Andrew McCormick
@AGMcCormick
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Retired Northern Ireland Civil Service Permanent Secretary. Chair of European Christian Mission Ireland. Enjoys Bach, granite and tourism as an extreme sport.
Bangor Northern Ireland
Joined May 2011
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It is a demonstrable fact that at no stage before February 2021 did the Johnson government say that the Protocol was unsatisfactory or temporary. See and also Hansard for 9/12/20.
I finally had the opportunity to set out my views on the Windsor Framework for Northern Ireland in the
@UKHouseofLords
today.
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My paper on the 1998 Agreement and Brexit for the Constitution Society
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Johnson's choice is explicit in the letter and paper he sent to the EU that led to the Protocol 👇👇.
@DavidGHFrost
has tried to rewrite history before, but the facts remain stubbornly in view.
When she belatedly realised that there was a choice between not threatening the union and hard Brexit, May’s choice was not to threaten the union. Johnson and
@DavidGHFrost
made a different choice. They should own it.
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Saw this last week - aghast that anyone with the power to change this can live with themselves, knowing the scale of pain that these statistics express. Only
@NIOgov
and
@duponline
have any power to make a difference, and that means they are responsible.
Exclusive analysis by our
@FactCheck
team shows just how bad things are getting in Northern Ireland’s health service.
The number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E is now 36 times higher than it was in 2009.
@C4Ciaran
reports.
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Yes, some truths in the Lords. But the whole truth also includes the facts that: no better alternative to the WF exists in the real world; UK/EU agreement is more important than unionist views; and the evidence shows that a majority in NI consent to it.
Baroness Hoey says "we want straight talking and honesty" from the DUP over the Irish Sea border
#NolanLIVE
|
@BBCiPlayer
|
@CatharineHoey
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I worked for Sir George in Department of Finance in the 1980s - a giant in intellect and in commitment to Northern Ireland who saw new opportunities north south while making an enormous contribution to our economic development within the UK.
@ArleneFosterUK
Embarrassing that a former enterprise minister wouldn't have heard of Sir George Quigley, who is in fact credited with developing the concept of the island economy. If you think crass sneering at same is the way to woo soft nats and middle ground to the union, good luck to you.
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Strongly agree with
@hayward_katy
- far better to have the constitutional position as agreed in 1998, than an approach that only unionists and Conservatives support.
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Here are some key points from my article in
@TheHouseMag
, which is entitled “We must continue to honour the compromises of The Good Friday Agreement to ensure long-lasting stability within Northern Ireland and between the two parts of Ireland" a thread 1/9
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I don’t doubt the authority of John Larkin KC’s legal opinion on the Windsor Framework. But the issues are historical, political and constitutional as well as narrowly matters of interpretation of the law as it stands. (1/7)
The Centre for the Union is proud to publish independent legal advice on the 'Windsor Framework' from former Northern Ireland Attorney General, John Larkin KC as well as our own summary and a foreword from our Parliamentary Chairman, Ian Paisley MP.
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So without having voted Conservative, we get the defining Conservative policy - low taxes for the middle classes as higher priority than public services. And the only party opposing this is the Conservatives. 🤷♀️🤷♂️
@JP_Biz
@MargaretCan
@chhcalling
LATEST | FM and dFM rule out 15% rates increase for Northern Ireland
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The sceptics’ intellectual honesty is strong but incomplete - factually, no better alternative to the WF exists in the real world, UK/EU agreement is more important than unionist views, and the all the evidence shows that a majority in NI consent to it.
The 3 key DUP sceptics in the party's officer team includ'g Sammy Wilson
@eastantrimmp
write in today's paper that the 7 tests haven't been met, there's still an Irish Sea border. In another essay Gavin Robinson
@GRobinsonDUP
says not. News report here 1/3
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This is indeed a very important and insightful piece. UK Government's behaviour has been horribly irresponsible. Well said, Colin!
