Irish Political News

Rumours have been circulating for some time that the end of Ian Paisley's political career was nigh, and today we got confirmation from the horse's mouth that indeed the DUP leader is to resign from the office of First Minister and from the position of head of his party.

It's not really any surprise that the comments from some quarters have practically ignored the decades of frustration that Paisley caused for democrats in the north of this country. Indeed, Martin McGuinness led tributes to the North Antrim MP, offering such glowing references that one would almost think that Sinn Féin are to write to the Pope asking that Paisley be considered for beatification. Perhaps it suits all concerned to airbrush out the full horrors of the past.

There are also those who are congratulating Paisley for delivering powersharing- the fact is that powersharing could have been delivered many times over. It was Paisley himself and his accolytes who delayed progress in the first place and prevented powersharing from happening for so long, so it doesn't really make any sense to thank him for catching himself on and letting democracy finally embed (conveniently when he had reached the top of the greasy pole). We shouldn't give praise and thank Paisley for finally deciding that nationalists had a right to play a role in the governance of the north- he was just catching up with the rest of society, and seriously late at that.

Of course though it would be churlish to ignore Paisley's recent metanoia, but I think the Alliance Party leader David Ford summed up Paisley's career well when he said today: "History will judge whether Ian Paisley will be remembered for 40 years of saying no or one year of saying probably. Many will say his road to Damascus conversion came 35 years too late. The achievements of the executive since last May have been modest in the extreme."

If Paisley had departed politics three decades ago, would we in any worse of a state than we are now? I think not.

If the Chuckle Brother routine is indeed genuine, isn't it a damn pity that Paisley wasn't so magnanimous in the past when others attempted to build powersharing? How many innocent people have died thanks to decades of hate-filled words spurring idiots on to engage in terrorism, be they loyalist or republican?

Some ordinary folk may be shedding a tear tonight- not for the bilious oaf who did everything in his power to prevent powersharing for decades, but for the people who died in the needlessly prolonged conflict here.

The end of Paisley's political career is near. I don't do whitewashing or rewriting of history, and as such I can firmly say that for me it isn't a minute too soon.

Adios.

DUP leader Ian Paisley has announced that he is to resign his position at the head of his party and as First Minister in May.

He is to remain on as an MLA and MP for North Antrim.

More to follow...

The SDLP, having weighed up what was on offer in the budget against its serious shortcomings, voted against it- fair play to them. Margaret Ritchie stood firm in the face of the DUP/ SF axis bullying tactics and managed to squeeze extra money from them for much-needed social housing. However, it remains an essentially right-wing, anti-community budget. There is of course the lack of detail on water reform and education, and by the recent performance of Nigel Dodds with regard to the abolition of relief for the installation of energy efficient measures, the two big parties cannot be trusted to deliver unless they spell out exactly what they are intending to do.

Some people don't seem to be able to get their heads around the concept that the SDLP are in the Executive as a right, not because they have agreed on a way forward with the DUP and Sinn Féin. This isn't like the situation in the Republic where parties coalesce voluntarily because they agree on a way forward. The SDLP has a democratic mandate to oppose anything they wish to oppose in the Executive.

Technically Margaret Ritchie had to vote in favour of the budget, but the wider party is not bound by these rules and has every right to oppose the budget. That does not undermine its right to be in the Executive- they have a mandate and right to use any Executive seat they have in any way they see fit, as the other parties also can do. Likewise with their party vote in the Assembly. There is nothing morally or legally to say they have to dance to the tune of the DUP/ Sinn Féin axis.

There are some, including the perennially self-righteous Alliance Party, who say the SDLP should quit the Executive. Quitting would be contravening the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement which the SDLP framed. This is about powersharing and scrutiny, not leaving the lunatics in charge of the asylum unchecked.

And then there are those who say that the SDLP should back the budget and every other DUP/ SF point-of-view because they share Executive membership with them. This would essentially mean that the SDLP would have to support the budget even if they disagreed with it. That would be anti-democratic.

There are also those who argue that the SDLP should quit the Executive and form an opposition (a position not provided for in the GFA and which is anti-powersharing and has no legal basis). That would be tantamount to the Westminster-style set-up of the old Stormont regime.

No, the SDLP should remain in the Executive as the guardian of the rights and needs of the people. So what if it has to vote against Executive decisions? If it means standing up for what is right, then so be it.

I must apologise for my irregular appearances on the blog of late- a new computer is winging its way to Áras an Bhlogador so with any luck my contributions will resume a somewhat more orderly rate of publication. As it transpires, Pól has been keeping a steady hand at the helm, guiding El Blogador safely away from being dashed on the iceberg of irrelevance.

Today saw the current Assembly's first budget. After all the wrangling of recent months over who was getting what from the proverbial purse, Margaret Ritchie's department emerged as the 'victor', which in effect means that the people in our society who need help to get a headstart in life are the victors.

Despite being bullied and harrangued by the DUP/ Sinn Féin axis, Margaret has stood firm on a range of issues such as the withdrawing of funding to loyalist-linked projects and protesting against the meagre offerings presented to her by the laughably right-wing draft budget.

They attempted to force her to back down. They attempted to corner her into accepting a budget which would have meant an unfair deal for the people in society who need the most help. They failed.

Today, Margaret Ritchie has been vindicated.

Two-hundred million pounds will be directed into the Department of Social Development bank account to enable it to meet housing targets over the next three years. The result will be the construction of 1,500 new abodes in year one, following by 1,750 in year two and a further 2,000 homes in year three.

Margaret said she was pleased with the money being allocated for social housing: "In respect of social and affordable housing, I think this has been a good day for the people of Northern Ireland and a good budget deal for housing."

Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist Minister Michael McGimpsey has been given more flexibility over his health budget. His financial allocation also includes a much-needed injection of £10m a year for mental health provision.

It just goes to prove- standing up for what you believe in, even in the face of dictatorial opposition, can deliver results. Keep up the good work!