The Big Debate

YOUR VIEWS: Robinson steps aside

bryangray — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:18:01 +0000

ARLENE Foster is to replace Peter Robinson as interim First Minister.

The unexpected move was announced by Assembly speaker William Hay on Monday afternoon.

Mr Robinson has vowed to clear his name after vehemently denying any knowledge of his wife’s irregular financial affairs, which have dominated the news agenda in recent days.

Under legislation enshrined at St Andrew’s, Mrs Foster, 39, can be in office for up to six weeks.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS?

Has Mr Robinson done the right thing?

Should he have resigned outright?

Will the DUP leader return to the post?

Can Mrs Foster now focus attention back on the issues of the day?

Is it good to have a woman at the top of Ulster politics?

Will Worthington go?

bryangray — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:12:36 +0000

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has expressed his interest in the vacant position at Sheffield Wednesday.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS?

Is the former Owls defender positioning himself with talks over a new contract with the Irish FA apparently stalled?

Would Worthington’s exit be bad for Northern Ireland?

Who should replace him, should he go?

Share your views in the Big Debate….

Is the Army required to curb the dissident threat?

bryangray — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:24:30 +0000

A CALL has been made for Army personnel to return to Northern Ireland in a “limited” capacity following two separate dissident republican attacks at the weekend.

UUP MLA Tom Elliott spoke out after a covert police operation in Co Fermanagh foiled an alleged terrorist attack on a PSNI officer in the village of Garrison.

The incident, which involved gunfire, came only hours ahead of an attempted bombing of the Policing Board headquarters in central Belfast.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS?

What is the most effective way to counter the dissident threat?

Should the Army return to the streets?

Do we need more vuisible policing?

Should PSNI chief Matt Baggott reverse his decision to scrap the PSNI full-time Reserve?

Share your views in the Big Debate

Should the Republic feel hard done by?

bryangray — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:17:52 +0000

The hand of Thierry Henry has got the whole football world talking.

The French forward used his hand blatantly before setting up teammate William Gallas for a crucial equalising goal which fatally ended the World Cup dreams of Giovanni Trapatoni’s team.

Former Republic international claimed Henry’s act was “up there with Maradona”, in reference to the Argentinian’s ‘hand of God’ against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Republic of Ireland assistant manager Liam Brady has indicated his side would be more than willing to return to Paris to play the game again in the interests of fair play – however this is a scenario that will surely not happen.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS?

Should the match – given its huge significance – be replayed in the interests of fair play?

Is Thierry Henry a cheat?

Would there have been such an outcry if Robbie Keane did the same at the other end?

Is it now time for video technology to be introduced to top flight football?

Share your views in the Big Debate…

Should unionists seal policing deal?

bryangray — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:43:11 +0000

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has published full details of the financial package linked to the devolution of justice powers to Stormont.

The letter, now in the public domain, follows intensive talks involving First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

While Sinn Fein have already accepted the terms of the deal, the DUP are adamant necessary community confidence must also be in place before full powers are devolved.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS?

Is this a good deal for unionism?

Is there the required community confidence within unionism?

Is the time now right for the devolution of policing powers to Stormont?

Share your views in The Big Debate…

Are Ulster’s MLAs worth £8 million?

bryangray — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:28:09 +0000

STORMONT MLAs claimed almost £8 million in expenses last year – equating to an average of £74,000 per member.

What are your views?

Is this good value for public money?

Should our MLAs be more prudent in the midst of a recession?

Is Northern Ireland over-governed?

Share your views in the Big Debate….

Is the time now right for an Ulster Papal visit?

bryangray — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:32:21 +0000

THERE is speculation that Pope Benedict XVI could visit Northern Ireland early next year as part of a UK tour.

The plans come on the 30th anniversary of the last visit by Pope John Paul II to the Republic.

While the Pope was unable to make a planned visit to Armagh on that occasion due to the deteriorating security situation, now that the Province enjoys relative peace such a high-profile engagement cannot be ruled out.

What are your views?

Would you welcome a visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Northern Ireland?

Should unionists feel threatened by such an initiative?

Would such a visit show the world that the Province has finally moved on?

Share your views in the Big Debate…

Should we pay water charges?

bryangray — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:37:46 +0000

FINANCE Minister Sammy Wilson has revealed the delay in the introduction of domestic water charges is responsible for most of the Assembly’s current financial problems.

The deferral of water charges is thought to be costing the Executive around £210 million a year.

It is now being predicted that water charges could be introduced within the next two years at an average cost of £369 per household on top of residential rate bills.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS?

Would you pay water charges?

Are politicians letting the people down, having previously promised not to introduce a ‘tap tax’?

Should money to pay for our dilapidated water system be found elsewhere?

Share your views in the Big Debate…

Is the PSNI facing a crisis?

bryangray — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:05:52 +0000

NEW PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott will face a bulging in-tray when he takes up his new role next week.

As well as a funding shortfall, the former Leicestershire police chief is charged with countering the highest threat faced by the PSNI from dissident republicans.

The renewed terrorist threat comes as the Policing Board recently ratified the closure of more than 25 police stations across the Province deemed as no longer necessary.

Against this backdrop, the NIO has also demanded the force make around £17 million in efficiency savings.

Do you feel Northern Ireland has adequate police cover?

Are the PSNI properly equipped to deal with the dissident threat?

Is the closure of police stations the best way to cut costs?

Air your views in the Big Debate…

Should the Maiden City be called “Londonderry” or “Derry”?

bryangray — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:17:48 +0000

UNIONISTS have condemned an application by Derry City Council to change the name of “Londonderry” to “Derry”.

The move is seen as the latest attempt by the nationalist-dominated body to further alienate the Protestant minority in the city.

What are your views of the proposal to strike the name “Londonderry” from the official record books?

Is this an attempt by republicans to further diminish the British identity of Northern Ireland?

What of the supposed shared future given that “Londonderry” is already omitted from the council’s name?

What next for unionists in the Province’s second city?

Share your views in the Big Debate…