You should ignore this article, it's about devastating budget cuts in NI and the invidious position of the NI Civil Service. That's what every national newspaper in IE and GB did when I pitched it. But thanks to the fab
@fortnight50
team it will be out in print next week:
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Many thanks to the NI Bureau this is really appreciated. Thanks not least for using such an old photo.
We’re delighted that Dr Andrew McCormick
@AGMcCormick
DG International Relations has been awarded a CB in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Andrew has made a huge contribution to the international work of the Executive over many years. Many congratulations Andrew!
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@JulianSmithUK
UK govt had two years when it could have acted on this issue, but ducked it (eg regional rate increase below inflation last year). The new Executive has every right to decide not to raise more revenue without pressure from UKG if...1/2
@JP_Biz
@SJAMcBride
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@BelTel
report of yesterday at the European Scrutiny Committee includes this comment by
@JamesCleverly
👇I have written or spoken about this issue for
@Con_Soc
@IIEA
@UKandEU
and
@CambridgeIOI
. A thread 1/10
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So am I, and what I saw then was the UUP and the SDLP doing high-risk heavy lifting to make the place work. Important to focus on the positives now, especially that the DUP and Sinn Fein are working together without compromising their respective worldviews.
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There is no easy post-Brexit arrangement available. The absence of the institutions damages unionists’ interests more than anyone else’s. If the Windsor Framework is rejected, what hope is there of anything better? See also: (7/7)
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Excellent and hard-hitting commentary. The UK government’s grotesque abdication of responsibility is contrary to the interests of the people. Democratic accountability is essential to protect against abuse of power. 1/2
@NIOgov
@chhcalling
🚨NEW Pivotal Briefing published this morning - 'Governing without Government'. The Briefing looks at the consequences for decision-making in Northern Ireland of having no Executive, ministers or Assembly. Read the Briefing here
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Many thanks John - that was five years ago but very good to see the idea being worked through and tested against both sides’ room to manoeuvre.
The official (
@AGMcCormick
) who first came up with green lanes & red lanes (they were called channels back then) says the new deal is better in 'practical, constitutional & presentational terms' than the backstop or the protocol
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A vital message from
@hayward_katy
which matters in many contexts across the world but exceptionally relevant and timely for Northern Ireland.
We are delighted to publish our first piece from a guest writer on Pivotal Platform.
@hayward_katy
states the case for a renewed focus on key democratic principles, in an important year for democracy at home and internationally.
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I think this is very seriously unfair on the NI Civil Service. It’s difficult enough to stand up to Ministers behind closed doors. What good would “guile” do? And who is in any doubt as to where responsibility actually lies?
Decisions by the NIO have been central to the fiscal anarchy the SoS now claims he’s clearing up — and it’s creating fresh problems with how it’s doing that. But the NI Civil Service has shown no guile whatsoever, doing the SoS's bidding without an order.
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Glad to have had another opportunity to look ahead positively to the new Executive working towards agreement and ownership of a joint Programme for Government and Budget - shared responsibility is the key.
@IoDNI
@bbctheview
@CO3updates
@PivotalPPF
We were happy to join with the
@IoDNI
today in a briefing on the Assembly, Executive and how best to engage meaningfully. Thanks
@AGMcCormick
for joining us.
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Excellent article - this deep crisis was foreseeable and foreseen. Well said, Sam
What is happening in Northern Ireland’s collapsing health system is a monumental & preventable scandal: The middle classes can pay for private treatment, but the poor are left to die. Politicians knew this would happen but feared reform would be unpopular.
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Many thanks and best wishes to Andrew and Lynsey in their respective new roles and to all who joined us last night to mark the occasion.
Thanks to colleagues and friends of the office for joining us at our Autumn reception to announce our new Director, Lynsey Moore, and wish farewell to Andrew Elliott as he takes up post at
@NI_Bureau
.
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A very important and timely comment. The 1998 Agreement would not have been achieved without prior “Talks about Talks” to settle the process. A sustainable outcome on the Protocol can only be found by an inclusive process.
