February, 2021

We have a National Health Service We have a National Education Service We have a Regional Police Service  If a hospital fails to discharge its duties in full compliance with national guidelines, or falls below a national standard level acceptable to the mandarins in the health service and the local population, then it is brought […]

There’s a saying that’s been applied here in NEI over the decades: every time unionism gets up from the table, kicking over its chair and storming off to mount a do-or-die protest, it returns to the table weaker than when it left.  This is a generalisation and like most generalisations, there are exceptions. But by […]

Below is the text of my letter to the Irish Times. By way of explanation I contacted NTMA so I know this could work! NTMA work with government and finance raised goes to central government fund, therefore it only requires government commitment to raise specific fund for the specific tasks in the letter. As the […]

B There’s hardly a day goes by nowadays when one doesn’t pick up a newspaper or view some online publication without reading the comments or tweets of some celebrity writer, movie star, former or current senior politician, renowned economist, university professor, or just a trend-following journalist, who’s engaged with the hot topic of a future […]

An earlier version of this review first appeared in the Andersonstown News Tommie Gorman is hanging up his microphone. After decades of reporting from the north for RTÉ, he’s retiring to his home town of Sligo. Two Saturdays ago, Ryan Tubridy had him as guest on THE LATE LATE SHOW (RTÉ) and talked to him […]

How badly have the PSNI dented their image, after that clash with  residents commemorating those who died in the Sean Graham    bookie’s attack? And has Gregory Campbell shown the dark underbelly of the DUP with his critical comments on the all-black Songs of Praise gospel singing? According to the Irish Times today, Micheál Martin and 16 other FF TDs have announced that they would be prepared to talk about coalition  with ANY party post-the next election.  Has Micheál been struck by a bolt of lighning and  fallen from his horse? And is a real Labour Party in Britain likely to be led by a knight of the  realm? Pat and I take out each item and chop it into very small little bits… Press the Play button…

For the late Brian Lenihan Sr (FF),  “mature recollection” persuaded him to change his story about phoning President Hillery –  but it was too late. Apparently a shoe-in, Lenihan never did get to occupy Arás an Uachtarán.  Micheál Martin (FF) seems to have been doing some mature recollection regarding Sinn Féin. But is it too […]

In the ongoing debate on whether or not the island of Ireland should end partition and reunify, the pro-British minority on the island, constantly refer to a lowering of living standards for the residents of the North and an end to free medical care, should the island of Ireland become a nation once again. The […]

Since Joe Biden took office as President I’ve been impressed by the speeches he’s given, quoting the Declaration of Independence, and Abe Lincoln amongst others in well-constructed pieces beautifully delivered. Joe’s been a long time in politics and he’s nearly as old as myself. Abraham Lincolnwas a mere stripling of 56 when he was shot […]

This blog first appeared as a column in The Andersonstown News. You could call it quiet satisfaction or you could call it unholy glee, but British politicians and commentators have climbed onto their moral high horses when the EU had to do a handbrake-turn over a suggested vaccine check between the south of Ireland and […]