Another "dig out"
Observers of the Mahon tribunal will know that Bertie Ahern is well acquainted with the concept of a "dig out". He had come by large sums of cash, he explained, because his friends had been keen to dig him out when he hit marital and financial difficulties.
So it's good to see that Bertie is ready to do a similar favour. He appeared at an SDLP business breakfast at the Carrickdale hotel this morning speaking on the topic of an all Ireland economy.
But with the tables costing 600 euros, my spies tell me that some of the proceeds will go towards the "SDLP 5", Newry councillors fined after blocking victims campaigner Willie Frazer from using a council run community centre in Newtownhamilton. The actions of 17 SDLP and Sinn Fein councillors drew fire from the local government auditor. But at least some of them got a good breakfast this morning.
I'm 
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Mark, i appreciate that investigative journalism is new to you so i will take this oppurtunity to provide you with some facts that you are clearly unaware of.
1. If you had taken the oppurtunity to read the ruling, concerning the 'SDLP 5' you would have discovered that they have never been fined.
2. The figure quoted above for the cost of a table is factually incorrect.
3. Contrary to the medias increasingly cynical beliefs, party political funding is not an illegal exercise.
I know that it is difficult to gather information without the use of a freedom of information application but i would advise you to check your sources before voicing your opinion.
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Mark
SDLP’S POLITICAL ANTENNAE IN URGENT NEED OF REPAIR
There is nothing wrong in the SDLP being in discussion with Fianna Fail about a possible merger of the two Parties. In a fast-changing political landscape all avenues of potential development are worth exploration. In general, the SDLP deserves praise for the initiative. But, and it’s a very big BUT, why on earth is Shyster Bertie Ahern being given centre-stage in these discussions? Is Mark Durkan suffering from political Alzheimer’s? For goodness sake, it’s barely a month since Ahern was forced out of office by disclosures at the Mahon Tribunal. He is due another grilling from Mahon in May and there is a very good chance that further evidence emanating from the tribunal will seal Ahern’s legacy as the scoundrel I believe him to be.
So, my advice to Mark Durkan is to give Ahern a wide berth in taking forward merger discussions. He should only deal with people of integrity in Fianna Fail. There again, that could be a tricky enough task in itself.
Susie
Carryduff
19 April, 2008
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honestCiaran,
How much was a table then?
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jazzone,
The cost of a table was actually 750 euros, its simple multiplication, 10 times 75 equals 750.
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It is interesting to see that someone else thinks that investigative journalism is new to you!!!
Who are the SDLP to seek advice from Bertie Ahern? Although Bertie is now in the decline and so is the SDLP. I give them 20 years before they wind up as more and more they represent very few and for the few they represent they don’t do anything for them. People like Dr McDonnell should go back to the day job as they are only wasting their time in Stormont. On the 26th March in the oral answers in parliament in Westminster this guy raised a question to Paul Goggins asking "Will the Minister give an estimate of the number of women in prison in Northern Ireland for defaulting on the television licence?" My answer is who cares. If the DSD docked the money from their benefits job done but no you can’t do that due to their human rights. Why doesn’t Doctor do little do more about anti social behaviour and the housing situation in South Belfast? Answer he doesn’t know how.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Let's face. The SDLP's days as a competitor for the nationalist vote are numbered. As we enter a phase of credit crunches and belt-tightening, our economic hopes rest in subsidies; from the EU, US, London and Dublin. The international community are not going to let their 'becon of hope' in regards to deeply, divided societies collapse amidst economic stagnation. Much 'common sense' policies lie within an island wide approach. An island this small doesn't have room for competing states. As the 'war' is over, the soilders of oppertunism are moving north. It's a mutually beneficial move by both parties, but let's not pretend it's anything it's not. For Fianna Fail, it's about strenthening and consolidating. For the SDLP it's about survival.
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Hi Mark
The SDLP would not be in decline as some people are saying if they were to take the the same steps as other parties are taken at this time and replace Mark Durkan with some one with more life. When he is on talking he would put you to sleep maybe it is time for a women with a bit of fight and maybe they would not have to run to Dublin for help
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The whole island has changed enormasly in the last ten years and political climate also has changed with it. The SDLP have been left behind with its rather dull leader Mark Durkin. A change of leadership is what is required to get the party back on its feet. Things are not going to change cosying up to Bertie Ahern and fianna fail. The biggest challenge for the SDLP is to wash their hands of the leader and get someone in Fresh and new that can convince people to vote for them again.
