Happy New Year
I am hoping to slide away from the office for the next fortnight. However I suppose whether I get to take my holiday may depend, as in previous years, on the news agenda. As things stand, though, I am hoping this blog will go into hibernation until 2009. So I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Earlier today I recorded an interview with Nigel Dodds for tomorrow's Inside Politics. Inevitably the programme is something of a counter blast to Margaret Ritchie's contribution last weekend in which she accused the DUP and Sinn Fein of attempting to bully her over fuel poverty.
Aside from exploring the DUP-SDLP dynamic, I question the Finance Minister about the prospects for the local economy, the UUP/Conservative partnership and the remarks about Bobby Sands by the Education Minister Caitriona Ruane.
I also try a few enquiries regarding the North Belfast MP's possible candidacy in next year's European elections, although his answers seem notable more for what he doesn't say than what he does.
As usual you can hear the programme tomorrow on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio Ulster at 12.45 pm or, subsequently, via the listen again facility.
Tomorrow's programme is the last Inside Politics of 2008. The programme is due back on air on January 10th.
UPDATE: Today is January 5th, and I'm back at work. However several blogs written today have not yet appeared at the time of writing (1700) due to a technical logjam which appears to be holding up all the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's blogs. Hopefully they will materialise soon.
I'm 
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