Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[Ulick]

Lets face it, you wouldn't be happy even if they worked for nothing.

[Maguire01]

Lets face it, you wouldn't be happy even if they worked for nothing.

Do you think there are too many SPADs? Do you think SPADs should earn more than a Minister and twice the wage of an MLA?

This is not about working for nothing at all. I don't think an MLA's salary is at all excessive, given the hours most of them put in. The idea of doing it for the AIW... well there are easier ways to make money.

But there's genuine reason to question opposition to this bill.

[Maguire01]

Do the appointees to these posts have experience in the relevant sector that qualifies them to give "special advice"

If yes then hard argue with the pay rates.

They're party workers, appointed by the parties.

In the case of SF, they're appointed by the Party after a recruitment process, where the post is advertised and the applicant applies laying out their relevant experience and qualifications.

I'd love to see the qualifications and experience required for a 90k salary.

[ashman]

I thought being a special adviser was bringing particular ability and experience to a Minister.

They should not be openly recruited but head hunted because of what they can bring to achieving government policy in a particular sector. 

[Rossfan]

Mighty silence here at that Report thingy about Paramilitaries.
Are the usual suspects waiting for orders from the Army Council before they can comment?

[foxcommander]

Mighty silence here at that Report thingy about Paramilitaries.
Are the usual suspects waiting for orders from the Army Council before they can comment?

So you want a statement from them to say they don't exist?

And who did the audit? PWC or Ernst and Young?

It's so easy to make whatever you like up, there is no way to refute it. At least Frances Fitzgerald's (and I still think she's a spoofing moron) department came up with a more balanced opinion.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1020/736260-garda-assessment-ira/

I'd love to hear her say that the legacy of the British Army in the north was "appalling".

[An Watcher]

What a waste of time and money that report was. The only thing of note was the involvement of the army council which I am not so sure about. Did they have to put something in there to make it seem worthwhile.  Would love to know where they got this from

[Applesisapples]

What the report said was that some members of the IRA believed that the Army Council had an overarching role, this has been grasped by the UUP as fact. I believe Willie Frazer is a fair (no pun meant) minded individual with a balanced view of the conflict in Ireland....

[Maguire01]

The gaffe-prone Phil Flanagan strikes again...

Rodney Edwards ‏@rodneyedwards  Nov 19
Sinn Fein's @PhilFlanagan does not consider #ISIS "terrorists" and says term is used "by British establishment" to "demonise organisations."

[Minder]

The gaffe-prone Phil Flanagan strikes again...

Rodney Edwards ‏@rodneyedwards  Nov 19
Sinn Fein's @PhilFlanagan does not consider #ISIS "terrorists" and says term is used "by British establishment" to "demonise organisations."

He has obviously got brought into line as he now reckons thy are terrorists

[muppet]

The gaffe-prone Phil Flanagan strikes again...

Rodney Edwards ‏@rodneyedwards  Nov 19
Sinn Fein's @PhilFlanagan does not consider #ISIS "terrorists" and says term is used "by British establishment" to "demonise organisations."

He has obviously got brought into line as he now reckons thy are terrorists

He says he meant IBEC.

[Applesisapples]

Phil is not gaffe prone he is an eejit.

[Rossfan]

Oul Slabeen found guilty of tax dodging today!!

[theticklemister]

Oul Slabeen found guilty of tax dodging today!!

whats this got to do with the Shinners?

[general_lee]

Oul Slabeen found guilty of tax dodging today!!

whats this got to do with the Shinners?

Today FM began the news earlier: "Sinn Fein... eh IRA member... eh... Sinn Fein supporter Thomas Slab Murphy..."