Former DUP leader Peter Robinson has used the term 'Planter and Gael' on two separate occasions.

THE term 'Planter and Gael' which last week triggered unionist outrage and loyalist anger was used by former DUP leader Peter Robinson almost two decades ago and on at least one occasion since.

   FORMER DUP leader: Peter Robinson                 with Jeffery Donaldson 

US Congressman Richard Neal, below, was forced to defend his use of the term 'Planter', that describes the Scots/English who settled in the north-east of Ireland during the 17th century plantation of Ulster. Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said he was deeply offended by the term. "You listen to all of that and sometimes you wonder what century Richie Neal is actually thinking through here," Mr Beattie said. "I mean, to come up with Planter and the Gael - have we not moved on?" 

        US Congressman Richard Neal 

When Mr Neal was asked about the negative reactions his comment prompted, he said the terms Gael and Planter were "entirely accurate historic references". The same terminology was adopted by celebrated poets John Hewitt, a Protestant, and John Montague, a Catholic, for The Planter and The Gael, an anthology published by the Arts Council for *orthern Ireland in 1970. 

Mr Robinson used the terms in a speech to what was then his East Belfast constituency branch in 2004. "When I speak of 'our people' I speak of those who share my unionist philosophy and those who do not - I speak of both the Planter and the Gael," he said. He again used the term in a speech in the United States in 2006. "I hope that the sons and daughters of the Planter and Gael have found a way to share the land of their birth and live together in peace," he said. 

With many thanks to: The Irish News and Rebecca Black, PA for the original publication.

Follow these links to find out more on this story and concerning the term 'Planter' and its meaning: Speech by Peter Robinson to the Council of Foreign Relations, New York, (5th April 2006)

Sectarianism - It's Part of unionist culture - it's a tradition thing, a British thing.

Plantation of Ulster

Lord Hain: British government has 'lost critical trust' in the north.

Lord Hain said the Government is no longer trusted in the way it was when led by former prime ministers John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

                   May 26th, 2022.   

     Former NI Secretary of State Lord                 Hain: Has said the current                    Government has 'lost critical trust            as an honest broker' in the region (PA) 

A former Northern Ireland secretary has said the current Government has “lost trust as an honest broker” in the region.

Lord Hain said amid the latest stalemate in the powersharing administration at Stormont that the Government is no longer trusted in the way it was when led by former prime ministers John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

The Assembly is currently unable to function after the DUP refused to nominate a Speaker or ministers until the UK Government takes action to address concerns over the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is opposed by unionists as a border in the Irish Sea.

During a meeting of the House of Lords Northern Ireland Sub-Committee, Lord Hain questioned how opposing positions by the Stormont parties over the post-Brexit arrangements can be brought together without that trust.

He also said the announcement by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss of intended legislation to override parts of the protocol has damaged relations with the EU.

“Frankly, there isn’t the trust that you need for negotiations to succeed,” he said.

“People will make more concessions, in my experience, to HMG if they trust you fully and if they don’t think you will simply pocket those and then up the ante through legislation or 

         Foreign Office Minister James                   Cleverly: Said the Government                 wants to protect the Good Friday              Agreement (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 

Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly responded by saying the Government’s desire is to protect the Good Friday Agreement, get the Assembly running again, and ensure good relations and stable trade across the UK and Ireland.

He acknowledged tensions and “maybe even a degree of distrust”, but said the Government “will find a way of working through that”.

“I think that the landing zone is the fact that, pretty much across the board, there is a recognition that the protocol needs adjusting; even the voices that are most supportive of the protocol accept the fact it is not perfect,” he told the committee.

“The voices who are very anti-protocol, I think their concerns can be addressed if we can demonstrate the changes to the protocol, sort out those pinch points and those concerns, and I think we can demonstrate to those voices the protocol can work for them as well.

“If we can do that, then I think actually we can get the parties back together. I think we have a credible chance of getting the Executive back up and running and striking a deal with the EU.

“There are lots of moving parts and we don’t pretend it is simple or straightforward.”

Mr Cleverly reiterated the Government’s position that its preference is to resolve the issues with the protocol via a negotiated agreement with the European Union.

However, he said the timescale of a legislative Bill to override parts of the protocol without the approval of the EU would be months rather than years.

He said the response from the EU to the legislation was “disappointment rather than anger”, adding that the personal relationships between the negotiating teams “remain cordial”.

Mr Cleverley said there has been no “flinging over the chess table and storming out of the room”.