🚨🗣"The key players who need to accept and work with the outcome – the parties in
#NorthernIreland
– have never properly been involved."
Sir Jonathan Stephens, former Permanent Secretary
@NIOgov
, on the flaws in the
#Protocol
process 👇
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Awful news - it was a privilege to work with him and to have shared a little in his unique and inspiring way of doing things. Hoping there is comfort and support for his family at this very sad time.
We are so heart-broken to hear of the sudden passing of our wonderful friend & colleague, Norman Houston. A dear friend & a wonderful ambassador for Northern Ireland. We join with his many friends here in North America to send our deepest condolences to Chloe, Connor and family.
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Without doubt a very good day.
Significant day in the re-set of UK-EU relations
EU-UK Joint Committee for the Withdrawal Agreement - and so the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland - meets to adopt decisions etc. on the implementation of the Windsor Framework.
This is the Joint...
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This brilliant analysis by Rory Montgomery is essential reading. It will only be possible to find a good way forward on Northern Ireland post Brexit if the fundamental realities are understood, and Rory explains them superbly.
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@BBCNewsNI
The points about this is in the important thread from
@AmandaFBelfast
should really go without saying. Any legislation to amend or supplement the text agreed in 1998 (👇) requires great care. (1/6)
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@JulianSmithUK
@JP_Biz
@SJAMcBride
…it prefers to defend the consequences of that choice (eg no real progress on waiting lists, robbing something else to fund childcare, etc), and (like the Tories) to let those well-able to keep what they have. That’s devolution! 2/2
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Excellent and thoughtful analysis (no surprise there). A really helpful and important paper.
With the NI Assembly back, MLAs have the possibility to initiate the process for applying the 'Stormont Brake'.
But when can the Brake be used & what are the criteria for using it?
As
@LisaClaireWhit1
& I set out in a new
@PostBrexitGovNI
Explainer...
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My comment in
@BelTel
today👇
@SJAMcBride
@BBCNewsNI
No matter what the situation, abdication is never acceptable
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Excellent analysis of the complex journey we have been on. Highly recommended.
Good Friday Disagreement: Brexit & the meaning of Peace
@RTENews
25 yrs ago the GFA signatories could not have imagined the role it would play in the tortured process of Brexit
Here’s how all sides laid claim to be the defenders of the NI Peace Agreement
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This quotation at the venue, the NI Executive’s Office in Brussels, seemed appropriate this morning.
We are grateful to
@AGMcCormick
for his work on a Briefing Paper entitled ‘What the Windsor Framework/Protocol will mean in practice for the institutions of government in Northern Ireland’, which is now available on our website:
🧵1/
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Excellent article with real “big picture” thinking and a very positive sense of opportunity.
🚨New Article🚨Weekend Supplement🚨
‘Brexit’s biggest irony and Joe Kennedy’s key challenge’
#Brexit
#Ireland
#Europe
#UK
#USA
#EconomicDevelopment
#Equality
#Economy
#Reconciliation
#Stability
#Security
#Envoy
#Strategy
#Global
#Opportunity
#Washington
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Important and well-judged letter. There is no possible defence for going on as we are, in the immensely challenging context. Many thanks to Dave for writing.
My letter to
@chhcalling
, asking for a ministerial direction to be issued to the Northern Ireland Civil Service:
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It was a privilege to share in this opportunity to celebrate all that Norman has done, to highlight our gratitude to him, and to introduce Andrew.
A bittersweet evening celebrating the end of one era and the beginning of another. Wishing Norman all the best, and looking forward to continuing the Bureau’s legacy with new director, Andrew Elliott.
#NorthernIreland
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See (v) in this 👇section of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement “…the power of the sovereign government [ie currently
@NIOgov
] will be exercised with rigorous impartiality….” as I highlighted on Monday.
@Con_Soc
am I the only person who finds it weird that the govt is hosting a press conference with one party leader in NI? and has produced a whole Cmd paper on negotiations with one party. Clearly OK with Sinn Fein and Irish govt -- but just quite odd.
