No phoenix, just ashes
The multi sports stadium was due to to rise from the ashes of the Maze jail as a symbol if a new Northern Ireland. But as my colleague Gareth Gordon revealed that direct rule dream has now been laid to rest by the Culture Minister Gregory Campbell. Will his plan to fund sports venues separately go smoothly, or run into objections from Sinn Fein and the GAA?
I'm just back from the Stormont Executive which didn't agree to put the minister's Maze paper on its agenda. Mr Campbell arrived without commenting on the stadium, then left early for a Rally Ireland event in Enniskillen. So no olympic soccer then but not to worry because Fermanagh is the new Monaco (if the Culture Department's news releases are to be believed).
Executive ministers could give master classes in how not to discuss pressing matters. This afternoon they also declined to consider or vote on Caitriona Ruane's latest proposals on replacing the eleven plus.
There are some minor modifications, such as giving "looked after children" first priority and confirming the minister's plan for schools to meet a quota of children entitled to free school meals. But in truth the minister's paper is mainly a reiteration of her previous offer of a three year phase out for academic selection.
Emerging from the Executive, Ms Ruane accused the DUP of blocking her proposals and vowed not to bring forward any new initiative. Instead she says she will have discussions with her officials and act decisively in the days ahead. That sounds like code for issuing guidelines which will not be as binding as any legal regulations approved by the Executive.
With the majority of grammar schools already making preparations for go it alone tests, this afternoon felt like the beginning of an "unregulated regime" for post primary transfer. Whichever side of the argument over academic selection you take, it's a worrying prospect: potential educational anarchy and pupils and teachers being used as political pawns.
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