Tag: Belfast City Council

Belfast, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life1 Comment

Is St Patrick to be expunged from Union Flag?

Michael McFarland Campbell

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?

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APNI, Carrickfergus, DUP, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, Police, politics, PSNI, SDLP, Sinn Féin, UUPLeave a comment

Violence and fire-lighting is not the way forward

Michael McFarland Campbell

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

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Belfast, Blogging, LGBT, newsLeave a comment
Those present when a pink triangle wreath was laid at the Cenotaph, Belfast.

can the LGBT community stop self-stigmatising and join the general remembrance please?

Michael McFarland Campbell

  November is a month of remembrance, from the Christian celebrations of All Saints and All Souls on the first and second days of the month respectively, through the almost continual prayers for the Holy Souls at Mass during the … Continue reading can the LGBT community stop self-stigmatising and join the general remembrance please?

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christian, Church of England, LGBT, news, OxfordLeave a comment

Marriage equality – at step in the right direction in Oxford

Michael McFarland Campbell

With Belfast City Council voting in favour of equal rights with regard to marriage in the city of Belfast, it was refreshing to read a statement from the Chaplain of Pembroke College, Oxford: Civil Partnerships and Pembroke College Chapel The Governing Body and chaplain are dedicated to the mission of the chapel as fully including the whole college community, past and present, staff, students, and fellows. Same sex couples are most welcome to approach the chaplain with regard to preparation, celebration, and prayers when entering a Civil Partnership and for continuing support and counsel within their relationship as any other … Continue reading Marriage equality – at step in the right direction in Oxford

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Belfast, DUP, LGBT, news, politics4 Comments

Marriage equality: DUP doesn’t understand devolution…

Michael McFarland Campbell

Last night, Belfast City Council became the first council in Northern Ireland to support marriage equality. The Council voted in favour of the motion [proposed by Sinn Féin, supported by SDLP councillors and one Alliance councillor1]: This Council supports the same rights and entitlements to civil marriages for all citizens of Belfast regardless of race, religion or sexuality. However, as my friend Stephen Glenn so rightly says, that the Council voted in favour “isn’t all the story”. For there were no votes against, not because all councillors were in favour of the motion but, rather, because the Unionist councillors left … Continue reading Marriage equality: DUP doesn’t understand devolution…

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Belfast, Blogging, DUP, Northern Ireland life, Royal Family, Sinn Féin, UUPLeave a comment

Sinn Féin, a youth organisation, and the Duke of Edinburgh… time to grow up.

Michael McFarland Campbell

Imagine that you are 14 years old, you have just worked hard completing activities including Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition, for over three months as well as additional three months on one of them. During this time you have also carried out a 2 day (and one night) expedition. At the end of it you get an award. It could be with your school, the Scouts, the Guides, the Boys’ Brigade, the Church Lads’ Brigade or any other youth organisation. Having completed this award. you receive a certificate from someone important, along with all the others who have got your … Continue reading Sinn Féin, a youth organisation, and the Duke of Edinburgh… time to grow up.

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Blogging, Regional Development, Sinn FéinLeave a comment

Sinn Féin minister confirms bus shelters still possible

Michael McFarland Campbell

Today, I received a response from the Private Office of the Minister of Regional Development, Conor Murphy MP MLA, to my query about the provision of bus shelters in the Mountcollyer are of Belfast. It is clear from the response that there is need for further work to be done surrounding the need for bus shelters along the number 2 Metro route. I shall be working with my colleagues to ensure that this is done. There are other avenues open to us for any new bus shelters… read rest of post here. Continue reading Sinn Féin minister confirms bus shelters still possible

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Environment, news, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland life, politics3 Comments

councils delay has gone to Poots

Michael McFarland Campbell

By now we should be well down the road for reorganisation of the local district councils in Northern Ireland from the 26 current district councils to the 11 council model. Sadly for some, though better for actual local democracy and relation of councillor to constituent, this has not happened. According to the BBC, Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots, of the DUP, said that he remained committed to reforming local government Committed to reforming local government he may be, but not committed to bringing forward the legislation necessary to enable this to be done. For Mr Poots has … Continue reading councils delay has gone to Poots

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