“I think there is genuinely a desire to get this resolved and there is no desire on either side of the table to have a row about this, but there are issues that need to be addressed… but if we’re able to get a negotiated settlement through the protocol which addresses these concerns we would be more than happy to rely exclusively on that,” he said.

Pressed on the current state of negotiations, Mr Cleverly said a formal date has not been agreed for the next meeting, but insisted there is a desire on both sides to keep talking, and channels remain open.

With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Rebecca Black, PA, for the original publication.

Follow this link to find out more on this story: UK Government has 'lost critical trust' in Northern Ireland, says ex-minister

Almost all firms in NI think the protocol can work says business chief.

THE Belfast-born head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said almost all businesses in *orthern Ireland believe the protocol can work.

VISIT: Tony Danker CBI director-general 

Speaking during a visit to his native city, Tony Danker called for politicians to sit down and make the post-Brexit settlement work.

"I think the politicians like to pick their favourite business story that proves their side of the argument," he told the BBC.

"The reality is businesses almost universally want the protocol to work and they think it could work. That's the truth." The CBI director-general said for businesses involved in manufacturing or exporting, access to both the EU single market and UK internal market "is a great competitive advantage and it's working really well".

He added that while the barriers on bringing goods from Britain to *orthern Ireland are complex and "unnecessary", he said "tweaks" can be made. 

"I actually agree with the taoiseach, they are technical and they are trade oriented," he said. "And with all due respect to the politicians, I think if we could get them around the table, the solutions are there.

"So rather than us having political grandstanding everytime there's a lorry stuck, or every time there's a complaint from a company, let's get some people on the table who can fix the thing, unblock the thing, so that the protocol can work dynamically over the next four years. "Rather than causing a political crisis every three months." Mr Danker also called for the EU to be more flexible on the protocol and urged the British government to stop threatening unilateral action. 

"What we need to do is build trust because I tell you in the last two years, every time the parties have had trust, all the Brexit solutions get done," he said. "Every time they've bred mistrust, things fall apart." 

Born and raised in Belfast, Mr Danker is a former UK government policy advisor. He also held senior roles at Guardian News & Media before being appointed director-general of the CBI in November 2020. 

   British Attorney General: Has stated        the government won't be publishing           legal advice around scrapping the                                NI protocol. 

He told BBC Radio Ulster that the political instability at Stormont remains one of the major disadvantages for the *orthern Ireland economy. He also identified the higher rate of corporation tax in the north compared with the Republic. "You've almost got two hands tied behind your back," he said. 

"And you know what, that's why it's so important that we make the protocol work because the protocol has the potential to give Northern Irish businesses a competitive advantage versus businesses anywhere else."That is a potential competitive advantage that we can't lose sight of. "Not just because it will make businesses more well off, but because it will bring prosperity to *orthern Ireland." 

With many thanks to: The Irish News and Rebecca Black for the original publication.

Follow this link to find out more information on this story and concerning the NI Protocol: When even the Attorney General flouts the law what hope does Britain have - Suella Braverman.

The British Government's top law officer Attorney General Suella Braverman who advised Boris Johnson to rip up the NI Protocol

Business 'almost universally' want protocol to work says CBI chief

Can Sir Jeffrey, the Orange Order and BinLid resuce unionism/loyalism from their last 'Hurrah' with their bowler hats (kinky boots) and umbrellas!

THERE was a karaoke machine; one person drank so much they threw up, two other revellers got into a fight and someone spilt wine up the wall while another inebriate broke a child's swing in the back garden.

          Bowler Hats and Kinky Boots 

All pretty mundane stuff for any party, in any house, except this happened in 10 Downing Street, during a pandemic, while the rest of the country was in strict Covid lockdown. These revelations were part of the report by Sue Gray into 16 separate parties Boris Johnson and his cronies both oversaw and participated in, all while families were denied access to dying relatives and NHS staff, worked to exhaustion, were forced to sleep in hotels, unable to return home.

Not only is Johnson the first serving Prime Minister in history to have been convicted of breaking the law but, under his watch, 126 fines for Covid breaches were issued to 83 individuals, including his wife and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, leaving Downing Street with the ignominious record of having the most Covid breaches in the whole of the UK. 

Over the last six months, everytime Johnson was questioned about 'partygate' his stock reply was, "I cannot comment until the publication of the Sue Gray report." Yet even after its publication on Wednesday, Johnson remained seemingly impervious to its damning findings. Incapable of remorse, his new soundbite became "It's time to move on". As I watched his performance in Parliament, I was struck by his complete lack of shame at having been exposed to the world as a serial liar; God knows, like most normal people, I was embarrassed for him. And that's the crux of the problem: I don't think Boris is 'normal'. I think he's in a completely different class. 

