Messages

[9th, 11th, 12th, on BOTH his radio and TV shows on 14th, on 15th and the 19th. That's seven times in ten shows.]

Going to defend Nolan here, I don't think he is sectarian at all. He just stokes the flames from either side to get an argument going, get the ratings up, that is all he cares about. The stupid people are those that think he is biased against their side. I worked with a girl from Bangor who didn't believe me when I said he was a protestant from Belfast, she truly believed he was a secret shinner.

He is just a wind-up merchant and I listen to his show purely for the entertainment value of some idiot from the Shankill or West Belfast ringing in with their sectarian views.

I would have to disagree. He is the anchor of the show and a recent analysis of the show I came across somewhere in the twittersphere showed that during the dates being analysed, something in the region of 45% of invited contributors were unionist compared to something like 12% nationalist. I can't recall the exact figures but it was striking. That is not just him stirring. It is a consistent sectarian bias from a public broadcaster.

I know I posted this before, but what typifies Nolan for me was his antics in February 2018 when stormont was collapsed, and talks were at an advanced stage aimed at reinstating the assembly. He spent months and months criticising politicians for not compromising to get the institutions back until lo and behold, the first day news leaked that a compromise may have been reached, Nolan was all over it the next morning like a rash, whipping unionism into an absolute frenzy over the news that the DUP had made an apparent compromise on an Irish Language Act.

I posted here before that in the space of the ten days in/around that time in February '18, Nolan had Jim Allister on as a guest on his radio/tv shows on the 9th, 11th, 12th, on BOTH his radio and TV shows on 14th, on 15th and the 19th. That's seven times in ten shows. Who else (Bryson aside) gets airtime like that on any political radio or TV show? And then when the deal collapsed, guess who was back on his radio show/high horse, damning politicians from a height for failing to agree said compromise? I stopped listening to any of his output since.

If his show is not institutionally sectarian, then what is the explanation for his constant platforming of Jamie Bryson (an individual literally no other broadcaster gives time of day to), and Jim Allister - a man who, if twitter is anything to go by, continues to be on the show at least three times a week despite him being the leader and only MLA in the Assembly's smallest party?

You might claim that he only provides a platforms to two such extremist unionists as a means of winding people - but if that was the only reason, then surely he could offer some unelected dissident republican binlid with links to a paramilitary organisation an almost daily slot on his show, just to wind people up? The reality, as far as I can see, is that his show is a means of stoking sectarian tension and is done so from the conscious position of unionist bias. A bias which the bare statistics overwhelmingly back up.

Other parties are asked on regularly but have the sense to know they are better off avoiding Nolan. Just because you have Allister or Bryson on more than nationalist representatives does not show institutional sectarianism. What it shows to me is that unionism/loyalism is in disarray and these are the people that what to talk about the current issues on the show. Brexit, the protocol, the DUP leadership, Bonfires/12th. Do any nationalists feel that strongly about the current position on any of these issues?

As for asking on dissident republicans, in general working class inner city catholics are well represented politically. Working class loyalists are not, the DUP rile them up come election time to get votes but want nothing to do with them. I'm no fan of Bryson but his views are the views of loyalists around Belfast.

His views represent a couple of hundred people based on the last time he stood for anything. Nobody else, sure FFS at the last anti-protocol in Newtownards got a couple of hundred at best mostly bands and kids..

Do you think it would be right to have that dissie group in Derry on all the time?

I think his views represent loyalism. I think he doesn't do well at elections as the loyalist vote is driven by fear of Sinn Fein, any vote for a party outside the DUP is splitting the unionist vote and is a vote for SF. Before I go down as a Bryson supporter I absolutely agree he shouldn't be on the show as much as he is, but he's controversial and that helps ratings. I just don't think you need 50/50 representation on the show. Representation should be driven by the issues being discussed. eg the NI protocol, as a nationalist i'm happy with it, i don't need my politicians on defending an irish sea border everyday. Unionists aren't so they will be the people on the show.

[9th, 11th, 12th, on BOTH his radio and TV shows on 14th, on 15th and the 19th. That's seven times in ten shows.]

Going to defend Nolan here, I don't think he is sectarian at all. He just stokes the flames from either side to get an argument going, get the ratings up, that is all he cares about. The stupid people are those that think he is biased against their side. I worked with a girl from Bangor who didn't believe me when I said he was a protestant from Belfast, she truly believed he was a secret shinner.

