With the number of local government district set to be cut from the current twenty-six to just eleven in the next couple of years there will be a drop in the number of councillors of about 120. The environment minister … Continue reading up to £35k as severance for NI councillors – DoE consults
Employment for Learning minister, Dr Stephen Farry MLA of the Alliance Party today announced the reappointment of the four members of the Industrial Court. The Industrial Court has its origins in the Industrial Courts Act 1919 and is responsible for the … Continue reading Four members of Industrial Court reappointed by Employment for Learning Minister
“Oi you two! Yes you two holding hands… you’re offending me and my customers. We don’t want your sort here. Please leave.” Perhaps you or someone you know has had this said to you in a bar, or a shop, … Continue reading Oi you two! holding hands, please leave! – new resource to combat discrimination from Equality Commission
Now any observer of flags in Northern Ireland will tell you that there are many variations in the flags that are seen around the Province. But this one, first seen by me on a Facebook page, is a new one even for me. It is placed on a page somewhat dedicated to so-called Loyalism that appears to have sprung up following the decision by Belfast City Council to fly the Union Flag from City Hall on the designated Flag-flying Days. Most of these pages want to see the Union Flag replaced, that is hoisted once more on City Hall, not … Continue reading Is St Patrick to be expunged from Union Flag?
My thoughts and prayers are with all Alliance Party representative and their staff at this difficult time following the decision by Belfast City Council to fly the Union Flag on designated days. Reports are coming in this evening that a constituency office for Stewart Dickson MLA, the Alliance representative for East Antrim has been set on fire. According to the BBC the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are at the scene. As with the protest yesterday that forced Naomi Long MP‘s office to close early, all that these actions will do will be to stop local people from getting … Continue reading Violence and fire-lighting is not the way forward
The healing tongue: Irish learners in Belfast finding common heritage and common ground. Continue reading The healing tongue: Irish learners in Belfast finding common heritage and common ground
PA MagLochlainn’s funeral mass will be in Dungiven at 10am on Saturday. Belfast people can pay their respects in O’Kane’s funeral parlour from 3pm today. Suggestion is allow the family to be there first and gather after 4. The top bar in Union Street has been opened by Andre Graham to allow people to gather there. Continue reading paying our respects – PA MagLochlainn
On 20 October hundreds of thousands of people will gather in central London to march for a future that works. [Here in Belfast there is a march as well.—Ed.] They’ll be taking to the streets because they believe that government … Continue reading March for a future that works (via Unison)
This morning I have been walking up what later on will be the Ulster Covenant Centenary Parade route. I’m heading to the capital, Dublin, for the day for a meeting in Molesworth Street. However, one thought particularly struck me as I walked up the Upper Newtownards Road in Belfast. The parade organisers have no signs up telling motorists and others that it is a major parade route. If this were London this would almost certainly have been done. There are signs that it is a parade route—lots of Union Flags flying at half-lamppost! Continue reading No road signage but plenty of signs of the Ulster Covenant commemoration
Instead of worrying about a flag that’s forty years out of date – perhaps we should look and think outside the box for a new one for Northern Ireland. Continue reading Time for a flag for Northern Ireland? We’ve been without for forty years.
Gyronny Herald 