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I’m not a lawyer, but a good quotation from a drama about a lawyer is this: “It will mean what the words say” in response to: “We don’t need to know the wording—we know what it will mean!”
@governmentalite
@JoshuaRozenberg
@JP_Biz
Where to begin? How did the DUP buy into the idea that Article 2, the Protocol/WF provision on the non-diminution of rights, "does not apply to rights-based issues"? Sure, accuse the UK Govt of mis-selling, but probably best not to do so at the cost of your own credibility.
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Essential reading - excellent penetrating analysis that merits serious consideration across the political and geographical spectrum of influencers and leaders.
🚨New🚨Long read🚨
☕️ Weekend Supplement: ‘Time has run short: renewed Ireland-UK partnership - now on pause’
.
“History overtakes hope as electoral timetables and short-term outlooks constrict early opportunities for revitalised Ireland-UK partnership.”
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Exactly - the problem is the way the Protocol issue has been mishandled - UKG made contradictory statements which have become a false excuse for undermining the only settlement in NI that has democratic legitimacy - the 1998 Agreement.
@BrendanRaffer16
@UKParliament
@AGMcCormick
@UKandEU
I think Andrew thinks the dishonesty about it by both HMG and DUP is a bigger one
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Very perceptive analysis here - an important contribution to consideration of the way forward for Northern Ireland.
📢 "In many respects the DUP’s opposition to the Agreement still informs its approach to politics in the region."
🚨 NEW:
@DrAaronEdwards
unpacks different unionist positions on the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, twenty five years on from its signing.
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@UKandEU
@BelTel
Many thanks to
@bbcnewsline
@BBCJayneMcC
for the opportunity to talk about the grotesque irresponsibility of
@NIOgov
over NI public services, as a consequence of their destructive ambiguity over Brexit.
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Is the union of NI and GB not on a stronger foundation through the 1998 Agreement, given that, subject to all the points agreed, it led to (reluctant) acquiescence with partition in the Irish Constitution, and by the Irish republican movement? (6/7)
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Great event with an inspiring group in
@WIPLive
class of 2019 and the wonderful supporters and hosts in DC.
Welcoming the outstanding young leaders of the 2019
@WIPLive
Class to
#DC
. We look forward to working with you this summer!
@IrelandEmbUSA
@niexecutive
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Absurd
@chhcalling
@NIOgov
Stepping back through history, if cross-community support was needed: 2021 - neither Brexit nor the Protocol 1921 - not partition, not home rule nor the continuation of the Union 1800 no Act of Union 1690 no Williamite settlement
So
@chhcalling
you clearly don’t understand the
@BelfastAgmt
Because for the constitutional issue of Irish unity consent (not cross-community consent) must be “freely and concurrently given” in both the North and the South of the island of Ireland and 1/
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Many thanks Richard (and Katrina) really appreciate your good wishes.
Many congratulations to my colleague Andrew McCormick
@AGMcCormick
for his recognition in the Birthday Honours. Andrew continually sets an example to us all about the true meaning of public service. I couldn’t begin to describe how much I learned while working for him in DFP.
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What a noble thought Connor in such a tragic moment for you and for Chloe. Deepest sympathies.
'Within human nature there is a tremendous potential for goodness'
A quote from MLK my Dad earmarked for me in a book over 10 years ago. Few people try and live up to those words but he did.
Really touched by the messages. Who knew a wee boy from Larne could touch so many.
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Hence the Bill is in direct conflict with the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. 10/10
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Was it okay for my Presbyterian ancestors to support Gladstone, who “subjugated” Article 5 of the Act of Union, through the Irish Church Act (1869)? If so, what does that mean for the sovereign right of Parliament to change the the Act of Union today? (5/7)
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100%. As in the long parliamentary struggle over Brexit, what was missing was a process to secure “best available consensus” because tradition, behaviour and even the design of the Commons leans towards confrontation.
