THE GERRY KELLY SHOW!

“A brilliant night”; “fantastic”; “the best evening’s entertainment I have had in years”; “people and politics and life – a great mix.” “A big thank-you to the organisers!”
These were just a few of the comments from some of the members of the large audience in St Kevin’s Hall, North Belfast, last Sunday night, when Sinn Fein executive minister Gerry Kelly hosted a ‘chat show’ like no other.
“A fantastic and imaginative night’s entertainment, all done really professionally, and Gerry Kelly was great craic!” said Imelda McGran, who had travelled from Dublin to attend.
‘Warmed up’ by the inimitable Barry McElduff - gaeilgeoir, GAA enthusiast and self-confessed friend of BBC shock-jock Stephen Nolan - the Sinn Fein MLA for West Tyrone regaled the audience for fifteen minutes until Gerry Kelly’s Valium kicked in.
“I was nervous at the start as I’m usually the one getting the grilling,” confessed Gerry, afterwards. As he rose from his seat in the ‘green room’ to take his seat as host on the stage his own house band regaled him with a Carly Simon song: “You’re So Vain – I bet you think this show is about you!” The band - three members of the LGBT Community and a Piano, included Sinn Fein Councillor Conor Maskey.
“Tonight is about letting our hair down and having a laugh,” said Gerry, before calling up his first guest, Danny Millar from the New Lodge Road, now one of Ireland’s top chefs. Danny said that “growing up in this area twenty years ago I could never have imagined I would be sitting here today getting interviewed by Gerry Kelly!”
“Come to think of it,” quipped Gerry Kelly, “twenty years ago I would have found this hard to imagine myself!”
His second guest was one of Ireland’s favourite balladeers, Frances Black, who spoke about her family background: a father from Rathlin Island and a mother from Dublin’s inner city. Frances spoke about the influences on her and also the challenges, demands and dangers of being a singer. She spoke candidly about her own addiction and her work with the RISE foundation which helps the relatives of those whose loved ones suffer from addiction.
Of course, towards the end of the interview Gerry persuaded Frances to sing. The song she chose was Ewan McColl’s, ‘Legal/Illegal’, part of which goes:
It’s illegal to rip off a payroll,
It’s illegal to hold up a train,
But it’s legal to rip off a million or two,
That comes from the labour that other folk do,
To plunder the many on behalf of the few,
Is a thing that is perfectly legal…

It’s illegal if you are a traveller,
To camp by the side of the road,
But it’s proper and right for the rich and the great,
To live in a mansion or own an estate,
That was got from the people by pillage and rape,
That is what they call a tradition.

Gerry’s last guest was ‘Gorgeous’ George Galloway, the Respect MP, who remarked on Frances’s song and the fact that he knew both Ewan McColl and also his late daughter Kirsty who was involved with him in protesting against the economic sanctions against Iraq before the war which had led to the deaths of thousands of children. He spoke about public figures who claimed to be doing their best and he remarked, “When all’s said and done, there’s a lot more said than done.”
The highly popular, pro-Palestinian MP and anti-war activist spoke about his work on aid to Gaza and in Lebanon and that famous day when he single-handedly took on the US Senate Committee who had accused him of being in the pay of Saddam Hussein. Their claims, he said, were “the mother of all smokescreens”.
In a combative defence of his position he said he had met Saddam Hussein on two occasions - the same number of times as US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
“The difference,” he said to them, “is that Donald Rumsfeld met Saddam to sell him guns and maps - the better to target those guns. I met him to try to bring about an end to sanctions, suffering and war.”
To the right of the stage in St Kevin’s Hall was a stand showing pictures of Che Guevara, Mairead Farrell and Bobby Sands, which George praised and pointed out that in struggle each single activist played a crucial part and could change history.
Afterwards, he was given a standing ovation and was inundated for photographs and autographs.
“When George was talking he nearly raised the roof,” said Gerry Kelly.
North Belfast republican and former hunger striker Mary Doyle, speaking to ‘An Phoblacht’, said, “Gerry was great and everything was so well done, but he needn’t think he’s giving up his day job to take over the Jonathan Ross show until after he wins the North Belfast seat!”

