03/12/2013
Joining Noel Thompson to debate all the week's big talking points, with a studio audience, are: MLAs Arlene Foster, DUP, and John O'Dowd, Sinn Fein; Alliance MP Naomi Long, PUP leader Billy Hutchinson and artist Rita Duffy.
Last on
SPOTLIGHT SPECIAL PANEL, TUESDAY DECEMBER 3rd 2013
ARLENE FOSTER DUP MLA
JOHN O鈥橠OWD SINN F脡IN MLA
The Minister has served as an elected representative for 15 years and is currently in his third term as an MLA for Upper Bann.
He is hoping to push through the creation of a single Education and Skills Authority (ESA) which will help the management of the education system. With more than 14,000 responses, the education reform has generated greater public interest than any other consultation on education since devolved government was restored.
He had pursued a career as a chef prior to his time in public office and is a father of three.
NAOMI LONG ALLIANCE MP
BILLY HUTCHINSON
RITA DUFFY
A SELECTION OF YOUR COMMENTS
With Judge Smithwick rejecting IRA evidence, what confidence can we have in a truth process?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
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There's a reason they don't have discussions like this now in South Africa. Why? Because they had a Truth Commission. Simple. 鈥廆liamocoinn 听
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Unionists shouldn't gloat over the findings of Smithwick. Think about RUC, British Intelligence and loyalist paramilitaries. 鈥廆academic_anon
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There was no evidence to back this up. The judge offered no proof that the IRA men were lying. There are no clear facts in this report. Vincent, Rosslea
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If we had a Truth Commission, would we get the truth from the British or would it be covered by 鈥榮ecurity issues鈥? Matt, Wiltshire
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Why were all parties so quick to dismiss John Larkin鈥檚 comments on the past?
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Once again all the parties are going around and around. 听We have to move on, are we are going to stay in the past? Ed, Warrenpoint
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Over 3000 unsolved murders, It's not an amnesty that's required, it's a competent investigative police force! 鈥廆PaulMac_11 听
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John Larkin has spoken some truth, in so far as keeping looking back is like picking at a sore that will never heal. Anon.
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So much hurt and hate in name of religion.听 We are all under the same sky! Geoff, Ayr.
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Sinn Fein - tell the truth now, stop waiting on your 鈥榞et out of jail free鈥 card.听 鈥廆jock_nelson
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I have no confidence that people who murdered in cold blood would tell the truth in a Truth Commission. Easy to kill, easier to lie. 听@Pacman4370
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A convicted murderer can become a politician, but they can鈥檛 join the police. It鈥檚 not right. David, Belfast
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There will never be truth, or peace - the way it鈥檚 going, it鈥檚 tit for tat. Gerard, Newry
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Victim鈥檚 families deserve the truth and hopefully, justice one day. 鈥廆颁补谤濒冲惭67
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If we all don't deal with the past, then it will always be a part of our future. Sean, North Belfast.
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Should we follow the example of Canada in 1965 with a new iconic flag for Northern Ireland?听
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I agree we should have a new flag. The sooner the better. Margaret, Carrickfergus
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We can have a Northern Ireland flag, like Scotland, England and Wales and fly the Union Flag over our government buildings, like Scotland England and Wales. Peter, Lisburn
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My granddaughter says there should be only be one flag flying on City Hall: a white flag for peace. Mary, Belfast
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What constitutional resemblance does the Irish Tricolour bear to this country? Northern Ireland is a British state! 鈥廆bear_rfc_1872
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Will we have a flag for all the minorities who live here? John, Belfast
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The Cross of St Patrick couldn't be divisive. Some unionists don't have the confidence to break the symbolic umbilical cord of the Union Flag and they need to be more courageous. Chris.听
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Ask Dr Haass what would happen in USA if the people were told to take their flag down. Rob, Antrim
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Why not fly the European flag in the middle and the Union Jack and Tricolour either side at City Hall? Dinky, Carryduff
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People are missing the point. Haass is suggesting a starting point of neutrality and equality for this country 听Rab, Belfast
So despite all the flags I see every day, there isn't actually a Northern Ireland flag. How ironic! 鈥廆mgvsmith
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There is a border between the south and north of Ireland and if they want to change that, then we are one of the provinces of Ulster, so let鈥檚 have the Ulster flag - it鈥檚 good enough for the Rugby team. Richard, Whitehead
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All nationalists and republicans are proud of the Red Hand - 听it's our history, loyalists don't understand this. 鈥廆sharkattack686 听
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Is the UVF ceasefire still intact?
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Paramilitaries are an affront to democracy, actions to tackle them should have full cross party support. 鈥廆rowangibney
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If the UVF has disbanded, who are the thugs that paint the UVF murals in East Belfast? 听Michael
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Republicans are involved in shootings and bombings day and daily, yet as always the media focus on one organisation. It's a case of, if in doubt, blame the UVF. 听Jimmy, Belfast听
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The dogs in the street know the UVF ceasefire is over, how can Billy not?? Shane, Lurgan
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Is Gerry Adams now a liability to Sinn Fein and Republicanism, both north and south?
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Adams is a disgrace, he should go. Crawford, Falls Road 听听
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Without Gerry Adams there would be no peace here. So many lives saved. John, Fermanagh
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As someone who voted Sinn Fein for 28 years, I never would again. Condolences to the families of the Disappeared. Mairtin, Belfast.
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Can we scrutinise all our politicians in the same way we are scrutinising Gerry? They wouldn鈥榯 stand up to it. Gavin, Belfast
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Sinn Fein is a cult! Look how they operate.听John, Doagh.
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Gerry Adams, a great man and a great leader; he has done so much for Ireland. Joe, Kilwilkie听
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If Scotland is an independent nation in 2016, where does this leave Unionism?
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Why would Scotland want to distance itself from the English Conservatives and this shower we have here?? @connal99听
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Scotland - the actual catalyst for constitutional change. This is when unionism is going to have a seriously tough time. @kukondo
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Give Scotland, Ireland and Wales independence - leave the English on their own, see how they fare. Anon
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I believe Scotland can achieve independence and it could bring Unionism to a new understanding, that the Union isn't everything. 鈥廆AislinnBunting
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Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Noel Thompson |
Participant | Arlene Foster |
Participant | John O'Dowd |
Participant | Naomi Long |
Participant | Billy Hutchinson |
Participant | Rita Duffy |
Producer | Elaine Forrester |
Editor | Jeremy Adams |
Broadcast
- Tue 3 Dec 2013 22:35麻豆官网首页入口 One Northern Ireland HD & Northern Ireland only