Plans A, B and C
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness invited journalists into Stormont Castle this morning for an on the record briefing. Probably the most newsworthy aspect was their revelation that they are looking for three options for addressing the plight of the 10,000 savers at the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
Plan A is a commercial option, with a bank currently conducting "due diligence" on the society's assets. Plan B is described as a "Northern Ireland solution with Treasury support", presumably something similar to Plan A but with a big cheque written by Whitehall. Plan C, the least favoured option, is a "hardship fund" to help out those individuals who have suffered the most because of the loss of their savings.
The ministers stressed that Plan C was not their favoured option, but the fact that it got a mention must raise concerns that Plan A is not making as much headway as the politicians would have hoped.
The FM and DFM expressed optimism that their parades working group would hit the Tuesday deadline for a report on new structures to deal with contentious marches. But they did not commit to publishing that report, indicating only that it would be forwarded to the legal draftsmen and that the public would see any legislation they might produce.
The two ministers once again portrayed their Hillsborough deal as the chance for a fresh start. Mr McGuinnness said "Peter and I are prepared to work together. We have had difficulties in the past. As far as I am concerned they are in the past." Mr Robinson added "We would be the first to put our hands up and say the issue of policing and justice has been toxic in OFMDFM (the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister).
It has held back a lot of other work."
Questioned about plans for a US Investment conference, Mr Robinson said this needed to be properly prepared and may go ahead in the autumn. Gordon Brown referred to this happening in the spring during his Hillsborough news conference, but subsequently the NIO clarified that he had misspoken and had simply been referring to the traditional St. Patrick's Day visit to Washington. However it now seems that a conference of some kind is on track for the autumn.
As I write this the two politicians are giving evidence to a Stormont Committee, repeating a broadly similar message. The feistiest exchange so far came between Peter Robinson and the SDLP's Declan O'Loan who had talked about the Hillsborough deal having "potential" but questioned why the Parades Commission should be replaced. The First Minister responded by telling MLAs that sitting on the sidelines "whinging and gurning" about the agreement is not an option for politicians if they want to unlock the full potential of the deal.
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"The FM and DFM expressed optimism that their parades working group would hit the Tuesday deadline for a report on new structures to deal with contentious marches. But they did not commit to publishing that report, indicating only that it would be forwarded to the legal draftsmen and that the public would see any legislation they might produce."
Great, so how are the public supposed to have confidence in the "Hillsborough Agreement," if they can't see an important part of it? Why would they be so anxious not to let the public see whatever, if anything, emerges from the working group?
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Its interesting that from a stance of non co-operation and deliberate obstruction from the DUP against Sinn Fein, they seem, from the Hillsborough agreement, to be engaging in real politics and seem to be conditioning their people to the changes that are coming. Strange that the DUP never never men have stayed silent when Robinison and McGuinness have went on a charm offensive, promoting the deal that Unionism got nothing really out of. Just what was agreed or imposed or gifted to the DUP at Hillsborough that caused this turn around.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Talking of Plan Bs Mark, perhaps you will ask the DUP why Direct Rule is a clever plan if the Shinners default on parades, but so dastardly when the TUV suggests it.
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poisson_bleu
'The Shinners' will not default on parades as it is a unionist problem. The DUP are trying to secure orange votes. As I said before, the orange order is playing all shades of unionism to ensure their bigoted marches go ahead. Jackie McDonald showed courage today, well saying he doesn't need orange votes to secure his wages. I just hope come bigot fest his members echo his opinion. Let us not forget what happened in Coleraine last summer. All in all his comments are good for the nationalist people of this state as well as everyone else who lives here. If there were no contentious marches in N'Ireland we would all live in peace!!!
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DisgustedinDERRY,
I am sure you will agree with me that the PMS will also be resolved in order to obtain unionist votes....
Stormontspy
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DisgustedinDERRY
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/viewpoint/editors-viewpoint-uda-is-marching-along-a-new-route-14689159.html
Jinkies, common sense indeed from Jackie McDonald. Can this be a foresight of parades progress at last?!
Stormontspy
The PMS story is obviously there as a potential vote grab for the DUP. It will be interesting to see how much news they can make out of this to bury their own negative internal news over the last few months. It is also interesting to see how the DFM is so supportive in all of this, he could have easily stayed clear of it, but instead he seems to be very willing to lend his assistance and show a united front. I am very aware that much of what happens in politics can be for personal gain, but some people seem to be more selfless than others.
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#3 removed. The politically correct BBC Blog Mods at it yet again.
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Patrick 78,
I wonder if the problem was in a catholic church would foster and robinson have been has quick to help?
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
I hope the PMS people get their money or at lest some of it back as I know if it were my money I would want it back. The DUP are obviously looking for votes, poor Reg had the wool pulled over his eyes on that one and he was snapping!!! Good to see Martin McGuinness involved in the talks, he doesn't do things like that for votes, he does it because it's his job - I wonder if Peter and Arlene would be so concerned if it was the Derry Credit Union that had lost its money, me thinks not.
I liked the Hearts And Minds analogy of unionist politics last night - you heard it here first - unionist politicians are a bunch of bitches - school girls they say are the worst form of bullies as the always hold on to grudges and never forget the past.
Onwards and upwards unionism, onwards and upwards.
Again I will say; well done to Jackie McDonald, if we had no contentious parades in N'Ireland we would all live in peace!!!
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Seems as if Arlene is somewhat rattled by the criticsm of her Department in the McFall Report from the Treasury Select Committee.
A political reputation shredded ....just like the dreams of many PMS ivestors who can no longer access their investments.
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Mark:
Saw the 3 plans on the table that are in the works; They seem to be missing one key reality: Reforming of the system that are willing to reform.
(dennis junior)
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Plan zzz !!!
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