Kelly appeals for end to destruction of hills

Gerry Kelly MLA has appealed to those that are starting fires on the Belfast hills to stop. The latest fire was lit in Ligoniel on Sunday afternoon.
"It would break your heart when you see such destruction as this,” said the Sinn Féin MLA.
“We are fighting tooth and nail for leisure resources for the people of the constituency and can't afford to have what few parks we have ruined.
"Apart from the obvious vandalism, these fires are tying up essential fire appliances which could be needed to rescue families in an emergency"
"This latest fire has caused huge damage to the local environment which may never recover. It has destroyed vital habitat for ground nesting birds at such a crucial time in the early spring time."
Gerry Kelly appealled to those that are starting the fires to stop and called for action by the PSNI to bring those responsible before the courts.

"It's not just young people that are being blamed for these fires. Who ever is involved in wrecking our community needs to stop now! I fully understand that we cannot expect the PSNI to police all the Belfast hills but every effort must be made to catch these vandals and hold them accountable for their actions."

A new approach to public appointments required

By Mitchel McLaughlin
In the recent past we have witnessed corruption in public life in the 26 counties, from politicians taking bribes, fixing planning applications, and granting exploration licenses to multi-national conglomerates at virtually no benefit to the people of Ireland.

Additionally in the North, since the re-establishment of political institutions, the Assembly scrutiny committees are now beginning to uncover many examples of abuse of trust and bad practice from years of Direct Rule. The recent decisive action by Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy in sacking four NIWater Board members should set the benchmark for all Ministers as an example of how those appointed to positions of public trust should be held accountable.

Most reasonable people will be outraged at the measures now being taken to address the devastating consequences of permitting the banks to operate virtually unregulated. Most people will feel that these measures are not extensive enough nor will they properly hold to account those who were responsible for bringing the economy to the brink of bankruptcy and were allowed to walk away with virtually no sanction imposed. The people want to see new standards of accountability set for public appointments and strict regulation of financial institutions.

The citizens of Ireland have been afflicted for too long with a system of cronyism, unelected quangos and blind-eye attitudes by government to unfettered profiteering by bankers and big developers. Public Procurement for instance is worth approximately €15billion a year across the island and is presently open to abuse, as uncovered in the NIWater case. The awarding of Public Procurement contracts must be transparent, fair and easily accessible to local contractors.

Public opinion demands a wide-ranging, root and branch reform of all aspects of public life. It is time that the current bureaucratic gravy train system of public appointments, quangos and awarding of public contracts is replaced with one that is non-partisan and accountable. Presently some of the ‘chosen people’ seem to rotate from one unelected body to another. Some individuals serving on multiple quangos simultaneously!

Appointments should be made only on the basis of qualification and objective criteria, not at the whim of government parties on the basis of cronyism or reward for political patronage. All such vacancies should be publicly advertised with applicants required to undergo a recruitment process that is open and transparent.

It is time for the Oireachtas and Assembly to create Public Appointment Tribunals to conduct appointments in the interests of open Government. These Public Appointment Tribunals should comprise a membership which is informed and representative. They could be made up of the Chairs of relevant Oireachtas and Assembly Committees which would not require any additional remuneration and would reflect the paramount principle of public service similar to the demand on those who seek Public Appointments.

It is paramount at a time when public confidence in the political system is at an all time low and the economy in crisis that all measures possible are taken to deliver the necessary change so that government structures and so-called ‘arms-length’ bodies are open and accountable to the people.

We have an unprecedented public mood that provides an opportunity to address weaknesses in public administration and standards in business and commerce that should not be missed. If politicians do not deliver change then the electorate should change its politicians.

Adams and McGuinness meet British Prime Minister in London

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams MP MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA this afternoon met the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London.

The focus of the meeting was to press Mr. Brown to bring forward new proposals on a Bill of Rights which takes account of the advice from both the Bill of Rights Forum and the Human Rights Commission, and includes social and economic protections for citizens.

Mr. Adams said: “We need a robust, enforceable Bill of Rights that will provide rights-based protection for all our people.”

Martin McGuinness raised the delay in the publication of the Saville report describing it as “unacceptable”.

Mr. McGuinness said:

“The imminent announcement of a British general election should not be used by the British government as an excuse to delay the publication of the Saville report. The families have already faced years of frustration in seeking the truth. After 12 years of the Saville Inquiry there should be no further delays. The report should be published.

During the course of the meeting we expressed our dissatisfaction that the families of those killed were not given preferential treatment to the representatives of Shaun Woodward who have sight of the Saville report before the relatives."

Among other matters raised was the role of British intelligence agencies within so-called dissident republican groups, and in particular the circumstances surrounding the murder of Kieran Doherty; the pension rights of Visteon workers and the demand of the Ballymurphy Massacre families for an International Investigation into the murder of their loved ones in 1971.

