Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[macdanger2]

Jaysus, that was quick - was she elected or is it an appointed job?

[Dougal Maguire]

Really strange choice. Not sure she'll have the ability to debate things with the likes of Naoimi Long or Arlene Foster but hopefully I'm wrong. Murphy has much more ability in my opinion but s perhaps too hard line. Michelle Gildernew would have been a better choice if it was a gender thing.  If ut was a gender based decision then it would suggest Mary Lou won't be Adams' replacement. In other news, SDLP youth policy continues with news that hot on the heels of Dolores Kelly, the youthful John Dallat has come out of retirement to contest East Derry

[Applesisapples]

We need to bear in mind that this appointment, which is what it was is similar to the appointment of any other ministry. To my knowledge the elected leadership of SF is Mary Lou, Gerry as president and vice president. Michelle O'Neill is a strategic appointment by SF and Conor Murphy will remain influential and don't rule him out as a potential VP or P in future. SF do collective leadership. The advantages in the north of MON are that the take away the IRA bogeyman hence trying to show that she is Gerry's puppet. That said she is a strong performer and charismatic (even though she's a cuddy from the bushes). I'd expect Conor to be front and centre and a prime negotiator.

[Take Your Points]

Jaysus, that was quick - was she elected or is it an appointed job?

SF doesn't do vote. it was an anointment. A slap in the teeth for Murphy and those who paid their dues.  Adams is all over it and she is a total party loyalist.  The loss of McGuinness is becoming more apparent each day.  O'Neill is the SF mirror of Arlene, she has a slight edge on the competence stakes given RHI.  She has shown the same contempt to MLAs for any challenge to her ministry as Arlene has shown for challenge to her.  Doesn't bode well for the future and the development of a stable government needed to deliver health and education for the people that have been delivered over the last 10 years.

Instead of direct rule during a period of SF abstentionism from the assembly, powers should be further devolved to the 11 super councils that have shown they can work.  No need for a ministry of communities at any time when we have these councils.

[Franko]

Jaysus, that was quick - was she elected or is it an appointed job?

SF doesn't do vote. it was an anointment. A slap in the teeth for Murphy and those who paid their dues.  Adams is all over it and she is a total party loyalist.  The loss of McGuinness is becoming more apparent each day.  O'Neill is the SF mirror of Arlene, she has a slight edge on the competence stakes given RHI.  She has shown the same contempt to MLAs for any challenge to her ministry as Arlene has shown for challenge to her.  Doesn't bode well for the future and the development of a stable government needed to deliver health and education for the people that have been delivered over the last 10 years.

Instead of direct rule during a period of SF abstentionism from the assembly, powers should be further devolved to the 11 super councils that have shown they can work.  No need for a ministry of communities at any time when we have these councils.

If SF had installed the Dalai Lama as leader in the north you'd have had an issue with it.  As an old uncle of mine used to say... nobody listens to the dog that barks all day...

[Rossfan]

Will the DUP dominated super Councils indulge in parity of esteem?

[haranguerer]

Jaysus, that was quick - was she elected or is it an appointed job?

SF doesn't do vote. it was an anointment. A slap in the teeth for Murphy and those who paid their dues.  Adams is all over it and she is a total party loyalist.  The loss of McGuinness is becoming more apparent each day.  O'Neill is the SF mirror of Arlene, she has a slight edge on the competence stakes given RHI.  She has shown the same contempt to MLAs for any challenge to her ministry as Arlene has shown for challenge to her.  Doesn't bode well for the future and the development of a stable government needed to deliver health and education for the people that have been delivered over the last 10 years.

Instead of direct rule during a period of SF abstentionism from the assembly, powers should be further devolved to the 11 super councils that have shown they can work.  No need for a ministry of communities at any time when we have these councils.

[Applesisapples]

Will the DUP dominated super Councils indulge in parity of esteem?

The DUP don't do parity of esteem, thats why we are where we are.

[Take Your Points]

Jaysus, that was quick - was she elected or is it an appointed job?

SF doesn't do vote. it was an anointment. A slap in the teeth for Murphy and those who paid their dues.  Adams is all over it and she is a total party loyalist.  The loss of McGuinness is becoming more apparent each day.  O'Neill is the SF mirror of Arlene, she has a slight edge on the competence stakes given RHI.  She has shown the same contempt to MLAs for any challenge to her ministry as Arlene has shown for challenge to her.  Doesn't bode well for the future and the development of a stable government needed to deliver health and education for the people that have been delivered over the last 10 years.

Instead of direct rule during a period of SF abstentionism from the assembly, powers should be further devolved to the 11 super councils that have shown they can work.  No need for a ministry of communities at any time when we have these councils.

If SF had installed the Dalai Lama as leader in the north you'd have had an issue with it.  As an old uncle of mine used to say... nobody listens to the dog that barks all day...

Mind you, it would appear that you continue to read/follow what I have to say so it must be having some effect.

Even through your own arrogance you might one day see that a person's opinion is as valid as another regardless of how often they may wish to express it especially when it doesn't agree with your own world view.

[Take Your Points]

Will the DUP dominated super Councils indulge in parity of esteem?

Probably as much as those dominated by other parties.  DUP has no monopoly on denying a parity of esteem in this country just as SF has no monopoly on demanding equality or the Irish language.

[Applesisapples]

Will the DUP dominated super Councils indulge in parity of esteem?

Probably as much as those dominated by other parties.  DUP has no monopoly on denying a parity of esteem in this country just as SF has no monopoly on demanding equality or the Irish language.

Not the case if you look at the activities of nationalist controlled councils over the years as opposed to those dominated by unionists you will see that the minority unionist population in those areas were reasonably well catered for. Compare that with the antics of the old Craigavon council or the newer Causeway Coast and Glens one.

[Franko]

Jaysus, that was quick - was she elected or is it an appointed job?

SF doesn't do vote. it was an anointment. A slap in the teeth for Murphy and those who paid their dues.  Adams is all over it and she is a total party loyalist.  The loss of McGuinness is becoming more apparent each day.  O'Neill is the SF mirror of Arlene, she has a slight edge on the competence stakes given RHI.  She has shown the same contempt to MLAs for any challenge to her ministry as Arlene has shown for challenge to her.  Doesn't bode well for the future and the development of a stable government needed to deliver health and education for the people that have been delivered over the last 10 years.

Instead of direct rule during a period of SF abstentionism from the assembly, powers should be further devolved to the 11 super councils that have shown they can work.  No need for a ministry of communities at any time when we have these councils.

If SF had installed the Dalai Lama as leader in the north you'd have had an issue with it.  As an old uncle of mine used to say... nobody listens to the dog that barks all day...

Mind you, it would appear that you continue to read/follow what I have to say so it must be having some effect.

Even through your own arrogance you might one day see that a person's opinion is as valid as another regardless of how often they may wish to express it especially when it doesn't agree with your own world view.

There's no arrogance here.  Merely pointing out that if you are found to have a negative opinion of each and every move that SF make, you may have an issue with other people lending much weight to that opinion.  Some might be prone to thinking that you have another agenda.

You are the polar opposite to the 'shinnerbots' that you once mentioned.  You're still a 'bot' though.

[Farrandeelin]

So Michelle O'Neill wants special status for NI in the EU. Pro partition much?

[seafoid]

Arlene's approval rating  is 29%. Les Shinners are neck and neck with the DUP.

[armaghniac]

So Michelle O'Neill wants special status for NI in the EU. Pro partition much?

I think it fair to say that she is pro partition of the UK.