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The money from this breakfast will go towards the legal fees of the councillors from the sdlp - and rightly so - it should be commented that Bertie and FF have been more of a help in this thanthe leadership of the party - it is bad to have falling support - but when the party is split in three as how to proceed it is worrying - join FF - Down/armagh tyrone/fermanagh - join labour party derry- stay as they are - antrim - it is vital the party get strong leadership to move us forward at this time - will brian cowen provide it
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--Stormtroopers and Green Goddesses--
I wanted to post this under the above title but I was denied.
In the Assembly on the 15th April MLA's talked about the new Performance, Efficiency and Delivery Unit set up by Peter Robinson and his department as well as a debate on private finance initiatives. It is interesting to see Peter say that "other departments shouldn't regard them as stormtroopers out to cause havoc". Sure we know PEDU won't but I am sure Peter will. Peter says through his statement "Some people might consider a PEDU review as a threat. Let me be clear; the only threat will be to inefficiency and poor performance" and "The creation of the performance and efficiency delivery unit provides a clear signal that this is our priority and our ambition for the future". When Iris Robinson took to the floor she said "I also welcome the Minister’s statement. One issue to consider is that old habits die hard in the Civil Service and in Departments. That is particularly the case in the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety where, as I am sure the Minister knows, several efficiency savings regarding Health Service staff must be made. There is a mentality of empire building in the way in which Departments are managed. What can PEDU do to help break that mindset — if that terminology is appropriate — to allow for appropriate staffing in the Health Service and to ensure that it is staffed by front-line professionals rather than by management?" It is clear the Robinsons are keen to leave a mark on Stormont by breaking up the civil service and any department or group that gets taxpayers money. I feel PEDU is trying to break everything down in to cost and efficiency. I believe 1 year on that the Executive is still inefficient. What yet has been achieved? People like the Robinsons can talk the talk but they can’t walk the walk. Let us see results Peter. Or have you the Civil Service bug of doing nothing all day but lie over desks dreaming off smoke breaks and talk about what’s happening in the world in relation to sport, entertainment and about the inefficient managers.
On the topic of PFI it was staggering to learn how PFI has failed. PFI is one way of drawing in private investment to help fund large capital projects. The Government then repay their private partners — the investors — usually over a period of 25 to 30 years even if circumstances change for example falling enrolments in schools or school closures. If this happens the repayments must continue. Examples were PFI has gone wrong are -
1. Royal Victoria Hospital in West Belfast where the car park has already paid for itself through charges to visitors and patients, yet the private developer still benefits from current and future profits.
2. Edinburgh Royal Infirmary was costed at £180 million for a Government-financed build. However under PFI the build was calculated to cost £990 million. That hospital has already lost 200 beds and 890 staff.
3. University Hospital Coventry was told that it would have to lose 25% of its beds and 20% of its staff in order to make the profits needed for PFI payments. Therefore two operating theatres and 60 beds were closed, 45 more earmarked for closure, and 250 staff are being laid off — all in an effort to pay the rent.
4. Balmoral High School was build under PFI. 4 years later it was closed down as numbers dwindled away.
Why is the Government keen then to introduce PFI into the civil service and other large projects? If Peter Robinson was half as clever as he thought he wouldn’t be pushing ahead with PFI.
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I wonder if the SDLP ever regret the day John Hume brought Gerry Adams on board and made him a respectable entity? The story of the camel in the tent with the arab ending outside. I did hear an SDLP member say that Hume was more republican than nationalist and never cared one thing about unionists. I wonder if any Ulster Unionists who cuddled up to the DUP ever regret that day? Some go nowhere now and some have joined TUV. One historical mystery is Jeffrey and Arlene especially Jeffrey who paced the UUP platform in front of Trimble telling how he kept the DUP down in his area. That was when the DUP was more militant than it is now. I wonder how many of the 45% who stayed loyal to them in the conflict ever regret their committment? I wonder how many party workers of all parties in the battle ever regret their committment to leaders who simply used their backs to get into power and feather their own nests? I guess there is a common experience shared by humans admidst the divide.
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