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02/06/2008
SF Attempt To Stymie Robinson's First Minister Job 'Ludicrous'
Weekend speculation that Sinn Fein could somehow stymie the imminent appointment of the former DUP Deputy Leader, Peter Robinson, to the job his former party leader Ian Paisley filled at Stormont has been described as "ludicrous".
Effortlessly confirmed as the new leader of the DUP at a meeting of the party's executive in Castlereagh at the weekend, the current NI Executive Finance Minister also pooh-poohed speculation that Sinn Fein might not support his nomination as First Minister next week.
Mr Robinson said such a move would indeed be "ludicrous" and noted: "The idea that people are going to bring the house down around themselves is so ludicrous - particularly when you have a leadership that wants to resolve outstanding issues - that wants to see progress being made.
"There is an awful lot that we have to do as an Assembly and I have to say that there are many things that we have to do that can be win- win," he said.
But, while dismissing outright such a challenge from Sinn Fein, his call for some sort of electoral pact - effectively a single Unionist party fighting all comers in the period around general and local elections - he may have a more difficult job on his hands.
In a speech at the Ulster Unionists party's annual general meeting at the King' Hall, Leader, Sir Reg Empey has rejected the calls outright - which might end up less "win - win" and more "lose - lose" as the twin powers of republicans and nationalists bring out their supporters in the usual higher number than their unionist counterparts.
(BMcC)
Effortlessly confirmed as the new leader of the DUP at a meeting of the party's executive in Castlereagh at the weekend, the current NI Executive Finance Minister also pooh-poohed speculation that Sinn Fein might not support his nomination as First Minister next week.
Mr Robinson said such a move would indeed be "ludicrous" and noted: "The idea that people are going to bring the house down around themselves is so ludicrous - particularly when you have a leadership that wants to resolve outstanding issues - that wants to see progress being made.
"There is an awful lot that we have to do as an Assembly and I have to say that there are many things that we have to do that can be win- win," he said.
But, while dismissing outright such a challenge from Sinn Fein, his call for some sort of electoral pact - effectively a single Unionist party fighting all comers in the period around general and local elections - he may have a more difficult job on his hands.
In a speech at the Ulster Unionists party's annual general meeting at the King' Hall, Leader, Sir Reg Empey has rejected the calls outright - which might end up less "win - win" and more "lose - lose" as the twin powers of republicans and nationalists bring out their supporters in the usual higher number than their unionist counterparts.
(BMcC)
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The Alliance Party went on the offensive over terrorist amnesties amid reports that there may be as many as 200 republicans applying under the measure. Alliance Party leader David Ford stepped into the imbroglio and made a proposal which in effect repackages the amnesty measures to make it more palatable to a sceptical public.
25 May 2010
SDLP Unity 'U-Turn' Sees MLA Shunned
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Sinn Fein seeks Dail motion objecting to assembly suspension
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Ritchie Win Underlines Leadership
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A Sinn Fein Stormont Minister has been displaced by an Assembly Executive colleague. The SDLP's new leader Margaret Ritchie has won the South Down Westminster seat held by her party's outgoing MP, Eddie McGrady, (both pictured here).
16 August 2010
SF Opposes Ritchie Calls For Police Primacy
Sinn Fein have condemned a nationalist call for the PSNI to again run secret anti-terror operations instead of members of MI5.
SF Opposes Ritchie Calls For Police Primacy
Sinn Fein have condemned a nationalist call for the PSNI to again run secret anti-terror operations instead of members of MI5.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
