#DUP leader Arlene Foster

[seachranaidhe]

'Ooh ah up the 'Ra' singing 'Ooh ah up the 'Ra'

‘Ooh ah up the ‘Ra’ singing ‘Ooh ah up the ‘Ra’

Up the ra pic.twitter.com/0SZ1k8wn07— Dee (@Dee88306539) November 20, 2022

[swldx]

BBC 0407 30 Mar 2024

12095Khz 0359 30 MAR 2024 - BBC (UNITED KINGDOM) in ENGLISH from TALATA VOLONONDRY. SINPO = 55344. English, ID@0359z pips and "The Real Story" preview. @0401z World News anchored by David Harper. Massive Russian missile and drone attacks hit thermal and hydro power plants in seven regions in central and western Ukraine overnight, officials said on Friday, in the latest barrage targeting the country's already damaged power infrastructure. Kaniv hydropower plant was among the targets along with Dnister plant, which is located on the Dnister River, flowing through neighbouring Moldova, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. China, Caracas’ traditional ally, supported Venezuelan power on Friday in the organization of the July 28 presidential election, criticized by the opposition and Washington, condemning “external interference”. “We respect Venezuela’s national and sovereign independence, we support Venezuela in holding elections in accordance with its constitution and laws, and we oppose any external interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs,” Lin said. Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at a press conference, calling on the international community to “play a positive and constructive role.” One of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders says he would consider laying down weapons if armed groups were allowed to take part in talks to establish a new government. Thousands of Jordanians rallied near the Israeli embassy on Thursday in a fifth day of large protests against Israel, calling for an end to Jordan's unpopular peace treaty with its neighbour to the west. The protesters in an affluent neighbourhood of Amman carried Palestinian flags and chanted: "They said Hamas is terrorist. All of Jordan is Hamas." "No Zionist embassy on Jordanian land," protesters also cried, demanding that authorities close the embassy and end a 1994 peace treaty that normalised ties with Israel. On Friday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States welcomes the formation of the new Palestinian government and looks forward to working together to advance peace, security, and prosperity in the region. Japanese authorities have raided a factory in Osaka City, western Japan, in an investigation into the widespread health concerns caused by supplements containing "beni-koji" fermented rice. Sixteen officials from the health ministry and the city entered Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's Yodogawa factory under the Food Sanitation Act on Saturday morning. In Northern Ireland, Former DUP leader, Arlene Foster, has voiced her shock at Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's resignation as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The veteran politician stepped down this morning (Friday) after being charged with historical sex offences. Mr. Donaldson has said he will be strenuously contesting the charges. Mrs Foster told this newspaper: “I’m shocked by the news." Pope Francis withdrew from a key Easter ceremony last minute due to frail health concerns, moving the event to Santa Marta Residence. The Vatican stated he needed to preserve his health for upcoming events during the holiest Christian calendar weekend. @0406z "The Real Story" begins about closing news organization. Backyard fence antenna w/MFJ-1020C active antenna (used as a preamplifier/preselector), Etón e1XM. 250kW, beamAz 315°, bearing 63°. Received at Plymouth, MN, United States, 15359KM from transmitter at Talata Volonondry. Local time: 2259.

[eagletek]

DUP unlikely to reach decision on revised Northern Ireland deal until April | Northern Ireland

The Democratic Unionist party is unlikely to make a decision on whether to support Rishi Sunak’s deal with the EU to revise the Northern Ireland protocol until April. The party has just launched a consultation process with an eight-person panel including former party leaders, Lady Arlene Foster and Peter Robinson. They have been given until the end of March to report back to the party leader Sir…

[qudachuk]

Former DUP leaders and Stormont first ministers Dame Arlene Foster and Peter Robinson are among those who will sit on the new panel.

[gaypowercouple]

Campaigners split on DUP leader Arlene Foster’s speech at PinkNews summer reception · PinkNews

Campaigners split on DUP leader Arlene Foster’s speech at PinkNews summer reception · PinkNews

[ad_1]

Leading campaigners have expressed mixed reactions after Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster’s address before a crowd of the LGBT+ community at PinkNews’ summer reception in Belfast on Thursday.

Foster, the first DUP leader to attend an event focused on LGBT rights, said in her address that she deeply values the LGBT community.

