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Stormontspy

Listed below are comments made by Stormontspy between Sunday, 15th November 2009 and Monday, 23rd November 2009 (12 Hours Ago) .

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Not living in caves 10:32pm on 23 Nov 2009 Mark,

On Saturday Peter said -

"We held our ground when others bowed the knee; resisted the blandishments of false friends and held firm to our principles and beliefs."

Peter must have a short memory. At a DUP annual dinner in 2004 the leader at the time Ian Paisley said -

"Men and women of North Antrim, the political home of Ian Paisley, you know that I am not in the business of sellouts and surrenders.

When I first received your trust 34 years ago to be the voice of this great constituency you gave me the charge to defend the Union, protect Ulster, speak out for our people and lead us all to better days. I have put my hand to that task and you put your faith in me many years ago.

There will be no sell out or surrender as far as the Democratic Unionist Party is concerned. May I not fail this Province that I love!"

As Democratic Centrism wrote "Can't wait for Paisley's memoirs, the years 2006-2007 in particular" I whole heartily agree.

Stormontspy
Gerrymandering in Dunmurry? 5:54pm on 21 Nov 2009 Tony Stanney,

What is wrong with the funeral parlour? I tried Google but can't find anything exact.

Stormontspy
Not living in caves 5:48pm on 21 Nov 2009 Mark,

From the word go it was clear today that the DUP are petrified of Jim Allister. In Peter's second paragraph he mentioned Jim. In total Peter said Jim's name 7 times and mentioned the TUV 3 times. Nigel Dodds said Jim's name 3 times. I note Peter has still not mentioned anything about cozying up to Marty by day and trying to smash him by night!!

Let us pick the bones out off Peter's speech -

Peter stated - "I make no apology for saying that I stand by this party’s conduct of the St Andrews negotiations." What conduct is this Peter? Is this where Ian Paisley had secret meetings with Tony Blair to which Peter is unhappy. Is this the same place Ian Paisley Jr was negiotation on behalf off his constituency not his party? Remember the shopping list. Just on an after thought. Was Seymour Sweeney present at the DUP conference today?????

With regards Policing and Justice I am now convinced it will not happen until at least after the next General election. Peter stated "I cannot guarantee the future of the Assembly but I can guarantee that it will not be the DUP that will walk away." Is Peter now accepting that he will not deliver within Sinn Feins time frame. Does Peter realise now that Sinn Fein may want early elections next year? On Thursday night on Hearts and Minds and today Peter will not say if he will serve as a deputy to McGuinness.

Did anyone else notice the position off the seating on the stage? The hardliners (Willie - my stomach is better now) McCrea, Iris Robinson, Gregory Campbell and David Simpson) were all within shot off the camera. It was strange to see Ian Paisley senior and junior and Edwin Poots out off the way. I wonder why!!

What was also interesting to note is that Ian McCrea was sitting on the front row. Do the DUP not want to be associated of the comments of Ian who said he opposed the pope comning to Ireland?

In other speeches Iris said that "There is excess fat in the (health) system". I think that this was more political spin than the truth.
David (grubber) Simpson said that the DUP are "helping small local businesses by cutting back red tape and reducing overheads." Maybe he shold show them how it is done by ending double jobbing and the farce on the hill.

At every conference someone always says that the party has a had a good conference. When was the last time any party had a bad one?

Stormontspy
Pressing ahead? 12:48pm on 20 Nov 2009 Spinspamspun,

Thanks for your kind words!!!

I did see Alasdair on TV. I agree that he was poor but so is Margaret Ritchie. Margaret wants unionists to trust her as she tries to lead them to a united Ireland. If this is the best the SDLP have then they are surely finished.

I thought the Campbell/McNarry debate was brilliant. Best TV moment of the year!!

Do you not think that Allister has given the DUP a big kick up the back side? The DUP are not divided over near enough every issue as Allister is lurking in the shadows....

DisgustedinDerry,

That is a good point you made. Is the DUP now the Peter Robinson Party? The DUP has 36 MLA's. Where are they?

It would have been nice to see or hear someone else. Maybe Nigel Dodds could have described how the compensation from Libya was coming along. Maybe not after all Peter is not allowed to give Nigel official support as his deputy is stopping him.

What about wee Jeffrey? It would have been nice to hear him on the Full Time Reserve. Is it a deal breaker or not?

What about Alex Easton? It would be good to know if South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has cancelled the Ravara House staff and carers Christmas party.

It would also be nice to hear from Gregory. Maybe he could clear up finally who owns his constituency office. In fact if he would declare it for once and for all I will make a donation to Pudsey and Children in Need.

Stormontspy
Pressing ahead? 7:22pm on 19 Nov 2009 Mark,

Having just read this DUP document I think the DUP are in denial. The DUP state that with Devolution there is Political Stability and Economic Stability. Is there really? The folks on the hill are underachieving, the economy is up the left and the dissidents are on the increase.

The DUP are saying -

DUP Ministers driving the agenda in Executive - Are they really? Are they responsible for messing up the 11+ transfer test?