On Visteon Mr. Adams said: “I pressed Mr. Brown to ensure that the Pensions Regulator carries out an exhaustive probe into Visteon and in particular the transfer of assets by Ford and Visteon out of the pension funds of Visteon workers.

It’s now approaching the first anniversary of the closure of Visteon and the exposure of this scandal. I think those who lost their jobs, those with pension rights and the public at large deserve to know the cold truth and to be assured that those responsible for this scandal will be held to account.”

The west Belfast MP also pressed the British PM about meeting the families of the 11 people shot dead by the British Army in August 1971 in the Ballymurphy area. Mr. Adams said: “The families want an independent international investigation into the deaths of their loved ones and an apology from the British government. The families want the truth.

We have met as a group with the British Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, however his position that the families should leave any investigation to the HET is unacceptable to them and they want to meet the British Prime Minister.

It’s important that the British establishment face up to what was done in its name in Ballymurphy 40 years ago.

Budget shows why the north needs greater economic control and tax varying powers – Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin’s economic spokesperson Mitchell McLaughlin MLA (south Antrim) has said that any boost to the economy in the north is welcome but that ‘economic policies concocted in Whitehall are designed to benefit Whitehall.’

Speaking from Stormont today Mr McLaughlin said;

“The arguments for greater economic control to be developed to the hands of locally elected and responsible politicians is becoming increasingly relevant within the current economic climate.

No British Budget is about easing the burden of citizens here in the north; there must be greater economic control devolved to our local institutions in Ireland, particularly tax varying powers, so that as our political projects matures we can continue in our work to deliver in amore positive way for the citizens we represent.

In particular we need to see the ability to harmonise the economy on an all-Ireland basis to attract greater economic investment in our workforce and their ability to deliver throughout many industries.

The reality is that economic policies emerging from Whitehall are not designed for the long term benefit of the economy or citizens here in the north of Ireland. The ability to control these issues ourselves should be granted to local and accountable politicians.”

Belfast Wheel should stay – Cllr Conor Maskey

Sinn Féin Belfast City Councillor Conor Maskey has criticised the decision to remove the ‘Belfast Wheel’ from its current location adjacent to City Hall.

Speaking today Mr Maskey said;

“I am dismayed at the delay within planning that seemingly has caused the decision to remove or relocate the Belfast Wheel.

The reality is that this attraction has drawn thousands of visitors, tourists and Belfast citizens into the heart of our City Centre and has become immediately identifiable within our city’s landscape.

For those employed at the Belfast Wheel, today’s announcement will leave them in a deeply uncertain situation and it seems their rights have been overlooked in all of this; Sinn Féin will stand by them. Our record in support of the Belfast Wheel initiative within Council has been one hundred percent and we will continue to play our role in ensuring that what has become a much valued city asset is retained for all the benefits is clearly brings.”

McLaughlin welcomes public inquiry into Belfast City extension

Sinn Féin Economic Spokesperson, Mitchel McLaughlin MLA (South Antrim) has welcomed Minister Edwin Poots announcement of a public inquiry into the proposed runway extension at Belfast City Airport.

Mitchel McLaughlin said:

“I supported the demand by residents in East and South Belfast for a Public Inquiry into expansion proposals at the Belfast City Airport and I welcome the decision by Minister Poots to listen to these legitimate concerns and hold such an Inquiry.


“While the residents’ demands are based mainly on social and environmental issues and I support them in their arguments, I believe that there is also compelling economic and strategic reasons why there should be a public inquiry. Stragetically it is a City Airport that should be operated as such with specific regard for the residential developments, close to which it is located and therefore does not lend itself to increased air traffic or larger planes.

“Economically, I do not believe that Belfast City is suitably positioned to cater for the type of route expansion that is required to attract additional air passengers to the region. It is landlocked and in close proximity to residential areas. Although there should be provision for it to compete as a regional Airport – catering for short haul flights - it does not demonstrate the capacity to become an international Airport.

“The public inquiry should include an economic impact assessment of benefits or disadvantages that such proposals would have on the long-term strategic plans for increasing the numbers of international air passengers coming to the Region. I believe that development of Belfast City would be to the detriment of the International Airport and could result not only in a net loss in passenger numbers but the loss of internationally recognisable brand name airlines and therefore damaging potential growth in the Tourism Industry.”

