Monthly Archives: October 2014

MLAs were unable to agree the appointment of a new Speaker for the Assembly, on 13 October 2014. Three candidates were proposed – Sinn Fein’s Mitchel McLaughlin, the SDLP’s John Dallat and Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs, but none received the necessary cross-community support. Another vote will take place “at a later date”, to be agreed by the Business Committee. Deputy First Minister, Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness called on the DUP to “honour the commitment” made by their late, former leader Dr Ian Paisley, that Mitchel McLaughlin would succeed William Hay as Speaker. He said it was “time for someone of the Republican tradition” to take up the role and described Mitchel McLaughlin as “well qualified to do so” as a “man of high intellect, always civil, always courteous “. DUP First Minister Peter Robinson said his party and Sinn Fein had agreed a “package that supported all our interests”, encompassing … Continue reading →

14 October 2014 Last updated at 06:36 ET By Gareth Gordon BBC News NI Political Correspondent Jim Allister has been banned from speaking in the assembly until 10 November Jim Allister has been barred from speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly for a month due to a clash with a deputy speaker. The TUV leader was told on Tuesday that his behaviour towards Roy Beggs was among the worst the assembly had seen. The deputy principal speaker, Mitchel McLaughlin, said the North Antrim MLA had breached standing orders. He has been banned from speaking in the chamber until 10 November. Mr McLaughlin said the the breach occurred when Mr Allister challenged the consistency of how Mr Beggs had chaired a session in the assembly and had suggested that the deputy speaker had acted at the behest of a clerk. He said Mr Allister has had several warnings in the past … Continue reading →

Sinn Fein has accused the DUP of reneging on a public deal made by the late first minister Ian Paisley that Sinn Fein MLA Mitchel McLaughlin would succeed William Hay as speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Assembly in a number of votes this afternoon failed to elect a speaker to replace the Derry DUP MLA Mr Hay, after the DUP abstained in the votes. Mr Hay, who has been elevated to the House of Lords, stood down due to illness. As the election required cross-party support, the DUP abstention effectively acted as a veto on Mr McLaughlin being elected. Northern Secretary wants talks to start next Thursday NI Executive to borrow £100m to avert impending budget crisis Analysis: Sinn Féin the real loser on water charges The candidates were Mr McLaughlin, SDLP Assembly member John Dallat, and Ulster Unionist Party MLA Roy Beggs. As the DUP abstained on … Continue reading →

13 October 2014 Last updated at 11:19 ET William Hay has retired from his post as Speaker for the Northern Ireland Assembly Assembly members have failed to elect a new Speaker after all three candidates fell short of a cross-community majority. Previous Speaker William Hay has retired because of ill health. Sinn Féin said the DUP should honour an agreement to support its nominee Mitchel McLaughlin. However, DUP leader Peter Robinson said the appointment of Speaker should be dealt with at the upcoming talks along with welfare reform. In the absence of a replacement for Mr Hay, Mr McLaughlin will remain in the chair as principal deputy speaker, along with deputy speakers John Dallat of the SDLP and Ulster Unionist Roy Beggs. The DUP promised Sinn Féin the post as a result of a deal that dates back to Ian Paisley’s time as first minister. Therefore, Sinn Féin expected Mitchel … Continue reading →

Members of the Orange Order’s East Antrim Combine have met with local political representatives to discuss the “graduated response” to the banning of loyalist band parades. The meeting at Mossley Orange Hall on Friday, October 3 was attended by around 100 brethren from the nine East Antrim districts, as well as William McCrea MP, Sammy Wilson MP and MLAs Roy Beggs, Paul Girvan and Trevor Clarke. On the agenda were the issues of parades, policing and justice, housing and education. During the meeting, Orange Order members quizzed the politicians over the so-called “graduated response” to the banning of the July 12 parade in North Belfast. Speaking to the Times after the meeting, Carnmoney District Master, Albert Steele said that brethren were annoyed at the lack of action in terms of a combined unionist/loyalist response. But he stressed that there was no suggestion of brethren organising public rallies at this stage. … Continue reading →