He is just a wind-up merchant and I listen to his show purely for the entertainment value of some idiot from the Shankill or West Belfast ringing in with their sectarian views.

I would have to disagree. He is the anchor of the show and a recent analysis of the show I came across somewhere in the twittersphere showed that during the dates being analysed, something in the region of 45% of invited contributors were unionist compared to something like 12% nationalist. I can't recall the exact figures but it was striking. That is not just him stirring. It is a consistent sectarian bias from a public broadcaster.

I know I posted this before, but what typifies Nolan for me was his antics in February 2018 when stormont was collapsed, and talks were at an advanced stage aimed at reinstating the assembly. He spent months and months criticising politicians for not compromising to get the institutions back until lo and behold, the first day news leaked that a compromise may have been reached, Nolan was all over it the next morning like a rash, whipping unionism into an absolute frenzy over the news that the DUP had made an apparent compromise on an Irish Language Act.

I posted here before that in the space of the ten days in/around that time in February '18, Nolan had Jim Allister on as a guest on his radio/tv shows on the 9th, 11th, 12th, on BOTH his radio and TV shows on 14th, on 15th and the 19th. That's seven times in ten shows. Who else (Bryson aside) gets airtime like that on any political radio or TV show? And then when the deal collapsed, guess who was back on his radio show/high horse, damning politicians from a height for failing to agree said compromise? I stopped listening to any of his output since.

If his show is not institutionally sectarian, then what is the explanation for his constant platforming of Jamie Bryson (an individual literally no other broadcaster gives time of day to), and Jim Allister - a man who, if twitter is anything to go by, continues to be on the show at least three times a week despite him being the leader and only MLA in the Assembly's smallest party?

You might claim that he only provides a platforms to two such extremist unionists as a means of winding people - but if that was the only reason, then surely he could offer some unelected dissident republican binlid with links to a paramilitary organisation an almost daily slot on his show, just to wind people up? The reality, as far as I can see, is that his show is a means of stoking sectarian tension and is done so from the conscious position of unionist bias. A bias which the bare statistics overwhelmingly back up.

Other parties are asked on regularly but have the sense to know they are better off avoiding Nolan. Just because you have Allister or Bryson on more than nationalist representatives does not show institutional sectarianism. What it shows to me is that unionism/loyalism is in disarray and these are the people that what to talk about the current issues on the show. Brexit, the protocol, the DUP leadership, Bonfires/12th. Do any nationalists feel that strongly about the current position on any of these issues?

As for asking on dissident republicans, in general working class inner city catholics are well represented politically. Working class loyalists are not, the DUP rile them up come election time to get votes but want nothing to do with them. I'm no fan of Bryson but his views are the views of loyalists around Belfast.

Ive been listening to his show since the DUP went belly up, I just catch up with selected bits on BBC Sounds. The first segment  in this  morning’s show ranked with the worst. It dealt with Nolan ringing his church bells with gusto and ranting against the Irish Republic BIAS against NORN IRON UK citizens,  on behalf of the trials and tribulations experienced by  a Newry couple arriving into Dublin Airport from Edinburgh on a British passport, with no negative covid test who were subsequently escorted into a quarantine hotel. 

It irritates me to hear the term used Irish Republic, It’s Ireland !!! the effin name of the country is Ireland , as is named in Dev’s constitution.
The Republic of Ireland is just a description, it is not the name of the country. What we got is Ireland  and Northern Ireland. And on an Irish passport is Ireland  with a nice graphic of the whole Island.

I remember listening to Nolan a few years back (before I stopped) and he was asking listeners to recommend places to visit in the 'Republic of Ireland' on a short break since he had never been down south. He made it sound like it was an alien land far away but the fact that he hadn't been across the border said enough. His blatant ignorance and disdain for anything to do with Irish culture and tradition was always very obvious on air.   

Going to defend Nolan here, I don't think he is sectarian at all. He just stokes the flames from either side to get an argument going, get the ratings up, that is all he cares about. The stupid people are those that think he is biased against their side. I worked with a girl from Bangor who didn't believe me when I said he was a protestant from Belfast, she truly believed he was a secret shinner.

He is just a wind-up merchant and I listen to his show purely for the entertainment value of some idiot from the Shankill or West Belfast ringing in with their sectarian views.

Communions and Confirmations that was planned for early July are off but weddings with guests of 50 people can proceed. Where is the logic in allowing one over the other?

