The meeting of the pro-agreement parties at Hillsborough today seems to have had a mixed reception. Some are complaining that David Trimble is not showing it the regard he should, in leaving it to his Stormont Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt. However this may have the more mundane (and hopeful??) explanation that this group will be meeting more regularly to more effectively manage the implimentation of the Belfast Agreement.

For a week from tomorrow, there will be a break in 'transmission' whilst I go off, get married and take a quick honeymoon. When I return the Letter will move to its new home at: www.sluggerotoole.com, and normal service will be resumed!

Mayor Maskey decides discretion is the better part of valor (for now at least) over the commemoration of the Somme in Belfast. It may be too soon for both his own and Unionist supporters in the City. Meanwhile Mark Durkan launches his brand New Nationalism, anchored, he says, in the principles of the Belfast Agreement.

The SDLP reveal their new logo today, retaining socialist red, with a slight tinge of nationalist green, and a full crescent of unionist orange. This, and its shift in language from a 'united' to 'integrated Ireland', is being seen by some as a part of longer term campaign to open up to the Unionist tradition.

As claim and counterclaim proliferate over collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries, there is a first few tentative calls for something like a truth commission to bring the conflict to some kind of final rest.

Whilst Ulster does its usual summer trick of ritually beating itself up, there may be a thread of hope that no conflict can drag on forever. James Murray Brown speculates that:

"There is a hope that this summer could see the quietest Drumcree in years. On both sides of the sectarian divide, they are saying the same thing. "Before it was the road, the road, the road. Everybody wanted to know what was happening. But I think people feel the issue is dead and buried. You just don't hear people talking about it," says Orla Moloney of the Drumcree Peace and Justice Committee, a local nationalist community group."

However he goes on to suggest that both populations have simply grown indifferent to one another because of the profound segregation of Catholics and Protestants over recent years. In Belfast, where the same process first began in earnest thirty years ago, the effects of demographic change have proved to have explosive long term effects.

The SDLP is the subject of much speculation these days. It appears to be making overtures to Unionists by incorporating the colour orange into it's new logo.

Fiafraíonn Robert McMillen an bhfuil baill áirithe d'Fhianna Fáil ag caint ar nascanna níos láidre a chothú idir iad féin agus an SDLP, de bharr go bhfuil Sinn Féin ag éirí níos láidre mar pháirtí?

Whilst the controversy over collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitary death squads continues, there is a new wave of more skeptical coverage of the story. From Malachi O'Doherty who suggests that pushing further is a serious form of illogic for Agreement parties who have already accepted an amnesty on all paramilitaries, to Eilis O'Hanlon who suggests that if such investigation is good enough for one side it is valid for the other.

Whilst the hiatus pundits are still speculating about when the executive will next break down, there are still several ministers who are showing a passion for the job of government. Martin McGuinness at Education said at the weekend "I intend to do something before the end of this parliamentary term, which lays out before the people what I believe to be the foundation stones on the future of education in this state for some period to come."

There are signs that some attitudes are beginning to change fundamentally in NI business. Trevor Blayney, head of entrepreneurial services at Grant Thornton in Belfast, was reported in last night's Belfast Telegraph to have said:

"Less than half (40%) of the younger firms in the UK now regard themselves as family businesses, compared to nearly two thirds (58%) of older firms. "And just 5% of younger businesses expect to hand on their ventures within the family, against the 22% of older firms who may do. A more fundamental shift in business attitude indicates that the younger firms are more open to allocating business stakes to outside investors and management executives."

Does this presage a shift in focus from local to more global business concerns? Possibly too early to call.

Here's a few encouraging words about 'Letter to Slugger O'Toole' from Spiked-online journalist Brendan O'Neill.

Looks like the UUP are getting caught by the off-side rule yet again in their efforts to get the Parades Commission to re-consider it's ruling against the Orange Order over the Garvaghy Road route. The Order themselves are not happy, after the Commission binned their proposals from last year, even though they were considered "...a significant advance on the order's previous position and might provide a basis on which the parties could move forward."

Ahern and Blair are to call a meeting of all the Pro-agreement parties next week.