Differences between Cons, Lab & SNP over Gaza are tiny. A great pity the respective Whips offices couldn't put their heads together to craft a motion that all could support. Raucous squabbles and faux outrage over Commons procedure make us look like an unserious country
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👇See comments from Sir Malcolm McKibbin,
@DavidSterling7
and me to
@CommonsNIAC
for their work on the institutions established by the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
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@RichardBullick1
@GRobinsonDUP
I made a lot of these points in seminars for Executive Ministers in September 2002. Then, as now, it is hard to expect any sympathy from UK Ministers when their constituents pay so much more than we do in Council Tax and water charges 1/4
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@TomMcTague
@EuroBriefing
@StefaanDeRynck
Some aspects of the red and green lane idea might have been very difficult to apply in 2018, but it was not the EU that closed down exploration – it was rejected by the DUP and as far as I know, stopped by the UK government. 5/6
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Honoured to speak at Hibernian Society of Savannah on how
@omaghmarines
place in St Patrick’s Day parade helps esteem for British and Irish identities in Northern Ireland
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This hits the nail on the head.
@robertwoolley
@irishagreement
@BBCMarkSimpson
@AGMcCormick
But the most important east west relationship was and is the relationship between the British and Irish Governments,critical to the GFA in 1998. Thinking it was job done, the Tories and the Dublin Coalition dropped the ball and Brexit further muddied the waters.
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Strongly support this - vital to find a way to break the deadlock and focus on solving problems. There is no good reason for either side to object.
so here is a proposal for a new PM - to propose submitting the task of finding a workable way forward to a third party arbitrator to get over the trust deficit that prevents any negotiation.
@UKandEU
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@BBCNewsNI
@AmandaFBelfast
@NIOgov
And the 1998 Agreement clearly superseded the 1800 Acts of Union, and, because of the careful balance it achieved, provided for the first time a basis for the union of GB and NI that was and is accepted very widely. (5/6)
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The Protocol Bill would remove Northern Ireland’s right to self-determination and reassert the primacy of the Act of Union. it is obviously a unionist Bill and hence contrary to the UK’s obligation of rigorous impartiality under the 1998 Agreement 1(v) 9/10
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Fantastic welcome for Omagh PBFB in Savannah - privilege to support this and grateful to all who made this possible from Ireland, UK and
@NI_Bureau
A warm welcome to Savannah from
@savstpatrick
Grand Marshal Jerry Counihan—with
@AGMcCormick
of the
#NorthernIreland
Civil Service, Irish Minister
@davidstantontd
,
@IrelandAtlanta
Consul General Shane Stephens and
@UKinAtlanta
Consul General Andrew Staunton.
#StPatricksDay
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Important and thoughtful contribution.
🚨 New Pivotal report published today about reconciliation and deprivation in Northern Ireland. Read it here 👉
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@JulianSmithUK
@JP_Biz
@SJAMcBride
Typo “those well able to pay” - the amounts of revenue needed are affordable for some in our society - those who gain most from our low rates and absence of water charges.
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Excellent paper - thoughtful, measured analysis of the state we are in. Essential reading.
with news Boris Johnson might be making a come back, good time for
@UKandEU
to publish a stocktake on how far we have got on his 2019 promise to "Get Brexit done" - an in depth look at how the state has adapted to Brexit.
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Lots of inconvenient truths from
@NewtonEmerson
here. The Executive and Assembly need to consider the facts of the context, find a realistic way forward and then share responsibility to explain and defend what they decide.
"Not always, but too often, Stormont parties have spent their plentiful funds on populist giveaways instead of investing to grow the economy"
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15% on the average domestic regional rate bill - about £2.50 a week extra. But businesses, unlike households, are not paying less than UK average so no case for 15% increase. If all the £113m was domestic- c £4-5 a week. Worth it to help health etc??
