I’m so sorry to hear of your treatment on @StephenNolan show. We as an arts and wider community must come together. He just seeks to keep or deepen division for his own benefit - indicative of the establishment. So many of us here know & truly love what you do @Stendhalireland
While we appreciate @StephenNolan for having us on his show this morning - theline of questioning was insulting to everyone in the arts sector trying to make ends meet and indicitive of the attitudes we have faced for 13 years. Actually cannot believe that just happened.
📻Listen back to @BBCRadioFoyle to hear Anna Nolan and @Victoria_Geelan from Music Kin C.I.C talking with @markyptweets about their new music project, supported by the Arts Council's #NationalLottery Rural Engagement Programme
https://t.co/w9SpOHquLS (1:20:28)
@LottoGoodCauses
Finally - as well as no agreed Budget, there also isn’t a Programme for Government in place for the civil service to follow in absence of an Executive. Draft Prog for Govt framework was consulted on last year but a final version was never agreed by the Executive (10/10)
Parallels to Jan 2017 to Jan 2020 are obvious. Then civil servants continued to deliver plans as set out in previous Prog for Govt, but clear impact from lack of new decision-making. Head of Civil Service described this period as “stagnation and decay” in public services (9/10)
Lack of Budget creates uncertainty for govt depts and all organisations funded by them. Makes it difficult for organisations e.g. voluntary sector to plan properly for the year ahead and for some it may have much more serious consequences (8/10)
Draft Budget had prioritised spending on health in order to address NI’s huge waiting lists and start making important reforms to health delivery. Executive had not agreed this draft Budget but had said it should go out for consultation (7/10)
This will have big impact in several ways. It was long-awaited multi-year budget which would give depts time and stability to plan for investment and reform, rather than just surviving yr to yr. Big opportunity could be missed to progress reform, esp in health service (6/10)
Big implications for NI Budget for 2022-25 which is out for consultation and was due to be signed off by Executive next month. This now can’t happen. In the absence of Executive to sign off the new Budget, civil servants will have to roll forward previous spending plans (5/10)
New legislation means that Ministers can continue to make decisions in their departments as long as in line with previously agreed plans. Also Assembly can continue for six weeks (possibly longer) so existing legislation can continue to be progressed (4/10)
No Executive means big or cross-cutting decisions cannot be taken, like signing off new Budget, agreeing significant new funding scheme or new legislation. So big decisions will be on hold, as they were in the last period without the institutions from Jan 2017 to Jan 2020 (3/10)
First Minister resigning automatically removes deputy First Minister as it’s a joint office. Because of new legislation, other Ministers stay in charge of departments but Executive as a whole can’t meet or make decisions without FM and dFM in post (2/10)
Call for applications for work placements at the BBC in Northern Ireland. Various positions available. 18 years of age and over. March-June 2020. Do it!
Open now for applications. Some fantastic work experience opportunities with @BBCnireland March to June this year, 3 to 10 days long. Loads of areas to aim for. Applications close on the 18th of Feb. #bbcni https://t.co/8CFPtT6sqJ
It's been almost 5 years since I performed this Nina Simone show at my hometown's @StruleArtsCentre. I think it's time I hit the road, Lorcán... Daddy can handle ye from here on ... 😂
#ImDoneBreastfeedingHi https://t.co/YMXguoj2Ir
If, like me, you're sick of this shit, make your voice heard. Sign this petition, make a donation if you can (€7) and spread the word far and wide! Time's up, muthafuchas! — feeling hopeful