   The British PM: Sinks to a new low just          when you thought he couldn't sink                                   any lower. 

Superficial charm, overinflated self-worth, easily bored, pathological liar, shows no remorse, lack of empathy, callousness, parasitic lifestyle and, finally, an inability to accept responsibility for their actions. Remind you of anyone (Jeffrey Donaldson)? 

While this list of personality traits could pass as a blueprint for Johnson, they're also recognised as those of a narcissistic sociopath.

I'm not saying Johnson is insane; no, he's much more dangerous. He walks among us seemingly normal but he's most definitely not, as he self-evidently lacks much of what constitutes a rounded human being. So, if we're waiting on him to accept responsibility for his actions, we'll be waiting a very, very long time. Our best hope is that the other personality disorders which constitute the Conservative party finally recognise he's more liability than asset and jettison him. 

                    ◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️

EVEN with UK politics lying in the gutter, we're in no position to take the moral high ground. Having gone through a charade of an election we continue to languish in the same situation that existed before, with politicians talking a salary while providing no political representation.

While the DUP remain deaf to the concerns of all sections of our society, there seems little chance of any change despite the NHS, business, education and social care sectors warning of dire consequences if the Assembly remains dormant. Instead, Jeffery Donaldson MP continues to place his faith in Boris Johnson doing 'the right thing' by invoking Article 16 and unilaterally tearing up the NI Protocol.

I'd suggest that following the Sue Gray report and an upcoming Privileges Committee Inquiry into whether he lied to parliament, Johnson may have more pressing worries than the whinging of what he probably views as a bunch of inconsequential 'plastic Paddies'.

According to the Department of Education, one disgraceful consequence of the DUP's inaction is that 98,000 of our most disadvantaged children face 'holiday hunger'.

Without Executive agreement, £22 million won't be released to provide families with payments of £27 every fortnight in lieu of free school meals during the summer. When you consider hundreds of millions lie unspent in Assembly coffers, the injustice of this situation is galling.

Worse, as our children face going hungry over the summer, our MLAs will continue to eat in a subsidised canteen. It was reported in 2020 that the cost of catering at the Assembly over five years was £1m, with £700k having been spent during the three years it wasn't sitting.

With an MLA salary sitting at £55k, I'd suggest they're capable of paying for their own dinners. So, instead of feasting on the public purse, they should release those monies to help cover the shortfall for free school meals over the summer. If they don't, I hope they choke on every unearned mouthful of food they're served.

With many thanks to: The Irish News and Jake O'Kane for the original publication.

Follow these links to find out more on this story and more information on what's going on 'up on the hill': The British Government's top law officer Attorney General Suella Braverman who advised Boris Johnson to rip up the NI Protocol

NIESR have poured cold water on claims made by the Conservative and Unionist Party that the NI Protocol is damaging trade with the UK.

Reality matters very little to the DUP or Johnson

Westminster 'pushing disingenuous claim protocol is incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement'

Jimbo Allister: announces that red and green customs lanes will no satisfy unionist unrest concerning the NI Protocol

Trio arrested in East Belfast UVF drugs probe

COCAINE worth £200,000 has been seized and three men have been arrested as part of an investigation into the East Belfast UVF.

Detectives from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) arrested the men, aged 41, 55 and 64, following searches on Friday.

Cash was seized along with the cocaine. The 64-year-old and 41-year-old were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class-A drug.

The 55-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class-A drug and possession of a Class-A drug with intent to supply. 

A police spokeswoman said the seizure was "substantial and significant". "Those involved with illicit drugs are putting money straight into the hands of paramilitaries, whose only concern is financial gain and control," he said.

With many thanks to: The Irish News and Claire Simpson for the original publication.

Follow this link to find out more information on this story: Belfast Live

International Gymnastics Federation is suggesting athletes from NI denounce their Irish nationality to be able to compete at the Commonwealth Games

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has said Northern Ireland athletes will have to renounce their Irish nationality on their license if they wish to compete at the Commonwealth Games.

.               Rhys McClenaghan 

A second option, the FIG added is for the Commonwealth Games Federation – the international organisation responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games – to remove the competition from the FIG calendar of registered competitions.

                May 27th, 2022. 

It comes amid a backlash from NI sporting bodies and the government after a ruling by FIG determined that Rhys McClenaghan, Eamon Montgomery and Ewan McAteer cannot compete for Northern Ireland.