A wedding is one of the biggest days of your life, many people have been waiting a year to go ahead and have spent a lot of money. The stress it would cause people to call them off at this stage has been deemed greater than the covid benefits.

Holy Communions and confirmations impact a lot more people thus might impact spread more, it's a nice day but people don't really care about them that much to the extent if they are delayed it will impact them severely.

That would be my logic why weddings are more important. That being said I don't think holy communions or confirmations should be off either.

From the north but unfortunately I booked my wedding over the border before covid, paying €000's at the time so it's not easy to move. Now on our 4th date, due at the end of the month. 50 invites sent out last week and now this news. Honestly at the end of my tether with it all, we are going ahead regardless but at this stage it is a massive blow to potentially have to cut our numbers in half with 3 weeks to go, after all the cuts we've already made.

I know this doesn't impact most people and yes there are more serious things to worry about during a pandemic but this has caused so much stress to couples trying to get married for the last 15 months.

After i'm married I hope to never have to look at Tony Holohan, Sam McConkey and Michael Martin again. Never thought id say this but I nearly appreciate how Stormont and the UK have handled this (post the initial wave).

Extension of weddings to 50 is to go ahead it seems. Fingers crossed for you.

Was at a wedding here in the North last week, 120 at it and it was a brilliant night, carried on to the next day at another hotel and to date, a week later, no positive results form anyone who attended

Yeah I was at one 2 weeks ago with 140 at it. Makes it all the more sickening we booked over the border.

Yeah I see rumours of 50 to get the go ahead, lets hope so, because I don't fancy dealing with my other half if it's not the case. Tony Holohan's life will be in danger from crazed brides to be!

From the north but unfortunately I booked my wedding over the border before covid, paying €000's at the time so it's not easy to move. Now on our 4th date, due at the end of the month. 50 invites sent out last week and now this news. Honestly at the end of my tether with it all, we are going ahead regardless but at this stage it is a massive blow to potentially have to cut our numbers in half with 3 weeks to go, after all the cuts we've already made.

I know this doesn't impact most people and yes there are more serious things to worry about during a pandemic but this has caused so much stress to couples trying to get married for the last 15 months.

After i'm married I hope to never have to look at Tony Holohan, Sam McConkey and Michael Martin again. Never thought id say this but I nearly appreciate how Stormont and the UK have handled this (post the initial wave).

Netherlands is half the size of Ireland in land mass and look at the footballers they have produced!

Ah land mass, a critical indicator of the success of a football team and why Canada are one of the greatest sides in the world.

That and their 17.28 million population 

It's doubtful if Soccer is the 3rd most popular sport in Ireland.

Ah I'd say it is. It's only surpassed by gaelic football and hurling.

I'd say soccer is definitely played by more people than Hurling. I'd have it at number 2.

Netherlands is half the size of Ireland in land mass and look at the footballers they have produced!

Ah land mass, a critical indicator of the success of a football team and why Canada are one of the greatest sides in the world.

Bottom line

The North of this island is an underperforming asset relative to the rest of the country

Partition turned the most successful part of Ireland into one of the poorest parts of Europe with billions needed every year from the English taxpayers to keep it even at that level

NI currently has a population 36% of the Republics

1.1920 2 counties Down and Antrim had 80% of the total economic output of the Island, today the total NI economic output is 8% of this islands output.

If NI was in any fit state economically, it would be contributing a third or more.

2.The Size of the Republics economy is €400bn odd, the size of NI's is £40bn odd

NI's economy should be treble what it is, £120bn odd

3.Exports

ROI total exports €160bn odd,2020 up 8% on 2019

NI total exports £7bn odd

the reality is that the increase in the Republic exports between 2019 and 2020 is greater than NI total exports tells its own story.

4.Cross Border Exports by value

34% NI exports to the Republic

1% ROI exports to NI

So what’s your point?

Are you that economically illiterate

The NI economy with all its billions in subventions from the English taxpayer is underperforming the Republic by a minimum of 2/3rds by some metrics and up to 90% in others

The billions that have spent on it by the UK taxpayer haven’t shifted the arrow upwards on any graph,actually it appears that the opposite is the case

Will it come to a point in 30/40 years time,where even the english will say this is too much of a drain on us,

you lot take it on

remember the subvention to NI is an awful lot more that the EU one and we all know what happened there

We don't know is the simple answer, looking back in the not so distant past Ireland was nearly bankrupt and now its bounced back, go back even further and there wasn't a road that didn't have a hole on it or didnt take you through every village on the way to Dublin.