@gary_ni
@AGMcCormick
@NewtonEmerson
@JP_Biz
@MargaretCan
@chhcalling
A 15% increase in half your rates bill is unlikely to cripple anyone. Let’s have an honest conversation about it without the hyperbole
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@FDAGenSec
@SJAMcBride
Important intervention from
@FDAGenSec
.
@BelTel
A short 🧵 In a democracy, the threshold above which a civil servant could legitimately not comply with a Ministerial instruction is very high indeed. 1/4
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What account does unionist analysis take of the views about the Act of Union of the majority of the people of Ireland, and a very large minority within Northern Ireland, as expressed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries? (4/7)
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Excellent article with balanced and accurate analysis and insight.
✍️ "Last week’s Stormont vote was an important moment in the implementation of the Protocol/Windsor Framework."
🚨 NEW:
@DPhinnemore
unpacks the first test for one of the processes that gives the Northern Ireland Assembly a say on the Windsor Framework.
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How does the concept of consent relate to the Act of Union? Was it not perceived by many as in itself an act of subjugation? (3/7)
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Deepest sympathy Ciaran, Joe was a wonderful colleague. Condolences to you and all the family.
The best of us
(The best tribute I can manage today 💔)
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Very thoughtful and considered analysis. Lots to reflect on for all who seek a constructive way forward.
There is a spectre at the feast of celebration about the Good Friday Agreement that we cannot ignore, no matter how great that agreement was and is. My reflection 25 years on👇
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Big thank you Hugh for all you and your team did - both when I was in DHSSPS and for my family. Very best wishes for the future to you - and to those picking up the baton in the Trust.
Last
@setrust
EMT meeting after 10years. Lucky to work with great people committed to making services safer+better.Thx Charlie
@nickipatters
@charlottemcardl
Neil Seamus
@roisincoulter
John
@MyraWeir
Eamonn
@bria_mongan
Desi
@BrendanWhittle
@i_sutherland
Kate+
@jeanie_johnston
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Excellent paper by Michael highlighting both the positive opportunities now available to NI in the North South as well as the UK context, and the strong goodwill from many key leaders as shown in the quotations he highlights. Strongly recommended!
During our recent seminar in Brussels, CCBS Senior Research Associate Michael D'Arcy responded to Andrew's McCormick's paper on the implications of the Windsor Framework on the NI institutions.
You can read Michael's paper here:
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@BBCNewsNI
@AmandaFBelfast
The 1998 Agreement was a careful and balanced settlement, which led to agreed amendments to both UK and Irish constitutional provisions. The amendment made in 2020 to provide for the consent mechanism…. (2/6)
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@TomMcTague
I would question what
@TomMcTague
says, and
@EuroBriefing
picked up, about the history of red and green channels. My information is incomplete: it is possible that UKG put the idea to the EU in 2018, but two points of fact would seem to contradict that: 1/6
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Excellent comment. Vital that UK government acts responsibly.
Major strike action is taking place in Northern Ireland on the day of the deadline for forming an Executive.
🆕🚨"Northern Ireland is not only in need of more emergency legislation but is showing increasing symptoms of acute crisis" writes
@hayward_katy
.
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@UKandEU
@anandMenon1
@CSBarnard24
@jillongovt
@hayward_katy
@UKHouseofLords
@JoelleGrogan
@kings_eis
@KCL_BritPolGov
@policyatkings
I also set out some views in a previous paper for
@iiea
@BarryColfer
. The ideas from
@jillongovt
and Sir Jonathan Stephens are potentially important.
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More could be done to make the NI rating system more progressive (eg raising or removing the cap; extra protection for those on low incomes etc.). But harder to do immediately - shows why two years of abdication by UK and DUP were so wrong.
@brendanbelfast
@gary_ni
@AGMcCormick
@NewtonEmerson
@JP_Biz
@MargaretCan
@chhcalling
Ask credit unions re: average loans - they are mostly less than £1k & that’s for those who pass the affordability test.. disposable incomes for working people > than £50 per week after essentials..folk are squeezed.Low wage economy has consequences.