The controversial leader also stated that her ex…

[lesbiansandgayssupporttheminers]

Arlene Foster has resigned as leader of the DUP, and as First Minister of Northern Ireland.

Obviously she’s not someone I’d share, probably any, opinions with, politically, and I can’t help but think this will increase the, um, instability in Northern Ireland.

It feels like a united Ireland is becoming increasingly inevitable. It’s only how much pain people will have to endure to get there.

[politicotalk]

The impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland

On the 23rd of June, 2016, the United Kingdom’s population went to the polls and voted whether or not they wanted to stay a part of the European Union. The result was shortly declared: 51.89% of the population was in favour of leaving the Union. Even so, a majority of the population of Northern Ireland voted to remain. It’s possible the population understood the consequences of Brexit, and the impact it had on them, being the only part of the UK not in Great Britain and sharing a land border with a member of the European Union, the Republic of Ireland.

To understand the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland, we must first understand the history of Northern Ireland: from the Troubles to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. It is also necessary to understand the content of the Good Friday Agreement. Afterwards, we will discuss the impact of Brexit and the major problem that will bring imposing a hard border, and the consequence it poses on people’s opinion as to remaining or leaving the United Kingdom.

History

Before we talk about the issues brought in by Brexit, it is important to talk about the history of Northern Ireland.

For centuries, Ireland was controlled by Great Britain and was a part of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. With the Irish language being outlawed, differences were marked significantly in religion, Great Britain was mostly protestant and Ireland, Catholic. Nevertheless, areas in Ulster, in the North of Ireland, had a significant protestant population. The Irish had made several rebellions against the British occupants, but these really picked up in the beginning of the 20th century, bringing in the creation of Sinn Fein, a nationalist party popular especially amongst Catholics, in favour of home rule. To simplify the events up to World War I, a Ireland was seeing a lot of violence between British and Irish.

World War I put a pause to negotiations, as Britain’s attention was on the front. This didn’t put a stop to violence in Ireland nevertheless, and might have actually worked in favour of Ireland’s independence. Realizing that they had to quickly before losing everything, Britain passed the Government of Ireland Act in 1921. This split Ireland into two parts: 26 counties would be independent and form the Republic of Ireland, and six counties, in the North where most Irish protestants lived would remain under British occupation and form Northern Ireland.

Almost immediately, troubles arose in Northern Ireland. These troubles became more intense starting in the 1960’s and peaking in the 70’s. This period in question is known as the Troubles. In this time, the Irish National Army, or IRA was formed, a pro-nationalist terrorist group. This group was opposed to the British Army, both responsible for the deaths of many civilians. From the 1970’s, many talks were made between nationalists and unionists in favour of peace, but these never brought any solutions. It wasn’t until 1994 that Northern Ireland saw a paramilitary ceasefire and 1998 until the Good Friday agreement was signed.

 The Good Friday Agreement

Before diving into issues in Northern Ireland, it is very important to understand what the Good Friday Agreement is. This was an agreement signed between the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and members of Northern Ireland, voted in favour by adults in Northern Ireland, became active in December 1998 and agreed on the following.

1. The creation of a Northern Irish Assembly at Stormont. 2. The North-South Ministerial Council 3. The British-Irish Council

The Northern Irish Assembly, simply put, is an assembly created for Northern Ireland to debate issues that fall under Northern Irish legislation, issues brought in by devolution, which were previously decided by Westminster. There would be two leaders with equal power, a First Minister, elected as leader of the party with the most votes, and a Deputy First Minister, leader of the party in the 2nd largest community designation. This means that one of these is a Unionist and the other, Nationalist. For the record, the DUP (Unionist) has always held the position of First Minister and Sinn Féin (Nationalist), Deputy. In this system, if either of the two resigns, the other one gets taken down and an election is called.

The North-South Ministerial Council was set up to develop cooperation between both northern and southern parts of Ireland. It created institutions for the promotion of social, economic benefits for the habitants of the island of Ireland.

On the question concerning whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK, it was agreed that this question can only be answered by the people of Northern Ireland alone, with agreement of the majority.

