TK

🗣 The Irish News view: The Drumcree dispute is due back before the High Court in Belfast today after an entirely avoidable period of enormous tension and upheaval over the proposed Orange march along the nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown entered a second week. If the Parades Commission had carried out its duties efficiently in July, when it considered an Orange application which has been correctly and consistently refused for almost three decades, none of this would have happened. Instead, the commission was responsible for serious procedural errors, setting in motion a chain of disturbing events which have been exploited by elements who have always been determined to bring down the Stormont power-sharing structures. It has all taken us in completely the wrong direction, allowing confrontational issues from a dark era in our history, dominated by appalling sectarian murders in Portadown and elsewhere, to be forced to the top of the political agenda. There have been few signs of optimism during an exceptionally difficult period, but a significant one was provided through the open letter compiled by a group of concerned citizens from a Protestant background, including clerics, writers and business figures, which was circulated at the end of last week. It was coordinated by the Belfast Baptist minister the Rev Karen Sethuraman, and jointly directed to the Irish minister for foreign affairs, Helen McEntee, and the UK’s northern secretary of state, Chris Bryant, with over 1,000 signatures having been attached by yesterday. The letter directly appealed to the Orange Order to end the Drumcree stand-off, saying it was written on behalf of individuals who “hold a wide range of views on politics, faith and identity, and no single label captures our diversity”. They said they felt compelled to speak publicly about what was happening in Portadown, and wanted their “children and grandchildren to inherit a future free from the anguish of the past”. The authors acknowledged that many of them had family and friends for whom parading was a valued tradition, but pointed out that other loyal order demonstrations take place annually without restrictions, through " an outcome enabled by agreements and arrangements reached after exhaustive efforts". They wrote: “This is a time when all of us committed to a better future have a responsibility to raise our voices to protect peace, progress and a shared society free from sectarianism.” Those were wise words from sincere and respected figures, who are determined to extend the hand of friendship across the religious and political divide, as well as protecting the progress which has benefited all sections of the community since the Good Friday Agreement, and they deserve to be studied closely on all sides.

"The presence of the Sinn Féin double act of president Mary Lou McDonald TD and vice president Michelle O’Neill MLA attending together demonstrated the weakness of the event from an Irish perspective. "The Sinn Féin president doesn’t hold any office in Northern Ireland or the UK. Michelle O’Neill wasn’t there as First Minister because she lacked the authority to do so." Read more: tinyurl.com/ecwkzu5f

"This year the SDLP has some of the most articulate and passionate politicians in its front bench. Matthew O’Toole has made an outstanding job of making the Leader of Opposition meaningful and impactful. Daniel McCrossan adds weight to the leadership team. And most of the MLAs can all be let loose on TV without any fear of them dropping the ball." Read Tom Kelly: tinyurl.com/3k3ymze6

"Frankly, it looks like Butler has bottled it under political pressure. This review will be stalled through Purdah next spring and it won’t be on any minister’s desk this side of Autumn 2027. Even then, it will have to go out to consultation. "The big decisions need to be made on health and social care in NI. Start by amalgamating the various health boards – fewer managers and administration and more frontline staff." Read @TKbytesback: tinyurl.com/2dap5phr

"The Fleadh organisers deserve much praise for their approach to inclusivity in Belfast. "The reputational risk in coming to a divided city was huge. The potential for old rivalries to resurface was always there. By reaching out to loyalist bands and the wider unionist community, they proved that there is universality in music." Read Tom Kelly: tinyurl.com/4wz8rex5

"Long understands that political longevity isn’t endless. She might yet regret not giving Alliance a fresh start under a new leader next May. It’s a difficult decision for anyone in politics. "The SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone wisely chose to step down, saying: “Too many politicians often think they have one more election in them, but in reality, they don’t – there’s a time to go.” The same applies to leaders." Read Tom Kelly: tinyurl.com/2f35jaf4

"Salaries hovering above and around £500,000, in my mind, aren’t value in a public-subsidised media sector." Read Tom Kelly: tinyurl.com/4fzey3f3

"Comedians who, when entertaining audiences, make up for a lack of wit and mental acuity with ill-informed racial taunts and weaponising language, even at those at whose expense the joke is on. "But let’s consider a joke being played out in full sight of us all." Read Tom Kelly: tinyurl.com/bdzbkdvm