Gagged
Most of the chat before today's Executive meeting didn't focus on the policies under discussion - affordable housing, a review of the longstanding Review of Public Administration and so on. Instead questions and answers concentrated on whether the Executive would or wouldn't make statements after its meetings. It did last time it met, when Messrs Paisley, McGuinness, Robinson and Murphy talked about water charges. But some sources indicate that from now on it wants to tell the Assembly first about any decisions it is making, which would mean keeping shtum until Monday or Tuesday.
That said various ministers, such as Margaret Ritchie, Sir Reg Empey and Peter Robinson denied that they were under any gagging order.
A few points arise - if there is any really hot piece of news does anyone really think it will stay under wraps from Thursday evening until Monday afternoon? Also, in this day and age why does telling the legislators first mean waiting until the Assembly chamber actually sits? Have our MLAs not got e-mail accounts?
UPDATE: When the Executive ended Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness did speak to the press...so that gag didn't last too long...
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Does the Assembly not sit on Thursdays or Fridays? What is wrong with the dynamic duo taking questions after the meet from MLAs?
Mark
So the Deputy First Minister is being permitted to make gagging orders. My my, bring back the good old days.
Bill
Carryduff