 Issues with Brexit

With Brexit and Britain’s will to put in place a hard border, this causes great issue for Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland relies on goods imported from Great Britain and Ireland trades a lot with Northern Ireland, goods that include milk and eggs, for example. This means that, by imposing a hard border, trading between the two will impose customs checks. This border, by default, would be placed between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Neither Northern Ireland nor the Republic of Ireland want this, as both countries’ economies are dependent of each other, and imposing customs borders would impose sanctions on certain goods. The idea of fences being built would also bring in memories of the Troubles, as described above, and could potentially cause tensions and violence to reignite. Another option that was brought forward was the idea of checking the content of trucks before they get to the border, either by checking the contents before reaching the border, or by using technology that could read the content of the cargo.

Another solution, brought by Brussels, is to push back the border to the Irish Sea. This would mean that Northern Ireland would be treated differently from the rest of the UK, therefore keeping Northern Ireland in the customs union. As it stands, the European Union does not allow the importation of chilled meat products from any non-EU members, meaning that, in this scenario, Great Britain would not be allowed to send meat products to Northern Ireland. The European Union is showing no signs to changing their policy in regards to this. A solution brought forward by Theresa May suggested keeping all of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the customs union with the European Union, through her Soft Brexit approach. This approach, to place a border in the Irish Sea, is the approach that Boris Johnson favours.

Arlene Foster, then First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the DUP, sought to gain more advantages of this situation for the sake of Northern Ireland and refused May’s proposition. Meanwhile, in the UK, Theresa May was replaced by Boris Johnson who was more in favour of a Soft Brexit approach. Unfortunately for Foster, Johnson’s Conservatives had the majority in the Houses of Parliament and did not need the DUP’s support to pass the Brexit plan in Northern Ireland. This was a major slip for Foster who found herself obligated to resign, calling an election in Northern Ireland.

The issue with the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland has long been debated to be an incentive for Northern Ireland to consider holding a referendum in regards to whether or not they would like to leave the UK or not. The tendency in Northern Ireland is for Catholics to be Nationalists and Protestants, to be Unionists, but this tendency is more blurred as religion is generally losing its impact on people’s political opinions. Several Protestants have expressed their annoyance and sense of betrayal in regards to Boris Johnson’s approach. In consequence, more and more people in Northern Ireland are reconsidering their political opinion. In 2012, 25% of the population was in favour of reunification and 55% people were in favour of remaining in the Union. In 2021, this number jumped to 40% for both opinions.

Several people are seeing Arlene Foster’s actions as having a direct impact on this rapid shift in opinion. By putting a border in place, this means that their closest trading neighbour, the Republic of Ireland, is a member of the EU. This means that regardless of the type of Brexit, Northern Ireland will still have to work closely with the EU in terms of trade. Furthermore, several British companies have seen this border as a burden, and have ceased trade to Northern Ireland. Now, we don’t need to worry, Northern Irish grocery stores’ shelves are not bare! Instead, there has been a shift to an “all island” economy that has been flourishing recently. Several experts have also pointed the finger at Boris Johnson for being the catalyst for the change in public political opinion.

Several supporters of a reunification are welcoming the difficulties that Brexit has brought. This is truly a big moment in the history of the island of Ireland. However, these same experts and politicians agree that a majority of the public is not in favour of a reunification, and that the moment still isn’t right for holding a referendum.

 Conclusion

Northern Ireland has had a very troubled history, which saw a lot of violence, terrorism and death brought to innocent people. This violence is still fresh in the minds of several people, and is a state to which the population does not wish to return. The consequences that Brexit would bring might have the consequence of reigniting these tensions and violence. Several solutions have been offered but all have very dire consequences. Though Brexit’s aim is to leave the EU, it might just cause a member to rejoin the United Kingdom as a consequence.

[seachranaidhe]

DUP and their terrorist cohorts planning mayhem on the streets of the North if they don't get there own way over Brexit

DUP and their terrorist cohorts planning mayhem on the streets of the North if they don’t get there own way over Brexit

The RT Hon. Arlene Foster (second left) pictured with Richard McKee, South Down DUP Treasurer, Diane Forsyth, Branch Secretary, and Cllr Glyn Hanna, Branch Chairman at the South Down DUP dinner held in the Harbour Inn, Annalong

Conversation OnThisDayTheUDA @OnThisDayUDA The South Down DUP Treasurer Richard McKee tweeted this, it was then swiftly deleted. 8:56 PM · Oct 25, 2019·Twitter for iPhoneĺ

[chrissterry]

Northern Ireland's DUP will hold May to promise of Brexit deal changes : Reuters

Northern Ireland’s DUP will hold May to promise of Brexit deal changes : Reuters

BELFAST (Reuters) – The Northern Irish party that props up Britain’s minority government will hold Prime Minister Theresa May to her commitment to secure changes to the divorce deal struck with the European Union, its leader said on Monday.