Commonwealth Games NI described the decision as "reprehensible" and has challenged the ruling, which it says has been made because the gymnasts represent Ireland in FIG events.

They have all been excluded from the Birmingham Games.

Eamon Montgomery: I'd be heartbroken to sit out Commonwealth Games if ban isn’t overturned as I’ve already missed so much

NI gymnast Rhys McClenaghan tells of heartbreak after ban on competing in Commonwealth Games

Now, in a statement to the Belfast Telegraph, the FIG said it received a letter from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on May 16, requesting personal invitations for three gymnasts - Rhys McClenaghan, Ewan McAteer and Eamon Montgomery – to allow them to compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The request to allow these gymnasts who currently hold an FIG license for Ireland (IRL) to compete for Northern Ireland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games was discussed by the FIG Executive Committee during its meeting on May 25.

After deliberation, the Executive Committee rejected this request.

The main rationale for this decision is a violation of the FIG Statutes and rules: gymnasts taking part in any international competition sanctioned by the FIG must have a valid FIG license of the national federation they represent.

A spokesperson said: “In 2017, the FIG had already informed Gymnastics Ireland, along with British Gymnastics, in writing, that gymnasts and judges under the IRL national federation registration with the FIG were not eligible for the Commonwealth Games.

“The FIG realises the challenges this situation brings for all stakeholders and suggested the following options:

The first option would be to remove the competition from the FIG calendar of registered competitions, at the request of the CGF.The second option would be for the athletes to change their FIG license nationality registration.

“The FIG awaits an official decision on the options suggested.

“In the meantime, the FIG will not make any further comments."

There has been criticism of the decision in respect of the Good Friday Agreement and Rhys McClenaghan has spoken of his “heartbreak” at not being able to defend the title he won for Northern Ireland at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast.

Olympic finalist McClenaghan, from Newtownards in County Down, won Northern Ireland's only gold at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast, where Lisburn's McAteer also competed.

In a statement Commonwealth Games NI said "the FIG appear to have completely disregarded the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the unique situation pertaining to Northern Ireland. They are out of step with all of our other member sports."

Commonwealth Games NI's statement made the point that Northern Ireland teams do not compete in FIG competitions, with gymnasts having the option to represent Great Britain or Ireland at international level.

"Historically, Team NI at all Commonwealth Games has included athletes across a range of sports who have chosen to represent either IRL or GBR at European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games.

"We even have athletes within the same sport who have chosen different international performance pathways. This has always been respected and adds to the inclusive nature of Team NI at Commonwealth Games," a spokesperson added.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has also branded the decision “a disgrace” saying it “does not respect the rights of our citizens".

“The timing of the announcement is something that I struggle to understand given that it is so close to the start of the Games," she added. 

With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Garrett Hargan for the EXCLUSIVE original story. 

Six Irish Guards held on drugs and money-laundering offences

MoD says none of soldiers detained will take part in Queen’s platinum jubilee parades. 

          Irish and Coldstream Guards

Six Irish Guards and a Coldstream Guardsman veteran have been arrested on suspicion of drugs and money-laundering offences, the Ministry of Defence has said.

              Friday 27th May, 2022. 

A statement from the MoD press office said: “As part of a planned operation, the Royal Military police arrested six Irish Guards soldiers and a Coldstream Guardsman veteran from across the UK on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs and money lending and laundering offences.

“None of the soldiers under investigation will participate in planned Queen’s platinum jubilee parades.

“The army does not tolerate any type of illegal or fraudulent behaviour. As this is now the subject of an independent Royal Military police investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further.”

The Daily Mirror reported that the suspects were detained on Wednesday during raids in Hampshire, Berkshire, north Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Irish Guards has been the most operationally active unit in the British army over recent years.

The 1st Battalion Irish Guards is set to take part in the annual trooping the colour ceremony on 2 June as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations. The regiment was presented with new colours last week by Prince William in preparation for the event.

With many thanks to: The Guardian and the PA Agency for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: British soldiers arrested on drugs and money-laundering charges

Six Irish Guards held on drugs and money-laundering offences

Westminster 'pushing disingenuous claim protocol is incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement'

Ireland’s foreign affairs minister has accused the British Government of pushing a “disingenuous” and “dangerous” claim that the Northern Ireland Protocol is incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement

                   25th May, 2022. 

                     Simon Coveney 

Simon Coveney told the Irish parliament it is “deeply disappointing” that the Westminster Government plans to move forward with legislation to unilaterally override parts of the protocol.

    Recent survey results on what citizens                of the NI Protocol in 2022.