You are going into the future with a blind idea of how it will pan out.

Northern Ireland is not a country its a state that's been run into the ground after over 30 years of troubles, were building were raised to the ground and business couldn't open without having to pay for the 'protection' from their local hoods.

Within that period industries closed like Mackies Harlands, and other major engineering firms, a small place like here can't and won't be able to sustain itself with the drop off in industry.

I'm sure there is enough of a skilled work force to get it up and going again. Local politics has a lot to answer to, but sure we'll keep voting them in and get the same results.

Your post is something we all know. So what's your real point? That the South would be mad to take back the north, that it would be better to stay as a republic and not unify the island?

The troubles ended 23 years ago and the arrow is still pointing downwards for the northern economy

1945 Germany was bombed back to the Stone Age

1968 it was one of the richest countries in the world

Maybe the English taxpayers should double or even treble the subvention

It still wouldn’t move the dial


You don’t think the troubles on the island cost the Republic in terms of billions spent on security and lost FDI?

How many years post partition did it take for RoI to become an economically successful country?

The FF/FG line is we aren't ready yet, we need to learn from the mistakes of Brexit etc. I think they will say this for all eternity. How much can you really resolve before hand, reach an agreement on the health service, education etc etc these things would take years even decades to sort out if there is no referendum, plus there will be no appetite from FG/FF/DUP to discuss them unless there is a vote for a UI that is successful. Is there a precedent for this type of thing. What happened with east and west Germany, didn't the whole process take about 18 months? And here we are discussing 2028 or 20never.

Have the vote soon and have longer transitional periods than Brexit (if it is successful) is my view or it will never happen.

I don't think the sample population for this poll will tell us anything. A predominantly Ulster based gaa forum favour independence. Same with the GAA fans in the south, probably to a lesser degree.

Seasonal as in weather? Explain Brazil India all those countries like South Africa that, weather or seasonal wise is better than here and they have high numbers all year round?

Once the kids go back and they carry out the testing in schools the numbers will rise smackhead, hopefully it won't rise to much to put the stages back.

The numbers are down now because we've been 'caged' up for over 80 days and the vaccine is going to reduce the hospital admissions, having seen how well the lockdown worked in reducing other seasonal illnesses then surely it would mss as Ke good sense to have a mini lockdown.

If no lockdowns we'll need a booster to help with any mutations of this virus.

Europe already arranging vaccine passports, ferry companies demanding them also before cruises allow passengers on. This is positive

I thought Brazil and Indias numbers were quite low when adjusted for population. Brazil is 25th on deaths per 100k with a president that didn't believe in lockdown. India are 118th, I accept testing and record keeping might not be great but if it was a significant number it wouldn't go unnoticed like it is now. Climate has to be a driver here

[fully]

I would be sceptical about saying 'most' people have been responsible.

A slim majority perhaps.

I see and hear people talking about how deadly covid is, yet don't wear a mask in the local shop, or think they can visit as many people indoors as they like, as long as they are family, or who take wee day trips here there and everywhere, because they can.

They may wash thier hands more often, or 'distance' a couple of feet, or maybe stop visiting friends as often, but I would struggle to say they most people are fully 'responsible' in what they do, becasue there is so little comeback if they don't.

As long as all shops don't stop people entering unless they have a mask, for example, many people will still continue not to bother.

I live in Belfast and in the past few months 99% of people i see in the supermarket or spar have been wearing masks. If masks are the solution they clearly aren't working like some people have you believe. Complaints about mask wearing compliance are massively exaggerated.

I'd love to get a London job in the current environment and live in NI. I don't think anyone in my industry will ever be back in the office full time so I think in theory it should be possible and good for NI wages. My company has got rid of its belfast city centre office completely, we now have an office outside Belfast with only 25% capacity.

For a year the vaccine was the way out. Now I can see Hannock on the Andrew Marr (and others over last few weeks) changing the rhetoric a bit, 1. If there are no new variants 2. The roll out has to go effectively 3. The deaths have to come down 4. And the nhs is protected. Then we can open up. Another scientist on the show said there will  be lockdowns next winter.

This is getting beyond a joke, 2m are vaccinated in UK already, in another month it will prob be 3 times that or more. We should be open at the end of February or March for good. Are we just going to stay inside so no one ever gets sick again.