A Long Lunch
MLAs had been due to debate health matters today, with the DUP proposing two motions critical of the Ulster Unionist Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. However both had to be dropped at short notice as the minister had more urgent business - a video conference with Downing Street and his counterparts elsewhere in the UK on the threat of "swine flu".
Proceedings were therefore curtailed this morning after an Agriculture statement from Michelle Gildernew, with MLAs breaking for an early lunch about 11.30 am. Not before, however, the Deputy Speaker David McClarty got into a spot of bother with the DUP and Sinn Fein. Edwin Poots accused Mr McClarty of discriminating against him because he had not called the Lagan Valley MLA to speak even though he had made it into the chamber just as Ms Gildernew was drawing to a close.
With Sinn Fein also weighing in, the row boiled down to whether an MLA had to be present for a "substantial part" of a minister's statement or just a "part". The matter will be passed on to the Speaker for his judgement.
Over at the Electoral Office, near St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast, the European campaign is now officially up and running with a number of the candidates handing in their nomination papers. Over the next few weeks we shall be hearing much more about Steven Agnew of the Greens, Jim Allister of the TUV, Bairbre De Brun of Sinn Fein, Diane Dodds of the DUP, Alban Maginness of the SDLP, Jim Nicholson of the Ulster Conservative and Unionist New Force and Ian Parsley of Alliance. Who will top the poll? Who will retain their seat? Will Colin Duffy's name be added to the ballot paper?
UCUNF have settled on "Conservatives and Unionists" as a short hand description. Which may be just as well as they wouldn't want to get confused with any of the which have previously surfaced elsewhere in Europe.
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