An interesting (if perhaps a little doubtful) take on the ongoing Justice Minister saga...
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opini ... 30609.html
If you consider that handing the job to an Ulster Unionist or member of the SDLP would be giving a boost to a political rival, you could see the DUP or Sinn Fein being tempted to exercise their veto to keep them out.
So could Brian Wilson, the lone Green member of the Assembly, be the default choice on the basis that he offends the least?
"What about young Dave, son of Icy Dave, the local Ice Cream man, do you think its really neccesary to nationalise his Ice Cream Van?" - Kf
But don't you have to have enough members to get into the cabinet, under d'Honte? The Greens only have one.
If there is a future, it will be Green.
Actually, i think D'hondt is about who gets to nominate not who gets to serve. So SF or the DUP could nominate the green MLA.Originally Posted by QuizMaster
Dan Sullivan. I was back but we still couldn't all have a vote.
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D'hondt is used on the basis that executive posts are divided out on the strength of the parties, however, the justice minister post does not have to be appointed under d'hondt, after all, it still wouldnt be an alliance minister if this was so - the sdlp would be next in line if d'hondt was used.
"Yeah, well, there's a mirror in the toilet if you want to go in there and talk to them." - Brian Cowen responding to Martin McG - "We'll have to consult the army council on this"
Would the Greens be interested? It would mean they were in Government North and South! Green, in a different sense!
RIRA not in my name-Traitors to Ireland MMcGuinness; People are entitled to cultural & social equality MLMcDonald; We have a length to go understanding unionism GAdams
Would he have any relevant qualification for that job?
That could be greatThink even Brian might baulk at the prospect! Tough job, whoever has to take it.
"Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable."
John Galbraith
Economic Left/Right:-8.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian:-6.97
I don't think that a party with 1.7% of the vote should be handling one of the most important departments in Northern Ireland. (No offence to any greens)
Ministerial positions are to be shared out in accordance with party strength and the next party to get a ministry should be the SDLP.
Yes the prospect of an SDLP Justice Minister must really gall SF and the DUP but if they use their vetoes on this then it just proves that they don't actually give a damn about power sharing or the GFA and are only there to look after their own interests.
We should be shaping an Ireland based on full respect for the human and civil rights of all our people, an Ireland of which Larkin and Connolly would be very proud.
Sean Farren
What a silly suggestion. Although, in the Republic a ridiculous non-entiy party with 2% support controls the bigget spending Government department! So rule nothing out.
The best result across the board would be if the Alliance took it. I don't understand their objections. Presume they want to remain as the official opposition.
I hope the SDLP get it though. It would be a boost to them, and also I would trust them far more than the Shinners with it, and also the UUP, who may be less than partial as well, albeit in the opposite direction
Of course they don't give a damn about power sharing or even the people they represent other than ensuring enough of them vote them in again. It is pure self interest and it helps to ham string anyone who is a potential political threat. NI politics at its basest.
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