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Lucky someone told him

Mark Devenport | 10:46 UK time, Thursday, 20 September 2007

Tuesday's morning's Newsletter quoted the independent MEP Jim Allister as saying he knew nothing about a private and confidential meeting to discuss options available in the present political situation. But when the meeting took place in Moygashel Orange Hall last night Mr Allister appeared as a key player and read out a statement to waiting reporters. Lucky someone told him about the meeting at the last minute, then...

Martina Purdy tells me that one of the attendees, Walter Millar, referred to the Education Minister as "Caitriona Ruin". I'm not sure whether this was deliberate or not, but it could catch on.

°ä´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²õÌýÌý Post your comment

  • 1.
  • At 01:48 PM on 20 Sep 2007,
  • Jon Mitchel wrote:

Nice one "Walter", your disrespect for Ms. Ruane is evidence that some still have a long way yet to go in Northern Ireland politics.

  • 2.
  • At 07:21 PM on 20 Sep 2007,
  • Martin wrote:

Mark,

I think this whole saga stinks. COMMENT EDITED Secondly why have a meeting that is aimed at bringing back disruption and going back to the dark days of Northern Ireland in an Orange Hall? Surely the Orange Order should step in and bar this. After all the bible says "love thy neighbour" and "forgive those that have sinned". In that case why is this happening? If the Orange Order want to gain respect well surely dealing with this issue would be a start.
Maybe Jim Allister is hoping to gain some friends and plaudits out of all of this but let me tell you this he wont. Jim and his gang say say that the DUP leead the electorate up a garden path how foolish are they. Ian Paisley stood last October in St. Andrews and basically said this is it. If Sinn Fein support Policing we will go into Government. Sinn Fein has delivered on this. This was signified when Gerry Adams met Sir Hugh Orde in West Belfast. Can Jim Allister not see all this. After all Jim are you a lawyer?
I put this to Jim Allister and all his Anti Unionist colleagues do you want peace in this country or not? Is it better to shout in the chamber of Stormont or for the innocent people to be shot in the street? Jim over to you.

"Tuesday's morning's Newsletter quoted the independent MEP Jim Allister as saying he knew nothing about a private and confidential meeting to discuss options available in the present political situation."

Mr Allister was asked about a meeting which was (supposedly) to be held in another part of the Province. He, correctly, said that he didn't know of such a meeting.

"I put this to Jim Allister and all his Anti Unionist colleagues do you want peace in this country or not? Is it better to shout in the chamber of Stormont or for the innocent people to be shot in the street? Jim over to you."

As someone who was there and works in Mr Allister's office perhaps I could address your question.

Who were the people who went arounf killing others on our streets? Are they not the very people who are in government?

Yes, we do want peace but not at the cost of democracy. Mandatory coalition is utterly undemocratic. It guarantees every sizeable party a place in government for ever, with no Opposition. Thus, the people can never vote a party out of government. The d’Hondt system, which is not used anywhere else in the world as a means of forming a government.

Secondly, if you as a victim of the IRA write to the First Minister on an OFMDFM issue(and remember, they have responsibility for victims' issues), McGuinness must see your letter.

These two reasons are, in my opinion, reason enough to oppose the process.

  • 5.
  • At 10:20 PM on 27 Sep 2007,
  • Martin wrote:

I note Mr Sammy Morrisons comments posted on the 24th September. For me there is still no peaceful solution offered.
Moving on I am still puzzled as to why Mr Allister denied he was going to such a meeting. Mr Sammy Morrison previously quotes " Mr Allister was asked about a meeting which was (supposedly) to be held in another part of the Province. He, correctly, said that he didn't know of such a meeting." If he didnt know of such a meeting then how and whay was he at it? Also why have this meeting in an Orange Hall? Surely religious areas are places to promote peace. Not bring Northern Ireland back 40 years.

  • 6.
  • At 01:25 PM on 30 Sep 2007,
  • Martin wrote:

I note Mr Sammy Morrisons comments posted on the 24th September. For me there is still no peaceful solution offered.
Moving on I am still puzzled as to why Mr Allister denied he was going to such a meeting. Mr Sammy Morrison previously quotes " Mr Allister was asked about a meeting which was (supposedly) to be held in another part of the Province. He, correctly, said that he didn't know of such a meeting." If he didnt know of such a meeting then how and whay was he at it? Also why have this meeting in an Orange Hall? Surely religious areas are places to promote peace. Not bring Northern Ireland back 40 years.

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