With less than three months to go until the UK is due to leave the EU on March 29, May plans to hold a vote on her deal in mid-January, after pulling it from…

[hummingzone]

Former DUP leader Arlene Foster’s new job: women’s magazine columnist

Former DUP leader Arlene Foster’s new job: women’s magazine columnist

Former First Minister Arlene Foster is pushing ahead with her journey from politics to media personality with a new column in Local Women magazine. he former DUP leader, who is also a regular presenter on GB News, will see her first column for the monthly magazine published this Friday. Reflecting on her recent journey, Mrs Foster writes: “The last time you read about me in Local Women Magazine…

[allmalepanels]

All Male Panel Commemorates Good Friday Peace Agreement at U.S. Capitol

Congressman Richard Neal, the Embassy of Ireland to the United States, and the Northern Ireland Bureau hosted a public forum to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement on March 13, 2018, at the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress.

Congressman  Neal acted as master of ceremonies. The all male speaker panel included: Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar; Senator George Mitchell; Gerry Adams, T.D. (Sinn Fein); Colum Eastwood, MLA (SDLP); Mike Nesbitt, MLA (UUP); Congressman Pete King; and British Ambassador to the U.S. Kim Darroch.

Despite women playing a prominent role in the negotiation of the Good Friday Peace Agreement, zero female voices were heard at the event. It is important to note that the current heads of the two largest political parties in Ireland are women: Michelle O’Neill, leader of Sinn Fein; and Arlene Foster, leader of the DUP. Neither were included in the event.

Link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/forum-to-commemorate-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-good-friday-agreement-tickets-43953741825#

[politicoscope]

Paul Jonathan Givan Biography and Profile

New Post has been published on https://www.politicoscope.com/paul-jonathan-givan-biography-and-profile/

Paul Jonathan Givan Biography and Profile

Paul Givan (Paul Jonathan Givan) was born 12 October 1981. He is a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politician from Northern Ireland who has served as First Minister of Northern Ireland since 2021.

Paul Givan of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) replaced Arlene Foster as Northern Ireland’s First Minister on Thursday 17 June 2021 after the region’s main parties staved off a fresh political crisis that threatened to lead to a snap election.

Paul Givan Biography:

Paul Givan Education

Givan was educated at Laurelhill Community College, where he studied Business and History and is a graduate of the University of Ulster where he obtained a degree in Business Studies and completed an Advanced Diploma in Management Practice.

Paul Givan Political Career

Paul Jonathan Givan is a Democratic Unionist Party politician from Northern Ireland who has served as First Minister of Northern Ireland since 2021. He started his political career in Poots’ constituency and Stormont offices as a part-time assistant.

He later worked as special advisor for the now-DUP leader when he was Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and again in 2009 when he was Minister of the Environment.

In 2010 he began his assembly career when he was co-opted in the Lagan Valley constituency to replace Jeffrey Donaldson.

Givan had been serving as chair of the Stormont Justice Committee ahead of his nomination as Foster’s replacement.

He has been a somewhat controversial figure and is likely to be an unpopular choice among many nationalists.

Back in 2016, Givan was criticised by leading members of Sinn Féin when, as Minister for Communities, he cut funding for the Líofa Gaeltacht scheme, which allowed people on lower incomes to go to the Donegal Gaeltacht and learn Irish.

The email informing employees of the decision was signed off “Happy Christmas and Happy New Year” and led to Givan being branded an “ignoramus” by then Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.

He later made a u-turn, stating that he had identified the funding necessary for the scheme and claimed his decision had not been a political one. However Sinn Féin has described this funding cut as the “straw that broke the camel’s back” in the context of the collapse of power-sharing in 2017.

Before this controversy, Givan had been given credit for his praise of the GAA. During a highly publicised visit to a GAA club in Lisburn while he was sports minister in 2016, he expressed support for the new Casement Park GAA stadium project in west Belfast. He also paid tribute to the GAA and the “value that it brings to young people”.

