Pork Barrel Politics
A Conservative MP accused the PM and the DUP of engaging in over last year's vote on the proposed 42 day detention of terror suspects and the subsequent approval of financial support for the East Belfast firm Bombardier. The Secretary of State rejected the charge pointing out the general benefits of the jobs created by the company.
"Pork barrel politics" of a different kind will be under discussion in Londonderry on Friday when the First and Deputy First Ministers meet Brian Cowen for a full meeting of the North South Ministerial Council. Rather than setting up its own compensation package for the farmers whose herds are suspected of dioxin contamination, the Executive says it will chase the Irish authorities as the suspect feed originated south of the border. So pork and beef are likely to feature at the discussions, as well as the general state of the economy.
The full facts of the dioxin scare are yet to be established. But the Irish may well point to suspicions that oil involved in the contamination came from north of the border as a reason to bat the Executive away.
Either way the TUV MEP Jim Allister reckons there could be a problem so far as Europe is concerned. He has discussed the matter with the Agriculture Commissioner Marian Fischer-Boel and is doubtful whether Northern Ireland can benefit from a compensation package approved for the Republic. Mr Allister is concerned that the Executive is wasting time "chasing a moonbeam".
The argument over whether the Executive should pay compensation to the farmers reached the high court today, where the owners of five herds are seeking a judicial review.
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