The Republican and Nationalist communities suffered a blow in their efforts at police reform when Chris Patten, chair of the Patten Commission, endorsed the controversial Northern Ireland Police Bill which passed into law at the end of November. In the Belfast Telegraph Patten wrote that the new legislation, criticized by Nationalists as a watered-down version of the Patten … [Read more...] about Chris Patten Endorses Police Bill
Politics
The Last Hurrah
President Bill Clinton's third, unprecedented and final visit to Ireland as President had all the feelings of a homecoming. And why not? No other American President has devoted as much time, political energy and determination to bringing peace to Northern Ireland and economic development to the country as a whole as Bill Clinton. And it was clear from the crowds that lined the … [Read more...] about The Last Hurrah
Women in Northern Ireland Politics
In war-torn Northern Ireland, for women to fight for equal rights would have been seen as a betrayal to the Nationalist or Unionist cause, Anne Cadwallader examines the position of women on the political front post ceasefires. The women of Northern Ireland have, in virtually every sphere of influence, through their work in the community and the trade unions, through … [Read more...] about Women in Northern Ireland Politics
The Other Kennedy
For the last 40 years, Americans have been fixated on the trials, tribulations and tragedies of the Kennedy family. Yet as the nation has kept its eyes focused on the Bobbys, Teddys and John-Johns of America's "Royal Family," a new Kennedy leader has quietly emerged. And this time, it's a woman. ℘℘℘ Maryland Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the eldest child … [Read more...] about The Other Kennedy
Educating Martin
How Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness is adjusting to his new role as Northern Ireland's Minister for Education. ℘℘℘ Unusually for a politician, Martin McGuinness is early. He arrives at the Irish-speaking primary school in Newry, the Bunscoil an luir, as part of his duties as Minister for Education in the Northern Ireland Executive. The Executive, and McGuinness, are back to … [Read more...] about Educating Martin