Is Pól Callaghan the 13th Warrior??

Who says social networking sites are not productive?

Pól Callaghan was the only one left in the race to replace Mark Durkan in the Assembly (see here for a little of what has happened to the Foyle SDLP).  

The official selection meeting was tonight and it has now been confirmed that Pól is the man for the job via the SDLP Facebook page. 

I wish him all the best.  I have known Pól for a while and I reckon he is up for the challenge.

Now, by my reckoning this makes Pol the 13th 'Warrior' or unelected MLA.  Unlucky for some, but I am sure Pol will pull it off.  

And all just in time for the SDLP conference this weekend in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast.

Working 9 to 5 (for your expenses)

Yes, it has been picked up elsewhere, but i thought it an interesting piece to bring up again.


The Belfast Telegraph picked up an interesting issue from the Irish Independent on the 'clock in, clock out' instituted in the Oireachtas.


From the beginning of March TDs and senators had to start clocking in for work.  This is part of the new expenses regime, requiring the representatives to clock in to claim allowances such as travel and overnight rates.


The Oireachtas politicians will now have a fob to tag themselves in at at Leinster House campus and they have to be on site 80% of the time in order to claim their allowances.


I love the tongue in cheek reporting from the Irish Independent.

It took a year to get this far on the issue, in the face of protests from some members.


The oireachtas chiefs have thought of everything, even closing the 'I don't know how to use the new system' loophole which may have cropped up. For those elected representatives who are technologically challenged, an old-fashioned way of signing in -- with a book and a pen -- will be available in the Leinster House 2000 extension.


Politicians should be advised that this is not a book of condolence for the recently buried political careers of Willie O'Dea, Trevor Sargent, Deirdre de Burca and George Lee. Neither is it a petition to get Taoiseach Brian Cowen to call an election or a recruiting post for the Tanaiste's newly founded Kildare Street branch of the Irish Feminist Movement.


Also unsubstantiated are rumours that Government Chief Whip Pat Carey asked for electronic ankle tags to be put on all TDs so he could pinpoint their precise locations. Mr Carey has had to put some manners on errant Fianna Fail TDs who have been missing for votes, such as Castlebar's finest, Beverly Flynn.

Great satire indeed.


I wonder if something similar is being looked at for our own Assembly? Would that help to increase the issue of public confidence in our political institutions?

fun at Slugger awards 2009

I had the great pleasure to be at the Slugger Awards 2009. It was really packed in the Black Box, Belfast and the atmosphere was fairly buzzing.

This was the first one i had been at and i was not entirely sure what to expect.

Though it was a wet night, there was recreational rioting, Bob the Builder switching on the Christmas lights, and something going on in the Reform club.

I did not mind the rain getting there to Black Box, recreational rioting is too much like exercise, I prefer Songebob Squarepants, and I wasn't invited to the Reform Club. So Sluggers is was for me!!

Tim McGarry was in fine fettle as compère for the evening and the place was quite packed.

We were all given an electronic voting pad thing that, as with all things technological that you really depend upon to make a good impression, fails miserably! Ah well.

I did really enjoy the night as it was full of bumping into friends and colleagues, but mostly political anoraks. It was a good night all round and many congratulations to Mick fealty and his team.

I see there has been a lot of banter on the issue of who was nominated, shortlisted and who won. But then all awards ceremonies like this can only have one winner in each category and it would probably be a bit silly to apply the D'Hondt system to the Slugger Awards. But then again that would be a bit of fun. Looking at the winners though the DUP, the UUP, and Sinn Fein picked up 'gongs' whilst Dawn Purvis MLA of the PUP picked up the MLA of the Year.

Overall an interesting mix, and it was good to see 'Alan in Belfast' winning Blogger of the Year. Well done Alan!

Looking forward to next years awards already.

Below you will see the list of winners for 2009

• Up-and-Coming Politician of the Year: Simon Hamilton MLA
• Local Newspaper of the Year: Dungannon News & Tyrone Courier
• Local Council of the Year: Down District Council
• Local Councillor of the Year: Cllr Cara McShane
• MLA of the Year: Dawn Purvis MLA
• Campaign of the Year: Employers for Childcare Vouchers campaign
• Participation and Involvement Award: Public Achievement
• Journalist of the Year: Julia Paul
• Political Blogger of the Year: Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast)
• Committee Chair of the Year: Fred Cobain MLA
• Politician of the Year: Martin McGuinness MP MLA

Alan in Belfast picking up his award

Dawn Purvis - MLA of the Year