The Stevens enquiry rumbles on in the Guardian, whilst the Independent emphasises that MI5 actively obstructed the investigation of the Finucane case. Neil McKay in the Sunday Herald went as far as to suggest that Margaret Thatcher was the one who first ordered such collusion.

Meanwhile Kevin Myers calls for a quid pro quo if there is to be a long term continuation of inquiries.

One little note in the Guardian today says that the Castlereagh job was an inside affair.

The sniping at Trimble continues as Sammy Wilson of the DUP suggests, "Trimble and his political allies repeated time and time again that the Agreement provided the Government with the powers to exclude those who did not genuinely give up violence. Four years on, he is now admitting that those powers do not exist and need to be introduced".

Father Des Wilson hits Trimble from the 'other side', pouring scorn on the idea that he may resign. The Belfast Telegraph suggests that the problem is one not simply for Unionists, but for all the pro-agreement parties.

More from the irrascable Brendan O'Neill, who really can't stand the patronising attitude of some towards the Irish football team's sojourn in the World Cup. No doubt the fact that the Irish fans were seen as the best of the tournament is only more provocation. But in terms of public diplomacy, there are some benefits to being seen as 'cuddly'! Mark Leonard of the Foreign Policy Centre's latest book looks at the idea from a British point of view.

Trimble continues to apply pressure with the threat of leaving his post. Wrapped in similar metaphors, Nationalist commentator Maurice Hayes calls it marching, whilst Unionist columnist Steven King sees it as walking. This discussion explores some aspects of the two competing Unionist agendas.

Some musing from Paul Fitzsimmons on the long term effect of extreme views clashing. The SDLP take on Sinn Fein over proliferation of flags in the streets.

On the other side following the screening of the first of a two part documentary, pressure is on for a public enquiry into the Finucane killing. Meanwhile there is criticism and anguish from a former insider, in last night's Belfast Telegraph.

With a Panorama documentary on BBC TV tonight, papers are full of stories relating to alleged collusion between the police and the paramilitaries. David McKittrick, John Ware, and David Sharrock have all written extensive articles.

Rumours of the impending collapse of the peace process unless there is an increase in the confidence of the Unionist population. Pressure continues to be applied to Blair to move against Sinn Fein over alleged breaches of the IRA ceasefire. Here's an web discussion on where the DUP policy may be leading.

Meanwhile, Councillor Joe O'Donnell calls for independent observers to monitor the disturbed areas in and around the Short Strand. Loyalist activist Billy Mitchell points out the degree of divergence between the poltical process and what is actually happening on the ground.

Peter Robinson's appeal against the legality of the re-election of the First and Deputy First Minister comes to a head next Monday. It could lead to the meltdown, many have talked about and few outside the growing ranks of DUP supporters have wished for. Some commentators argue that breaking democratic rules has a limited lifespan in NI.

Trimble takes the initiative with Sinn Fein. Malachi O'Doherty provides an interesting take on IRA military strategy during the peace process.

There have been riots in Derry City over the support of the Republic's team.

It's summer and trouble continues: in the streets and in the political backrooms, though the real threat to Trimble may come in form of next month's meeting of the UUP's executive. In Belfast Mayor Maskey intends to embrace the Union Jack AND the Tricolour. His taking office after several previously failed attempts, marks the end of protestant Belfast, according to Andy Gimson in The Spectator.

Eilis O'Hanlon highlights the double spin being played around last week's trouble in East Belfast.

Comment continues in the background on the Stevens report. Ruth Dudley Edwards worries about motives behind the pre-mature leak. Kevin Myer speculates that England and the Republic are getting closer.

Despite their exit of the World Cup, apparently Ireland still kicks ass! Was there a great dilemma for northern Loyalists in feeling support for the 'great divil of Rome' to the south of them? Not so in Derry though!

The forthcoming report by Metropolitan police commissioner Sir John Stevens into the Finucane murder finds collusion between the RUC and Loyalist paramiltaries and is causing it's first rumbles today.

Meanwhile leading Unionists claim that links between the Columbian leftist paramilitary group FARC and the IRA, indicate that Provisionals may have been over there testing new weapons. The Daily Telegraph suggests this is a breach of the IRA ceasefire.

