Northern Ireland: Have your say

Return to the Politics Show Northern Ireland home page here...

Sunday 5 October 2008

On Sunday 5 October 2008, Martina Purdy reported on the slings and arrows of the current Stormont impasse. .

In the studio Jim Fitzpatrick chaired a debate on the future of post-primary school transfer with Neil Morton, the principal of Portora Royal School in Enniskillen and Sir Ken Bloomfield of the Association for Quality Education. On the 40th anniversary of the ill-fated Civil Rights march in Londonderry, the historian, Dr Simon Price, gave his interpretation of events that day. .

Here are some of your comments... An excellent article well thought out. Mr Paisley, the cause of all Mr Robinsons woes, is no longer in the picture; it would appear that the stab wounds are running deep. Peter being his own man has been a big mistake for Peter and the DUP. The few supporters within the party that Mr Robinson has are not political enough to run a council never mind a country. By continuing their support they are thinking of promotion but look what happened to old Edwin Poots for supporting Mr Paisley.

The big guns in the DUP are waiting for the crucial party vote that will produce a stalking horse to challenge Peter Robinson, until then the DUP are having an awful time trying to convince the DUP voters that they are on top. Sinn Fein have them turning in circles. Wee Jeffrey has been sent to the Party Conferences on the mainland and his utterances there have made him the laughing stock of Unionism. Here we had another little man like his master Peter full of ambition but behind the scenes the stage is empty. Mr Allister has the DUP in a greater spin than Jeffrey, the heavy weights have sent in Simon Hamilton to try and politically destroy Mr Allister. Again another of Peter's lightweights has no political knowledge to cause Mr Allister to lose sleep, remember they tried it with poor old Edwin Poots and Mr Allister left him in verbal and political ruins.

The DUP have only themselves to blame for their want of power, this is not power over the Sinn Fein pact they entered into, but power over a weakened UUP. The DUP wanted to rub the noses of their fellow unionists into the dirt and they did just to become power sharers with their biggest enemies, Sinn Fein IRA. The electorate has not forgotten these Lundy tactics. So roll on the next election when the people cannot be DUPed as to Never, Never, Never.
David H, Northern Ireland.

Can Neil Morton really give to Fermanagh, a Protestant education on a Protestant site?
Anon.

Has Caitriona Ruane emigrated?
Steve, Belfast.

What was wrong with the 11+? The children were doing well on it.
Anon.

Is Portora now a comprehensive? Well done St Michaels for taking the stand.
Anon.

The DUP have to understand that they're not the only party in NI.
Anon.

I was educated under the Dickson Plan in County Armagh. Why can this successful initiative not be extended to the whole of the province of Northern Ireland?
Trevor, Portadown.

A man told me after the first Dungannon civil rights march it wouldn't stop until a united Ireland. Later his two brothers were IRA. What did he know we didn't?
Anon.

An excellent solution; let the grammar schools set their tests. Parents can then decide if they want their child to sit the test.
Mac.

Ruane has not a clue. She is destroying the excellent education standards that are the best in these islands.
Sean, Newry.

Why are there no politicians on the programme to present a public view?
Anon.

I wonder who will be voting in the EU election when our politicians can't sit down and talk about the high raise of electric and fuel. These are the REAL bread and butter issues. I won't be voting as a Catholic.
<B>Doire mother.

Where are civil rights today when there is four fellas from Derry in a Free State jail being interned by remand?
Anon.

Can't see why Shinners make such a big deal of the Irish language. We need a language act. We have Irish, English, Welsh, Vietnamese, Scottish, Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, Portuguese, Polish, Latvian, and Lithuanian to name a few people living here. They all have a voice. I didn't mention Arabs, Jews and all the other African people in residence. What is the big deal on Irish?
Anon.

You can add your voice to the debate every Sunday by texting 81771 or complete the email form below.

---

Let us know what you think.

---