Ivor, let me add some speculation too: Jeffrey Donaldson to DFP (reward for giving up Westminster), Arlene Foster to stay put, Peter Weir (a former NILGA President and barrister) to DoE, Edwin Poots back into DCAL (Maze killed off in his absence) ...
Seamus McAleavey (CEO, NICVA) made a good point on GMU (Radio Ulster) this morning about the need for a 'national government'. Seamus McKee riposted: 'But don't we have one already?'. 'No' came the response ' we still have opposing parties and min...
Perhaps the minister continues to watch CrunchTalk, after her live web chat?
Today she just announced:
"The Department for Social Development (DSD) will make Household Fuel Payments week commencing 6 April 2009.
Making the announcement the Minis...
The business outlook for many businesses in NI from a CforC perspective is far from good at the moment. There are a large number of companies (SME's) requesting help - can't get extended credit, others need help with marketing & selling while others have significant process improvement needs. More lay-off's expected in 1st Qtr of 2009. SME's outside the InvestNI client portfolio are at a greater risk. Government's credit crunch response policy needs to kick into action urgently or there will be more deaths in the industrial and commercial sectors. More, faster actions needed to get the construction sector moving again with new opportunities in the renewables / carbon reduction / environmental sectors.
Well, Obama just chose a neighbor and acquaintance as Sec. of Education. Arne Duncan - the head of the Chicago state schools. Young guy - in his 40s. We have 2 pretty good friends who work closely with the guy although there is no indication that they are being offered gigs in DC (Deputy Assistant Undersecretary - sounds better than Jr. Minister).
Hannah is not enamored of him policy-wise. Of course administering a huge (400,000 students) school system, where about 70% of the students are from difficult backgrounds - either economically, socially, or both - is very different than working on national education policy. Duncan is something of an unknown on that level - we'll see what he does.
There is a war going on in Democratic party circles around primary and secondary education between the teachers union and "reformers" who want even more testing, more teacher "accountability" which is code for blaming teachers when bad schools stay bad - a canard given the issues that teachers are dealing with. Something like 30 Chicago students - mainly in high school, but some younger were killed in the 2007 - 2008 school year.
Meanwhile, our hilarious governor scandal grinds on. In the long run it won't affect Obama - he has been creating distance between him self and Gov. Blag for years now. Everyone knew that the Blag saga would end badly. of course there are lots of photos with Obama and Blag together - he's the friggin governor of the state - and the right has (of course) grabbed hold of that, but it won't have legs - we have much, much bigger problems that having a crook as governor of Illinois!
Any rumors on your end as to what Obama's Ireland/NI policy will be or who he will choose to run it?
Well I really couldn't have accepted your surprise present for being 100th. Actually it is a bit shameful that I came in as late as 98th. Thanks for all your help with the site.
Yes, I thought it was interesting that you didn't post a pic, mine is quite sad but it was the only one I could find on the PC. I supect the choice of a chair as your preferred image has some deep psychological significance but then I might get into some traumatic early potty training experiences: God! I thought I forgotten all that psycho babble from teacher training.
I think the idea of some social enterprise chatter would be interesting and I will try to encourage a few others to sign up - so watch this space.
At 12:08pm on December 15, 2008, John McMullan said…
Just joined and good to see a friendly face - John
In the latest of a series of Thought Leader events, The Presidents' Club has the pleasure of hosting a significant political leader who is deeply involved in the supporting and encouraging business on an all-island and International basis.
We wil...
Business leaders in Northern Ireland have told Assembly members that providing good public services and building a quality infrastructure can be achieved only through a stronger private sector.
In a series of briefings to MLAs at Stormont today, ...