大象传媒

Back in the basement

• Mark Devenport
• 16 Apr 07, 02:36 PM

After a fortnight mowing the lawn, trimming the hedge and attending assorted children's parties, I'm back in the Stormont basement, surveying the brand new world of our executive in waiting.

Things always feel a bit disjointed on your first day back in the office, but the break has served to heighten my sense of how much has changed since the Paisley Adams deal.

The Doc was on the steps of Stormont this morning confirming his ministerial team. He said his ministers wouldn't take questions on their departmental matters until 8th May. Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster quipped that they would "never, never" take questions, but their leader predicted the media would squeeze them dry.

This self denying ordinance means we weren't able to ask Arlene Foster, for example, what she intends to do about PPS 14. An hour or so later I was back on the Stormont steps, chatting to the Green MLA Brian Wilson, who is worried the executive will drop the restriction on new rural housing introduced by the direct rulers.

The DUP read out a long list of ministers, committee chairs, policing board reps and so on. One name conspicuous by its absence was that of the Foyle MLA Willie Hay. Freeing Willie from the political fray would make sense if he is to become Eileen Bell's replacement as Assembly Speaker, something I gather the redoubtable Ms Purdy reported on during my Easter recess.