Celebrating St Patrick's Day

A chairde,
Throughout the world, major cities come to a standstill on the 17th March each year to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
The Irish diaspora, in places as far away as Moscow and Beijing, organise events to mark our national day. From the largest cities to the smallest villages in Ireland we come together to celebrate our nationality, our culture, our music and our language.

The contribution that our people have made to the building of other nations is celebrated. After decades of being denied the right to celebrate our nationality and identity in the second largest city in the country, Belfast, major events are now organised both in the city centre and throughout the city. That right was hard fought and hard won.

Unfortunately that positive message was lost on many last year when video images were beamed across the world of drunken young people and others causing major disturbances in the Holyland.

Scenes of young men and women, obviously in a drunken state, being dragged away by their friends, drunken stone throwers wearing the colours of their proud counties sent a negative message of how we mark St Patrick’s Day in Belfast.

We as Irish people have much to be proud of, not least where we have come from and how far along the road of change we have travelled. Not too long ago there was a time when our national colours in whatever form or the wearing of GAA shirts provoked an angry and at times violent reaction in our city centre. We have changed all of that.

There is now a confidence, particularly amongst our young people, which for decades had been suppressed. Events like those, which took place in the Holyland last year do nothing to inspire that confidence. They do nothing to promote or celebrate our identity and culture.

We would like to take this opportunity to appeal to all residents of the Holyland, be they students or other members of that community to celebrate our National day in a way that celebrates and promotes our identity in a positive light. Be mindful that following last years events there are people living around you who will anticipate this St Patrick’s Day with fear and apprehension. That is unacceptable.
Many people have gone to great lengths to ensure that events have been organised to provide the opportunity for you to enjoy and celebrate St Patrick’s Day in a safe and positive way.

We would urge as many people as possible to participate in these events and however you may celebrate our national day, to treat your neighbours and friends with respect and courtesy and to ensure that there is no repeat of the scenes we witnessed last year.

Is sinne le meas
Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Gerry Kelly MLA

Ruane tells unions education is changing for the better

The North’s Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has told the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) that education is changing for the better.

The Minister was speaking at the NAHT local conference held recently in Armagh. The Minister said: “The conference theme of ‘Education Administration at a Time of Change’ is appropriate as I have just put transitional arrangements in place for the period up to the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority. It is essential that we begin streamlining the administration of education to deliver the efficiencies needed during this time of scarce resources.

“We are in an atmosphere of improved political stability and renewed optimism. In the short life of the political institutions there has been an enormous focus on education. I am driving a programme of reforms to change the face of education for the better.

“Equality is the cornerstone of our new education system and at the heart of all my policies. My equality agenda included developing new arrangements to allow children to transfer to post-primary schools without the use of academic selection. The 11 plus has gone and there will be no return to any other such academic testing as part of our transfer procedures.”

The Minister also updated conference delegates on the review of Irish-medium education, the capital build programme, area based planning, the review of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion, the Entitlement Framework and the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.

The Minister said: “Since May 2007 over £500 million has been invested in major new schools projects with many more at various stages of planning. To ensure all are consistent with the overall policy framework I have initiated a review, which will include ensuring we meet our duties on equality and targeting on the basis of objective need.”

The Minister addressed a number of issues highlighted by teacher unions, including the use of substitute cover in schools and the importance of strong leadership in schools. Minister Ruane said: “My Department has advised schools that retired teachers should only be re-employed to provide short term cover where newly qualified teachers or experienced non-retired teachers are unavailable.

“One of the driving forces in education is the strength of leadership in our schools and I would pay tribute to all who have such a vital influence on all our children and young people.”

SDLP vote against GAA community development in North Belfast

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has slammed the decision by the SDLP, at Belfast City Council tonight to vote against the proposed GAA community development in North Belfast at the Cricky Pitch on the Clintonville Road. The much needed development would have seen changing facilities built at the site and the site secured in the long term for sporting use by the local community.

Ms Ní Chuilín said:

“This vote was absolutely the wrong thing to do. The proposal to develop this land was backed by the local primary school, Bunscoil Beann Mhadagáin, a number of north Belfast GAA clubs and the local community. The delivery of such a development was very much needed.

“Currently the site attracts anti social behaviour, there are no changing facilities and children have to change at the side of the road in family cars which is wholly in adequate. Furthermore, in its current state senior Gaelic football cannot be played on the site and the GAA Antrim Camogie board has banned Camogs from using it as they consider it unsafe.