Perhaps the unseasonably early runctions on the streets of Belfast may mean a quieter summer than has been common in the last few years as the Loyalist Commission move towards a no first strike agreement; though I wouldn't hold your breath!

Going back a year or four, here's a potted history of the Unionist Party by republican writer Ronan Bennett.

A bit further from the current street action and the cost of the Holy Cross dispute becomes clear. Johnny Adair's brother is jailed for riotous behaviour at the time. New Lord Mayor Maskey visits the Presbyterian church.

One Alliance counsellor pays the price for having street murals removed. Elsewhere famous Seamus Heaney warns of the disaffection and fury of the Protestant youth.

Meanwhile further afield, a rock star from the south is more concerned with development of Africa than the troubles in the north. Is the world just getting bored with us?

Argentina leave the World Cup and England under the cool hand of their Swedish manager fight on.

Looks like Reid is standing firm on the status of the ceasefires. Meanwhile the rioting has tempted the normally anti-Republican Malachy O'Doherty to make a strong attack on Loyalist tactics.

Full time: 3:0 It wasn't always pretty, but it should do the team no harm to score three in open play. And what about England tomorrow? Here's a Scottish perspective on the attitude of supporters in the Celtic Fringe towards England teams.

The big match against Saudi Arabia is coming up soon. Looks like controversial journalist and ex Republic of Ireland player Eammon Dunphy will be cooling his heels for a while after a controversial week or two trying to attack the Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. He has put his head above the parapet once too often and nearly (unfairly according to some) had it shot off.

The Short Strand has it's back to several walls whilst East Belfast loyalists' ceasefire is being strained to the limit. Nationalists call Unionists to account for loyalist violence as Gerry Adams claims much of the violence is down to a weakness in Unionist leadership, a claim disputed strongly by Ian Paisley Junior.

Threads of the backstory to the Short Strand troubles are beginning to emerge from the Catholic and the Protestant perspective. Looks like the loyalist paramilitaries are in breaking out in many different areas. Even as the peace process 'continues' David McKittrick points out that this has brought a split level reality in which the middle classes enjoy a kind of peace and prosperity whilst those caught in working class areas have to put up with an acceptable degree of lawlessness.

Meanwhile the peace wall gets higher.

It seems that some schools and colleges are being targetted too.

Threads of the back story to the Short Strand troubles are beginning to emerge
from the Catholic and the Protestant perspective. Looks like the loyalist paramilitaries are in breaking out in many different areas. Even as the peace process 'continues' David McKittrick points out that this has brought a split level reality in which the middle classes enjoy a kind of peace and prosperity whilst those caught in
working class areas have to put up with an acceptable degree of lawlessness. Meanwhile the peace wall gets higher.

It seems that some schools and colleges are being targetted too.

John Cole probes the limitations of the current 'peace'.

The Short Strand has seen most of the disturbances over the long holiday weekend in which there were shootings and several Protestants moved out of their homes.

There will no doubt be a number of different interpretations as to the hows and the whys. Father Des Wilson suspects that the trouble is related to the Maskey's election as Mayor. The major Unionist reaction was David Trimble's call for a government review of the ceasefires. There has been some heated discussion on Debate Central as to who was responsible.

There is some early speculation that this latest trouble will lead to yet another 'Peace Wall' being built.

The Irish are noted for being true to their identity for generations after they have left the 'oul sod', but Brendan O'Neill for one thinks it is time to draw a line under sentimental attachment to the country!

The big news of the day was the amazing result for the  Republic of Ireland. The result sent Ireland's top pundit deeper into despair after his predictions of his own country's annihilation at the hand of Cameroon and the Germans crashed and burned, very publicly! Cameroon's 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia makes Ireland's job crystal clear.

Meanwhile in the North David Alderdice of the Alliance party explains why he backed Maskey to become the first Republican mayor of Belfast. Unionist critic Steven King laments the loss of an opportunity to encourage the IRA further towards substantial decommissioning. 

The BBC charts Maskey's career.

New Lord Mayor of Belfast

This is the first post. The rest should follow. News on politics and gossip and things regarding Northern Ireland and it's future.