A Long Lunch
MLAs had been due to debate health matters today, with the DUP proposing two motions critical of the Ulster Unionist Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. However both had to be dropped at short notice as the minister had more urgent business - a video conference with Downing Street and his counterparts elsewhere in the UK on the threat of "swine flu".
Proceedings were therefore curtailed this morning after an Agriculture statement from Michelle Gildernew, with MLAs breaking for an early lunch about 11.30 am. Not before, however, the Deputy Speaker David McClarty got into a spot of bother with the DUP and Sinn Fein. Edwin Poots accused Mr McClarty of discriminating against him because he had not called the Lagan Valley MLA to speak even though he had made it into the chamber just as Ms Gildernew was drawing to a close.
With Sinn Fein also weighing in, the row boiled down to whether an MLA had to be present for a "substantial part" of a minister's statement or just a "part". The matter will be passed on to the Speaker for his judgement.
Over at the Electoral Office, near St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast, the European campaign is now officially up and running with a number of the candidates handing in their nomination papers. Over the next few weeks we shall be hearing much more about Steven Agnew of the Greens, Jim Allister of the TUV, Bairbre De Brun of Sinn Fein, Diane Dodds of the DUP, Alban Maginness of the SDLP, Jim Nicholson of the Ulster Conservative and Unionist New Force and Ian Parsley of Alliance. Who will top the poll? Who will retain their seat? Will Colin Duffy's name be added to the ballot paper?
UCUNF have settled on "Conservatives and Unionists" as a short hand description. Which may be just as well as they wouldn't want to get confused with any of the "New Forces" which have previously surfaced elsewhere in Europe.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~35~RS~)
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An MLA should be the Assembly for the statement if they want to speak on the topic being raised. To turn up to any meeting, let alone a sitting of the assembly, and expect to speak after just arriving a few minutes before the end is just rude and stupid.
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Conservatives and Unionists was always going to be the name, I suspect a dinosaur in the UU side of the committee wanted to retain the word Ulster as some sort of tribal, breast beating thing.
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Long lunch
Does it really matter as they only talked a load off waffle and wee Basil nearly took the roof off in his condemnation off R.P.A.
What we should be striving for is the total abandonment off local councils as they provide very little and cost a fortune
However no suprie in the.U.u.P. joining the Cameron crew as they are all yuppies anyway
Perhaps Mr Elliot Fernanagh South Tyrone shild tell us how many and what is the total cost off the subs given to him as a farmer ?
me thinks not
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Serious stuff then.
I have been doing some checking on the EU MEP's elections.
Not much choice then.
As I see the EU superstate as something I could never vote for it leaves me with no choice.
I will not vote, I just have to hope there will be someone to vote for the next time.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
BREAKING NEWS
Following on from our blogging success in the 2007 NI Assembly Elections, 'The Craic party' is back! We will be launching our manifesto shortly. Like all the other parties, we will be making no promises that we can't keep - which means we will be making no promises at all! We do promise to vigorously criticise all the other EU party candidates who offer dripple and tripe.
Watch this space and let's have fun.
The Craic Party
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Pandora
Im sure you have noticed that in countries were there are coalition governments when an election comes around these parties who worked together in the coalition government fight each other in the election and each of them wish to come out top in the results. So why any different in Ulster im sure if any of the parties or voices standing were asked would you like to top the pole the answer would be yes.
LisburnDUP supporter
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LisburnDUP supporter
My understanding is that election to the EU is for representation to a parliament, not to form a government. The EU, predominately socialist, elected members only vote on legislation. The formulation and introduction of proposed legislation is the responsibility of the Council and Commission, Commissioners being appointed by the several member states. It is under the assent procedure (right to veto) that the parliament exercises its vote.
In the referendum to join the then EEC the DUP, led by Ian Paisley, was against joining and indeed the voters declared a majority against. In 1973 the UK joined, along with Republic of Ireland.
Dr Paisley with convoluted logic changed his mind as he realised the likelihood of being elected. Principles can dissolve quite quickly when power and money are up for grabs - the DUP seems to have the measure on the latter.
Cheers!
Pandora
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My comment 5 was passed by the moderators on 29 April at 8.43pm, then removed on 1 May at 15.07 having broken the rules. The redactions to my original entry have been made by me in order to comply with the rules:
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER COALITION?
The DUP's Diane Dodds, with treadmill regularity, like some Orwellian loud speaker, drones on and on and ........ on about how the DUP must top the poll and out-do Sinn Fein in the EU election.
Has the shoulder-to-shoulder Sinn Fein/DUP coalition been temporarily suspended to accommodate the sectarian vote? Surely even the unionists by now have had enough of this .......
...................treating the electorate with contempt that in ......terms of maximising the votes and topping the poll matters, in the proportional representation system. I am sure that all the other candidates standing would be only too pleased to be elected and represent Northern Ireland on an equal basis.............
Mrs Dodd's main rival we are told is Mr Jim Alister. By contrast, he talks to and informs the electorate in a non-condescending manner. ......has much to learn from her former DUP colleague and there just isn't enough time.
If I hear..........on television once more about topping the poll, I will demand the return of my licence fee on the grounds of endless and nauseating repeats.
Pandora
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Pandora
DUP DON'T LIKE THE TRUTH
Your Post 5 was spot-on in every respect save one major error to which I shall return shortly.
You were quite right to point up the unprincipled stand of the Dupers in their efforts to come out top in the EU elections. They have no shame. How stomach-turning is it to see Nigel Dodds looking for compensation from Gadaffi when there he is sitting cheek-by-jowl in Stormont with the very people who lit the fuses of the explosives provided by Libya. Not a murmur about seeking recompense from IRA/Sinn Fein.
Back to your error; I thought you gave too high a mark in respect of Diane Dodds's intellectual acumen.
Keep punching!
Susie
Carryduff
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DON'T ASK WHAT THE DUP CAN DO FOR YOU,
BUT WHAT YOU MUST DO FOR THE DUP!
Susie
Thank you for your support. I suspect that my original comment was removed after someone complained to Mark.
Regards
Pandora
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Pan-dora,
I strongly agree with your comments. Remember a couple of weeks ago when the row about expenses came out? The DUP were quick to put out a statement to news organisations but not on their own website regarding that. Here it looks like someone has complained. It happened to me a couple of times regarding Jim Allister.
My advice is to keep at it. No one can silence the truth.
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
Thank you. Taking it a stage further, MLAs like MPs can make whatever scurrilous remarks they choose about members of the pubic under privilege of the House without the threat of counter action - another privilege which in my view should be abolished. Why should any citizen be insulted by elected representatives exercising this privilege?
I intend to 'keep at it' and as Susie said 'keep punching'. I know you will...
Cheers!
Pandora
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ERROR!
My comment at No. 9 where I referred to 'proportional representation system' is perhaps misleading as this system is widely used throughout the member states in EU elections. Northern Ireland uses the 'single transferable vote' (STV).
Pandora
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