Messages

Down are out on head to head with Monaghan.

The SF representatives mentioned are stepping down at the next election so again no bye election required.

Gildernew is contesting the European seat in June. Will she step down if elected? She should, but with Westminster election one a few months later I wonder would there be any point.

My understanding is dual mandates are not permitted so she would have to resign. Bye election would depend on if a general election was to be within the 3 months of resignation.

Will they just wait till the next election or will him stepping down generate a by-election ?

It should generate a by election but will anyone be in a hurry to do this?
Sorcha Eastwood's chances much improved.

If the DUP lose 2 Westminster seats and presuming the Shinners don't a single unionist party will be imperative 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_MPs_for_constituencies_in_Northern_Ireland_(2019%E2%80%93present)

Can someone correct me if I am wrong that they can survive a by-election being called as we are in Election year? Michelle Gildernew, Micky Brady and Francie Molly all stepping down there seats but no by-elections.

However if a by-election is called in Lagan Valley Alliance will need lot to go there way - turnout would need to strong and most by elections turnout figures aren't great.

JD has not resigned as an MP as yet so no bye election required. If he does it will be called within 3 months. The SF representatives mentioned are stepping down at the next election so again no bye election required.

Anyone who believes the allegations or timing of them are some sort of conspiracy is a lunatic. Donaldson going as leader of DUP gives the brexit fanatics and anti-framework wing another opportunity to swing the DUP in their direction. It benefits those J Bryson is implying have been wronged by forces unknown keeping the allegations quiet and railroading in the safeguarding the union agreement.
Seems likely to prompt another round of inter unionist fighting over who loves the union most.

BBC Northern Ireland have a brief report about the charges "Man, 61, charged over non-recent sexual offences"
J Allister was complaining about super injunctions around 12 March seemed rather random at the time but maybe he was hinting at something.

Laois by 5
Down by 2
Donegal by 1
Dublin by 4

Derry
Dublin
Kerry
Monaghan v Mayo -DRAW

Cavan
Cork
Donegal
Kildare

Antrim
Down
Offaly 
Sligo

Carlow
Laois
Wexford v Longford -DRAW
Leitrim

Dublin
Tyrone
Kerry
Derry

Armagh
Donegal
Meath v Cork -DRAW
Louth

Wicklow
Clare
Offaly
Down

London
Laois
Wexford
Longford

Calling for pay parity is an easy soundbite that Trade Unions can use to establish their position in negotiations.
Why anyone on here would begrudge teachers getting a pay rise or achieving pay parity with UK based teachers is beyond me. It is not an easy job and it is not handy for those working in schools.

But my point is most careers are lower paid here than UK. Doing the same work as them. I've nothing against teachers getting a rise but trying that argument is a bit of BS imo.

I agree teaching would be a tough career. But so is healthcare, engineering, finance, trades etc. and their all paid less than in the uk too.

I would not expect any settlement to achieve pay parity but it does give the unions a concise (if apparently unpopular on here) demand to government.  Also harder for government to argue against without portraying a negative image of NI. Teachers here have had no rise in pay for a number of years unlike counterparts in GB so discrepancies in pay have grown. Trying  to narrow or remove that gap for doing the same job is not unreasonable.
Maybe the DUP can start campaigning to remove the pay border in the Irish Sea so teachers, nurses, engineers and all the rest are paid equally.

Calling for pay parity is an easy soundbite that Trade Unions can use to establish their position in negotiations.
Why anyone on here would begrudge teachers getting a pay rise or achieving pay parity with UK based teachers is beyond me. It is not an easy job and it is not handy for those working in schools.

Derry v Dublin - Draw
Mayo
Kerry
Galway

Armagh
Cavan
Donegal
Cork

Clare
Westmeath
Down
Offaly

Carlow v Wexford -Draw
Laois
Tipperary
Longford

[Some counties main objective is staying up in Division 1 and anything else is a bonus]

Some counties main objective is staying up in Division 1 and anything else is a bonus. Kerry and Derry bringing back the Clifford brothers and Glen players back so soon is a clear message that their objective is to win the league title and then carry that form into the championship.

Harte has joined up with Derry to win the All-Ireland title and IMO they'll likely have a better chance of achieving that feat in 2025 should Glen get an early exit from the Derry or Ulster this autumn/winter.

Could Derry and Kerry's ojective in bringing the players back early be to gain enough points to stay up and rest them towards the end of the league?
And presuming that both counties ultimate objective is to win an All Ireland in 2024 why would they bring the players back so soon if they believed it would lessen the chances of this happening?

Tyrone v Mayo - DRAW
Dublin
Galway v Derry - DRAW
Roscommon

Cork
Louth
Meath
Armagh

Down
Clare
Sligo
Westmeath

Wexford
Longford
Carlow
Laois

Anything can be described as a waste of money or costing too much. If there is a failure to rebuild Casement Park it will show the North to be dysfunctional and incapable of delivering on major projects. The planning delays and safety issues that have cause the project to run this long reflect very badly on all the parties involved as it is.
At present the argument over funding seems to be verging into the sectarian sphere and or the normal pattern of this place, if they get something we want the same.
A new stadium for GAA matches and other activities will not do anyone any harm and should produce benefits across the region and island. Someone somewhere should have the gumption to get on with building it.

For comparison with other large-scale projects which may be considered a waste of money:
Dundonald International Ice Bowl.
Councillors agreed to invest £52 million in the popular leisure complex over the next three years.
Belfast Stories: As a new £100 million visitor destination located close to Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, will be a landmark signature experience in the heart of the city that speaks to the essence of Belfast and its people.
Strule shared campus is the biggest school building project to be planned in Northern Ireland. Beset by delays, the project's cost has soared to an anticipated £341m.

And even at a total cost of £225 million it would only be a one-off investment of £5 per adult across the UK. I don't think it will bankrupt anyone.

Derry
Dublin
Kerry
Galway

Donegal
Cork
Meath
Armagh

Down
Sligo
Draw - Offaly v Clare
Westmeath

Longford
Laois
Tipperary
Wexford