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To view this shameful event follow the link below and forward the video to 15:07:17

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6319

and have to make do with a walk around the gardens instead... 




A motion commending the "bravery" and "sacrifice"  made by the B-Specials and other unionist paramilitaries was also defeated.

Poor form that we are being lumped into the UK thread, so here's a more politically correct one. Leaders debate on UTV was pure car crash telly though I'm interested to know what the SDLP MLA was doing in Afghanistan courtesy of the Brit Ministry of 'Defence'. It's a long way from Crumlin Thomas.

It's estimated Sinn Féin will need close to 9 out of every 10 nationalist votes to hold onto this seat. An almost impossible task but going by the manner in which Fearghal McKinney was absolutely slaughtered on the Politics Show yesterday by Gerry Kelly, it looks like they are going to give it a go.

Six days left to see it (28 minutes in):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/the_politics_show_northern_ireland

Warning: Some images are likely to offend those sensitive to scenes of pain and blood.

[City name change issue is 'dead']

City name change issue is 'dead'
Guildhall

9 March 2010

DUP MP Gregory Campbell has said the issue of changing the name of the city from Londonderry to Derry is "dead".

Derry City Council failed to reach agreement at a meeting on Monday. Proposals were put forward by Sinn Fein and the SDLP but both were rejected.

Mr Campbell said an equality impact assessment showed 3,000 people in favour of a change, but 9,000 were against it.

"That result is very clear the issue is dead, and it's time to move on."

Mr Campbell criticised Sinn Fein for "engaging in wild goose chases".

"They are still campaigning for a united Ireland, they are not going to get that either

"They have to get used to the fact you campaign for something and you don't always get it, but that's life, you live it and move on."

The SDLP had proposed to defer any action until a working group had been set up and further consultation carried out.

Sinn Fein proposed that the council should go ahead with its original plan to approach the privy council about changing the city's official name to Derry.

Sinn Fein Councillor, Kevin Campbell said it is accepted that the "majority of people when referring to the City call it Derry".

"Even unionist organizations proudly bear the historic name Derry. What is the SDLP's problem with proceeding with a council policy which it has already endorsed," Mr Campbell added.

"This debate has been exhaustive and I believe that it is time that decisive action is taken to restore the rightful and historic name to this city.

"Further prevarication will only add to the confusion when attempting to market the city with a plethora of names."

SDLP councillor Helen Quigley said she was disappointed the party's proposals were voted down.

"The SDLP has always been fully supportive of moves to have Derry officially recognised as the name of our city.

"Unfortunately other parties including Sinn Fein would rather play political games and voted against this idea and a subsequent plan for group leaders to come together to work out a possible way forward," she said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8557181.stm

On Livewhinge now. Heartening to see the Free State mentality is alive and kicking south of the border. w**kers...

RTÉ and TG4 to be freely available in North in 2012

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0202/1224263582384.html

MARK HENNESSY London Editor

RTÉ TELEVISION channels and TG4 will be freely available throughout all of Northern Ireland from 2012, once the planned digital television changes come into force, Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan said yesterday.

Some BBC channels will equally be carried free on the system due to come into force in the Republic at the same time, under the deal signed yesterday in London between Mr Ryan and his British counterpart, Ben Bradshaw.

The deal will ensure that the Irish and British authorities co-operate on the transition from analogue to digital television services, including joint ownership of television masts along the border.

RTÉ and TG4 are available to approximately half of Northern Ireland's population, although a commitment to make both more freely available was included in the St Andrews Agreement.

Negotiations with a number of companies to provide the €100 million digital system in the Republic – which have run into some difficulties – are still continuing, "but come what may, we are switching in 2012", Mr Ryan said.

The continued availability of signals from the BBC, particularly those from BBC Northern Ireland, was important, the Minister added, so that people in the Republic "understand the context and issues" that affect people in Northern Ireland.

The Republic and Northern Ireland will operate different digital systems, Mr Ryan went on, but the set-top boxes needed to decode the signals – which will not incur a separate fee unlike the Sky TV model – will be identical.

After things seemed they were progressing smoothly last week in the wake of the Robinson saga it seems the DUP has taken cold feet again. Rumours are now SF, exasperated at the latest hold-up have put an ultimatum to the DUP at a meeting of all the Party leaders. McGuinness and Durkan are meeting now and the word is Micheál Martin is speeding up the M1.

It's all changing rapidly but Peter is definitely toast unless Marty throws him a lifeline. If he doesn't who's next in the hot-seat?