He said that is against the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, which has embedded Northern Ireland’s peace process. 

I've urged the British Government to reconsider, to weigh the risks that would flow from unilateral action, and to step back from this course of action

The Fine Gael minister said: “The British Government now claim that implementing the protocol, that we agreed together, is incompatible with the Good Friday Agreement.

      Recent survey results of NI citizens              and how the feel about the Good                      Friday Agreement in 2022.

“This is disingenuous and it’s dangerous. I find it deeply disappointing that the British Government has said it intends to table legislation in the coming weeks that will unilaterally disapply elements of the protocol, which is now international law. 

 The DUP have never supported the Good  Friday Agreement and also neither signed    up to the principles of the GFA. So why      are they trying to use it now to drive a          coach and horses through the NI                                    Protocol? 

“This action is contrary to the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, where genuine trust and partnership between both governments have time and time again proved crucial to share progress.

“As the protocol is an integral part of an international agreement, such action would amount to a serious violation of international law also.

“I’ve urged the British Government to reconsider, to weigh the risks that would flow from unilateral action, and to step back from this course of action as they have done previously.

Without the British Government's co-operation and willingness to try to make that work, it's not going to work and the stand-off will continue. 

“Unilateral action is contrary to the wishes of the majority of people and businesses in Northern Ireland.”

In a message to the unionist community, Mr Coveney said the EU has “consistently negotiated” with the British Government to address genuine concerns, and the ball is now in the UK’s court. 

Last week, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced an intention to table legislation at Westminster that would override parts of the protocol without the approval of the EU.

It came amid a powersharing impasse at Stormont created by the DUP’s refusal to agree to form a new devolved executive after the recent Assembly election, until the so-called Irish Sea border is removed.

.   UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss (Niall                              Carson/PA) 

Mr Coveney added: “The onus is on them to indicate if they will move away from unrealistic demands that they know the EU cannot deliver and focus on one issue of greatest concern to the people and businesses in Northern Ireland, which is the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and removing barriers to that trade.

“Without the British Government’s co-operation and willingness to try to make that work, it’s not going to work and the stand-off will continue.

“What I want to put on the record here that this Government, through my office and through others, are already working with the European Commission to try to ensure that we respond to legitimate concerns in Northern Ireland, particularly on this issue of making a significant differentiation between goods that we know are staying in Northern Ireland, being purchased and consumed there, from goods that are at risk of travelling on into the EU single market.

“We can, in my view, make a very significant step forward in meeting the demands of many in the unionist community who want to see unnecessary checks gone on goods that are staying within the United Kingdom. But again, without a partner it’s hard to find a way forward.”

The protocol is being used and abused by the DUP, ably abetted by the British Government, in an attempt to hold back the tide of equity and change within the north of Ireland. 

During a debate on the protocol in the Dail, Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway-Walsh said most British people are “embarrassed and deeply concerned” about the implications for Britain’s global reputation after threats to override an international agreement.

“The mechanisms for dealing with any issues arising from the protocol is the joint committee, as we have said time and time again,” Ms Conway-Walsh said.

“Other issues can be dealt with in the same way. The truth is that the protocol is being used and abused by the DUP, ably abetted by the British Government, in an attempt to hold back the tide of equity and change within the north of Ireland.

“They just cannot accept the democratic outcome of the recent election. They cannot accept that the days of the sectarian mantra of ‘no nationalist need apply’ are over.”

Labour’s Brendan Howlin accused Westminster of exploiting the issue of the protocol.

He also told the Dail that the British Government is being abetted by the DUP for its own political purposes.

Earlier this month, Sinn Fein won the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly, the first time a nationalist party has claimed the largest number of seats.

“The electoral earthquake has been the growth and consolidation of the central ground around the Alliance Party, which more than doubled its seats from eight to 17,” Mr Howlin added.

“This has come at the expense of two seats from the DUP, but mostly gains made from other centre-ground parties – the SDLP, the UUP and the Greens, they all lost seats to the Alliance.

“We must consider what this will mean for the future of Northern Ireland. Hopefully, it will deliver a more progressive politics.”

With many thanks to the: Impartial Reporter and the PA News Agency for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: Jimbo Allister: announces that red and green customs lanes will no satisfy unionist unrest concerning the NI Protocol

Two-thirds 63% of NI think Brexit has made a United Ireland more likely

THE Good Friday Agreement (GFA) will 'NEVER' be Renegotiated and UVF Intimidation will not Achieve the Removal of the Protocol

Unionism must accept the Protocol is here to stay it is the consequence of Brexit