DUP control over vital decisions by nationalist / republican Ministers - Who held a 5 month protest last year? Who refused to let the Executive meet for 5 months? DUP... No it was Sinn Fein

Grammar schools and academic selection preserved - Is it? The 11+ is done away with and no school teacher or pupil knows what is going to happen. If the DUP preserved it maybe they should let us know....

Extension of Free Public Transport to those over 60 - I think this was actually achieved by Conor Murphy. Last year the DUP tried to stop it but was overruled by the non DUP members of the Executive.

Introduction of Free Prescriptions - Correct me if I am wrong but wasn't Michael McGimpsey the one who found efficiency savings to provide the funding.

No Irish language Act - The DUP should not boast about this otherwise they could be dwindling their thumbs for another 5 months...

Rapid action for flood victims - This only happened because it was in Peter Robinson's own constituency. What happened if it had of happened in West Belfast??

Blocked Direct Rule plans to force us to pay twice for water - Was this not a joint decision by DUP/Sinn Fein. Everyone knows that water charges are coming. Much like Jim Allister denting the number of DUP seats!!

Devolution of policing and justice on DUP terms and when DUP decides - Oh dear. Prepare for an early election. Sinn Fein will not be happy when they hear this.

The last thing to mention is the DUP's line - "Provisional IRA’s terrorist campaign is over". Maybe a representative from the DUP would like to tell us whether they stand by that. Who killed Paul Quinn? Who is training members of the dissident terrorists?

Answers on a post card.

Stormontspy
Our Next First Minister 12:55pm on 18 Nov 2009 Mark,

I think the interview on Monday from Alasdair on Monday was quite poor for a number of reasons.

1. On the issue of the SDLP leadership contest he dismissed a leak SDLP report that Ritchie was in front 27-13. Is reason was that branches split their vote. Pure tripe in my opinion. It does not say much when McDonnell's own branch votes for Ritchie.

2. On the issue of votes if all recent trends are followed the SDLP will lose more ground to Sinn Fein. What are the SDLP doing to try and reinvent itself? It appears to be nothing. Also anyone disillusioned with Sinn Fein is hardly going to vote SDLP as they are part of the failing Executive.

3. Anyone watching Stormont Live including your Mark, found it comical the argument between Gregory Campbell and David McNarry. Are these two parties really going to form any alliance?

Stormontspy
End confidential donations? 9:59pm on 17 Nov 2009 JPSLotus79,

How could I forget the RPA? No doubt it will be swept under the carpet too!!

Susie,

You are right too. The list does go on...

The list has now been revised with the above and some more of my own -

1. Maze Site
2. Policing and Justice Powers
3. Poverty Action Plan
4. Child Poverty
5. Modernisation Programmes
6. Mental Health Support
7. Clostridium Difficile / Hospital infections
8. Northern Ireland Water
9. Traffic Calming Measures
10. Road Infrastructure
11. Housing Executive
12. Social Housing Projects
13. Fuel Duty
14. Anti-Social Behaviour
15. Transfer Test
16. £370m savings
17. Bain report
18. Cohesion, Shared, Integration document
19. Too many MLA's
20. Too many Government departments
21. Back pay for lower grade Civil Servants
22. Fiddling of expenses
23. Abuse of children by religious organisations of all persuasions
24. Review of Public Administration
25. Presbyterian Mutual Society
26. Compensation from Libyan Government
27. Definition of a victim
28. Irish Language bill

Susie, last but not least as you put it so correctly -

FAILURE TO GOVERN THE BLOODY COUNTRY!

Stormontspy
End confidential donations? 7:18pm on 16 Nov 2009 Mark,

I think it is only fair people who contribute to political parties should have it declared. Most people who give money to parties only do so as it is in their own interests. It must be transparent to ensure no special favours are done for them.

On the interests of confidentiality Peter Robinson has already demonstrated that he can't hold his water. After all he declared the current Executive has cleared 451 items. These are all small items. What about the big items that the Executive cannot agree on -

1. Maze Site
2. Policing and Justice Powers
3. Poverty Action Plan
4. Child Poverty
5. Modernisation Programmes
6. Mental Health Support
7. Clostridium Difficile / Hospital infections
8. Northern Ireland Water
9. Traffic Calming Measures
10. Road Infrastructure
11. Housing Executive
12. Social Housing Projects
13. Fuel Duty
14. Anti-Social Behaviour
15. Transfer Test
16. £370m savings
17. Bain report
18. Cohesion, Shared, Integration document
19. Too many MLA's
20. Too many Government departments

If I have missed any please let me know.

Stormontspy
Chilli Sauce For Peter? 6:52pm on 16 Nov 2009 Mark,

I knew Gerry was a butcher but not in the way the magazine lists it.

Stormontspy
Gerrymandering in Dunmurry? 3:04pm on 15 Nov 2009 Susie,

Of course gerrymandering is illegal but as you told me, since 1998 the Good Friday Agreement changed everything. Before that generally criminals were locked up. Today they are running the country. I am sure this issue and every other boils down to either money or orange and green.

Stormontspy

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