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My paper for the Constitution Society
@Con_Soc
last April sets these points out in more detail.
9/9
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Excellent article!! V worrying part of the populist argument is “we can’t ask ppl to pay more for poor services”. But one (by no means the only) reason for poor standards is underfunding. To break the cycle, some could and would pay more.
Stormont’s populism is worse than ever – and more dangerous than ever, as lives depend on funding. Ministers are talking about spending vast sums they don't have & they don't want to raise - even from the well-off, who could pay.
➡️
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@TomMcTague
@EuroBriefing
@StefaanDeRynck
I gave a fuller account of all this in my interview for the QUB Brexit Witness Interview Programme as published by
@UKandEU
, see pages 14-16 of 6/6
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Best wishes and many thanks to you Rory!
Rory Montgomery retires today after a distinguished career over 36 years
#working4IRL
in 🇮🇹 🇺🇸 🇪🇺 🇲🇨 &🇫🇷. Few public servants have shaped Ireland’s peace process & our role in Europe as profoundly. Best wishes to Rory & Gerardine for the future. 🙏
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the citizens of North Essex do not have the right to be citizens of “another country” by virtue of having been born in North Essex. I could go on…. 7/10
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Great welcome in Toronto as
@ConnectNI
.... makes connections!! Many thanks to
@KevMcGurganFCO
@NI_Bureau
and
@Michael_INI_CAN
for fantastic support.
Our audience learn what makes Northern Ireland a great place to live work study invest and visit
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So, the constitutional status of NI is unique. Under both the 1998 Agreement, and the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Protocol, it has self-determination, on an agreed basis. 8/10
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The Irish Government’s amendment of the constitution to remove the “territorial claim” over Northern Ireland – an enormous step - was conditional on the establishment of strong north-south institutions 4/9
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@Jacobbe79601492
@LisaClaireWhit1
@po_qu
@IACESInfo
@Kilsally
@Usherwood
@StevePeers
@BarryColfer
@PatrickDiamond1
Yes, an excellent analysis by
@LisaClaireWhit1
. It's a matter of historical fact that Strand 3 of the negotiations in the 1990s included the Irish Government. A defining feature of the three stranded approach was that the Irish Government had no role ...
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@JamieBrysonCPNI
No free movement of labour. No payment to the EU budget and loss of almost all EU spending. No place in Single Market for services. No voice in EU Parliament or Council. Real border with Ireland except for goods and CTA. Brexit means most of Brexit.
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In that light: North Essex does not have the right to secede from the UK and join “another country” (in “ “ because for many people in NI, Ireland is not “another country” but their country) if a majority of its citizens want to 4/10
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This was not new in 1972. In 1919, the Long Cabinet Committee ruled out integration (ie direct rule) and insisted on a separate NI parliament because otherwise GB would be "ruling nationalist minorities against their will". See 👇from "Fatal Path" by Fanning.
An extraordinary admission: “Back in 1972 I saw a top secret document, I was in the SoS’s office so I saw this from Alec Douglas-Home, former Prime Minister & current Foreign Secretary, saying that 'we need to get out of Ireland, I don't want direct rule'”
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Excellent and thoughtful paper. Strongly recommended.
A working paper on how the Windsor Framework changes things in terms of the Protocol, covering the headline issues of goods rules, the CJEU, committee processes and the Stormont Brake, by me and
@nialljrobb
, hopefully coming soon to the
@NILegalQ
:
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The 2020 deal was made possible by confirming the NI Protocol. Dropping the “notwithstanding” clauses in the Internal Market Bill as
@michaelgove
confirmed to Parliament on 9 December 2020 was key. What mattered to the Johnson government was very clear.
My
@Telegraph
column.
Labour statism & Euro-obsession.
Theresa May rehabilitating her awful Brexit deal.
The establishment wants to get us back under the EU thumb & hopes Labour will do so.
Stand up for the 2020 free & democratic Brexit!
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