Givan, who is a member of the Free Presbyterian Church, which was founded by Ian Paisley, has previously supported Creationism. In 2008 put forward a motion calling for schools in Lisburn to teach alternatives to the theory such as Intelligent Design.

In February this year he brought a private member’s bill seeking to change the law in Northern Ireland to prevent abortions in cases of non-fatal disabilities.

Following the announcement from Poots, Givan said he was “privileged and humbled to have the opportunity to serve our people in the days ahead”.

“When I first entered politics I never believed I would follow in the footsteps of Dr Paisley, Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster. I am indebted to their service and sacrifice,” he said.

“The challenges are significant as we emerge from Covid and seek to rebuild our community and public services but our strength is in our people and I have no doubt we can overcome these challenges and build a better future for all our people.”

If Sinn Féin does not block his appointment and there is a smooth transition of power, Givan is set to take over from Arlene Foster next Monday.

DUP leader Edwin Poots nominates Paul Givan as Northern Ireland’s new first minister despite concerns within own party

Paul Givan First Minister

Paul Givan of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) replaced Arlene Foster as Northern Ireland’s First Minister on Thursday after the region’s main parties staved off a fresh political crisis that threatened to lead to a snap election.

Givan is a close ally of new DUP leader Edwin Poots. He needed to secure the consent of the party’s main partners in the region’s power-sharing government, Irish nationalist rivals Sinn Fein, to take the post.

Sinn Fein insisted the nomination be accompanied by the implementation of the cultural elements of a political agreement struck last year and the parties agreed a means to do so in late night talks on Wednesday.

Paul Givan Creationist

Paul Givan, a creationist who has in the past supported the teaching of alternatives to scientific theory of evolution in schools in Lisburn.

Creationists believe the Earth was created by a greater being, God, and that the accounts in the book of Genesis are literally true. They believe that Genesis contradicts the theory of evolution and that it should be taught as part of the science curriculum.

Paul Givan Irish Language

A power-sharing crisis in Northern Ireland was averted after ministers pledged to bring in new laws that would give the Irish language equal status in the province. The problem had arisen following the ousting of Arlene Foster by her DUP colleagues as leader and first minister.

Paul Givan of the DUP, who represents Lagan Valley, was 17 June 2021 formally nominated as the new first minister after the opposing sides reached a deal. He said: “We must recognise there is more in common than separates us. Northern Ireland is a special place.”

Paul Givan Church

Paul Givan religious beliefs are central to his identity. Givan is a member of the Free Presbyterian Church, which was founded by Ian Paisley. He is a committed Christian and has spoken about attacks on church buildings, the need for consistency in the approach to places of worship during Covid restrictions and abortion – with a bill in his name seeking to protect those diagnosed with non-fatal conditions such as Down’s Syndrome, club foot and cleft lip, all of which can currently be aborted up until birth.

Paul Givan says: “My faith determines my values; it’s intrinsic to who I am. I am a Christian, first and foremost, a husband, a father, a unionist.” He added in response to how he felt about dying: “Death doesn’t frighten me at all because I’ve put my trust in the Lord.”

Paul Givan Controversies

Paul Givan brought a private member’s bill seeking to change the law in Northern Ireland to prevent abortions in cases of non-fatal disabilities.

In September 2007, he attracted controversy because he proposed a motion to contact all secondary school science departments in the city of Lisburn asking them to supply information as to the plans they had to “develop teaching material in relation to creation, intelligent design and other theories of origin”.

He is also unpopular among some for cutting funding for an Irish language bursary scheme in 2016 while communities minister, which was cited as one of the reasons for the following breakdown in the power sharing arrangement with Sinn Fein.

Paul Givan Family:

Paul Givan Wife

Paul Givan married Emma at Lisburn Free Presbyterian Church in 2004 and they have three children.

Paul Givan Biography and Profile

[seachranaidhe]

Take a look at this post… 'Review: Arlene Foster's GB News coverage of the Twelfth unfocused and amateurish'.

Take a look at this post… ‘Review: Arlene Foster’s GB News coverage of the Twelfth unfocused and amateurish’.

http://seachranaidhe-irishandproud.blogspot.com/2022/07/review-arlene-fosters-gb-news-coverage.html