“For years in North Belfast there has been endemic discrimination in terms of resources which Sinn Fein has sought to tackle on behalf of the local community. The SDLP have now thrown their hat in with the people who would deny this community the much needed resources and have reinforced the lack of equality within north Belfast.

“The SDLP need to tell this community how they believed this was not a worthy development, which would have utilised a valuable piece of ground in a built up area, and transformed it into a first class community sports facility for GAA, school and local activities.”

More nonsense from UUP - Kelly

Responding to claims by the UUP that Martin McGuinness ‘threw them out’ of a meeting in his office today, Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly said:

“It probably says much of the current state of the UUP that they go running to the media claiming that Martin McGuinness threw them out of his offices this afternoon. What actually happened was that the UUP requested a meeting with Martin McGuinness, Martin facilitated that meeting. Early in the meeting Fred Cobain stated that he wasn’t at the meeting with Martin McGuinness to listen to anything the Deputy First Minister wanted to say. Martin correctly pointed out that if that was the case there was little point in Mr Cobain continuing to be there. At that point Mr Cobain left the meeting followed in dribs and drabs by his party colleagues.

“I have to say it seems the UUP are determined to remain on the rejectionist hook they have put themselves on. The proposals they put forward last week to undermine the Good Friday Agreement, introduce multiple Executive vetoes and introduce majority rule by the back door are further evidence of this.”

Adams welcomes Executive investment in Gaeltacht Quarter

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was in the Chultúrlann on the Falls Road to meet with groups and organisations based in the pioneering cultural centre. Mr Adams was joined by Junior Minister Gerry Kelly and Cllr Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhín.

speaking during a press conference in An Chultúrlann Mr Adams said;

"It was under the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Task Force that An Chultúrlann was first proposed as a flagship project for the Gaeltacht Quarter.

"For six years, An Chultúrlann has been battling to get the money to push forward this exciting project. Alongside community leaders who have been spearheading the West Belfast and Shankill Task Force agenda, An Chultúrlann has kept campaigning for the investment promised to be delivered."

"I have had intensive communication with the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

With the help of Martin McGuinness' office, we have finally secured from Minister McCausland a commitment to release the funding promised to An Chultúrlann. This will not only be an important injection of investment for An Chultúrlann, which is already the heartbeat of An Ceathrú Gaeltachta. This is also evidence of local delivery of the kind which Sinn Féin has been demanding and which will help to turn the ambition of the Gaeltacht Quarter into a reality.”

Mr Adams was joined this morning by Director of An Chultúrlann Eimear Ní Mhathúna. He continued;

“I commend the diligent work of all those groups based in and around An Chultúrlann who do so much everyday to contribute to the economic, social and cultural life of our city and I commit myself to continuing to support them and the wider west Belfast population in making the vision of An Ceathrú Gaeltachta a reality. Guím gach bhláth agus rath ar an tionscadal seo; go n-eirí libh!

Asked about the comments from Alliance Party Leader David Forde on the Saville Inquiry Mr Adams said;

“Firstly I have no doubt that the remarks will cause deep hurt and trauma to the Bloody Sunday Families and survivors, who have so diligently sought to have the truth of that day known and for justice to prevail; I understand that Mr Ford intends to meet with the families, he should do that without delay and immediately retract what were hurtful and ill-conceived comments.”

SINN FÉIN CHALLENGES SDLP ON CITY HALL EQUALITY VOTE

Sinn Féin criticised other political parties, and in particular the SDLP, after a decision to re-introduce a number of British military plaques in the East Entrance of Belfast City Hall at the Council's monthly meeting last night.

Sinn Féin were the only party opposing the vote as a 'regressive and backward step' in the context of each parties publicly stated positions of obtaining balance regarding City Hall memorabilia and providing parity of esteem for Belfast citizens.

Speaking after the meeting, New Lodge Councillor Conor Maskey said:

"All parties profess to hold the position that they wish to see a 'City Hall for All', yet all of them, except Sinn Féin, voted tonight to re-introduce a number of plaques - mostly of a British military nature - to the building that all ratepayers in the city help pay for.

"Particular criticism must be labelled at the SDLP for backing this regressive and backward step. In our opinion they completely buckled to a Unionist demand to the cost of people they claim to represent, and who currently feel no affinity for the City Hall that is supposed to work on their behalf.

"All other parties, including the SDLP, have shown that they are completely incapable of pro-actively redressing the situation of representative imbalance and ensure all ratepayers in Belfast are treated on an equal basis. Nonetheless, Sinn Féin will continue to work to put into action the vision of a 'City Hall for All'."