfear na moltaí sin i gcrích—
Mr Deputy Speaker: Will the Member ask his question and translate please?
Mr D Bradley: Gabh mo leithscéal.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Will the Member ask his question and translate please?
Mr D Bradley: Mr Deputy Speaker, I was in the process of asking a question when you interrupted me. I shall now translate my question, as required by the rules of the House.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Will the Member please sit down?
Mr D Bradley: No, I refuse to sit down.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Will the Member please sit down?
Mr D Bradley: Ní shuífidh mé síos.
Mr Deputy Speaker: I am chairing this event today. Will the Member please sit down?
Mr D Bradley: Is cuma liom.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Will the Member please sit down? I wish to speak.
Mr D Bradley: Bhí mé ag cur ceiste nuair a chuir tú isteach orm toisc gur chuir an fear sin isteach.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Is the Member challenging the Chair?
Mr D Bradley: The Member is challenging the Chair.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Will the Member please sit down?
Mr D Bradley: Yes.
Mr Deputy Speaker: I remind everyone that the Chair is chairing a meeting of the Assembly. If the Speaker or a Deputy Speaker asks someone to sit down, I ask that people respect that. I gave the Member a degree of time to ask his question, but I did not hear that question. I then asked for a question and for a translation. I ask the Member to ask his question and to ensure that there is order in the House. I ask that everyone please respects the Speaker.
Mr D Bradley: Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Thank you for that ruling, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am pleased that you are in authority here rather than Mr McNarry.
Will the Minister state what action is being taken to implement the proposals prepared by the North/South Exchange Consortium on educational exchanges? When can we expect to see some movement on that report?
Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson, made a vow to end double-jobbing MPs and MLAs. He said:
“I don’t believe anybody can be a full-time MP and a full-time Assembly Member, and so I will give you this commitment today – by agreement if possible, but by law if necessary – we will end double-jobbing.”
So a marker has been laid down. Either the parties get their own houses in order of the Northern Ireland Act will be changed to disallow a sitting MP from taking up a seat in Stormont.
However, he has gone on to say the people of Northern Ireland should have the option of voting for a party that could form a government. Now forgive me for butting in but over the last two years there have been three parties that have been able to form and act in Government at Westminster. So surely the people should have a choice in voting for the parties that could form a government as well as the Northern Irish parties who have been seen as key opponents or allies of governments past and present.
If Paterson is saying that the people of Northern Ireland should be allowed to vote for the party that forms government, meaning only his own, what about Labour and the Liberal Democrats as well?
Edwin Poots MLA together with the Scottish Health Minister. Maybe she can make him see some sense. Image by DUP Photos via Flickr
Once again it seems that Northern Ireland is going to be left behind by a Minister who has delayed policies in the past in another department.
Today Edwin Poots MLA, our Health Minister informed the Health Committee in the Assembly that the lifetime ban on gay men donating blood was not going to be lifted, unlike what is happening in the rest of the United Kingdom.
It is clear that the Minister is not really taking the same advice as his counterparts across the water. A number of organisations and political parties have been making comments.
Are we expected to be self-sufficient with our own blood supply?
This is a fair point made by John O’Doherty of The Rainbow Project, if Northern Ireland is excluding donations, are we able to accept blood from the rest of the UK? I am not sure that we currently do accept blood from there – but surely it would possibly extend to donations of other organs.
The HIV Support Centre‘s new Director, Danny McQuillan response highlighted the need for focusing on the sexual behaviour of all blood donors. He also suggested that the continuance of this policy would discriminate and stigmatise people based on their sexual orientation:
We urge the Minister to re-think this decision and adopt a policy that will protect pubilc safety, a policy focusing on excluding those who engage in high-risk and unsafe sexual behaviour, not a policy that discriminates and stigmatises people based on their sexual orientation.
said Danny McQuillan, Director of The HIV Support Centre.
I really believe that it is time for Northern Ireland to ‘grow up’. Gay men are not the only ones that take part in high-risk sexual behaviour. How many other people are having unsafe sex regularly? It is likely that there are many, yet they are not banned for life. We need to look at this and get it sorted out.
