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Dublin: 4°C Sunday 11 April 2021

Tuesday 21 March, 2017

Opinion: 'McGuinness ended up in a better place, bringing his party, followers and society with him'
# Martin McGuinness
# Martin McGuinness

Opinion: 'McGuinness ended up in a better place, bringing his party, followers and society with him'

Mar 21st 2017, 7:30 PM 83 Views 72 Comments

Irish politics lost a major political figure today, writes David McCann.

Monday 9 January, 2017

Opinion: 'Brexit and a weak economy mean that Northern Ireland has little time to be stuck in neutral'
# Mcguinness Resigns
# Mcguinness Resigns

Opinion: 'Brexit and a weak economy mean that Northern Ireland has little time to be stuck in neutral'

Jan 9th 2017, 8:30 PM 40 Views 49 Comments

It’s game over for the current Executive just six months after the Assembly election, writes Dr David McCann.

Thursday 8 December, 2016

One of the key people in the making of modern Ireland turns 100 today
# Whitaker At 100
# Whitaker At 100

One of the key people in the making of modern Ireland turns 100 today

Dec 8th 2016, 6:20 AM 987 Views 45 Comments

TK Whitaker was just 39 when he took on the challenge of leading a dark and depressed 1950s Ireland into a brighter future.

One of the key figures in shaping modern Ireland turns 100 today
# Opinion
From Business ETC
# Opinion

One of the key figures in shaping modern Ireland turns 100 today

Dec 8th 2016, 6:00 AM 17 Views 0 Comments

TK Whitaker was just 39 when he became secretary at the Department of Finance.

Thursday 12 March, 2015

Northern Ireland’s peace is Ireland’s peace, we've all benefited and all of us must make sure we keep it
# Opinion
# Opinion

Northern Ireland’s peace is Ireland’s peace, we've all benefited and all of us must make sure we keep it

Mar 12th 2015, 7:30 PM 24 Views 109 Comments

As the South approaches the next election pressure needs to be placed upon politicians to re-engage with the peace process.

Saturday 13 September, 2014

Column: An era has truly come to an end in Northern Ireland with the death of Ian Paisley
# Politics
# Politics

Column: An era has truly come to an end in Northern Ireland with the death of Ian Paisley

Sep 13th 2014, 8:30 AM 38 Views 49 Comments

Historically it is appropriate to remember that substantial figure has gone and it is worth just remembering his substantial contribution to our politics.

Thursday 21 August, 2014

Opinion: Reynolds was utterly instrumental to the peace process – it is no small achievement
# RIP
# RIP

Opinion: Reynolds was utterly instrumental to the peace process – it is no small achievement

Aug 21st 2014, 7:30 PM 20 Views 21 Comments

As I sit here in Belfast, there are no British soldiers patrolling the streets and paramilitaries no longer conduct massive bombing campaigns because of the leadership of people like Albert Reynolds.

Thursday 10 July, 2014

Opinion: A simple 'how to' guide for the new Minister for Foreign Affairs
# Northern Ieland
# Northern Ieland

Opinion: A simple 'how to' guide for the new Minister for Foreign Affairs

Jul 10th 2014, 1:16 PM 14 Views 27 Comments

Gilmore’s light touch approach to Northern Ireland was one of his biggest misjudgements as a minister. Here are the three things his successor should consider…

Sunday 11 May, 2014

Opinion: In Northern Ireland, we are literally lurching from crisis to crisis
# Column
# Column

Opinion: In Northern Ireland, we are literally lurching from crisis to crisis

May 11th 2014, 7:30 PM 38 Views 115 Comments

David McCann says now is the time for action from Dublin and London who should intervene and assist political leaders in Northern Ireland.

Wednesday 9 April, 2014

Column: Bold gestures are necessary for a genuinely inclusive Northern Ireland
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Bold gestures are necessary for a genuinely inclusive Northern Ireland

Apr 9th 2014, 8:00 AM 26 Views 41 Comments

As President Michael D Higgins takes part in an historic trip to the UK, we should reflect on what other valuable gestures could help heal old wounds, writes David McCann.

Tuesday 11 February, 2014

Column: Let's consider Albert Reynolds' legacy on the anniversary of his election
# Retrospective
# Retrospective

Column: Let's consider Albert Reynolds' legacy on the anniversary of his election

Feb 11th 2014, 7:30 PM 153 Views 36 Comments

Reynolds was in office less than three years, yet his legacy still resonates today, writes David McCann. So just what should we remember about one the country’s shortest serving leaders?

Thursday 2 January, 2014

Column: Failure of Haass talks highlights two serious problems in modern Northern Ireland
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Failure of Haass talks highlights two serious problems in modern Northern Ireland

Jan 2nd 2014, 1:30 PM 31 Views 89 Comments

The ‘silo mentality’ of Stomont doesn’t solve controversial issues or give the public confidence in politics – and it’s the reason Haass came up against a brick wall when he tried to forge common ground, writes David McCann.

Tuesday 22 October, 2013

Column: What is Jack Lynch's legacy?
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: What is Jack Lynch's legacy?

Oct 22nd 2013, 7:30 PM 722 Views 62 Comments

Despite the highs and lows of his political career, former Taoiseach Jack Lynch was still described as “the most popular politician since Daniel O’Connell”, writes David McCann on the 14th anniversary of the death.

Sunday 20 October, 2013

Column: The Celtic Tiger mauled Ireland, so why are NI politicians trying to mimic it?
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: The Celtic Tiger mauled Ireland, so why are NI politicians trying to mimic it?

Oct 20th 2013, 12:00 PM 153 Views 85 Comments

The fascination some politicians in Northern Ireland have with the Republic’s boom years is creating some strange political bedfellows and confusing policies, writes David McCann.

Wednesday 11 September, 2013

Column: Today's officials should look to TK Whitaker’s approach as they consider economic problems
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Today's officials should look to TK Whitaker’s approach as they consider economic problems

Sep 11th 2013, 7:30 PM 52 Views 21 Comments

TK Whitaker’s approach to public service shows that ‘thinking outside the box’ can be invaluable in solving political, social and economic issues – he remains one of the most remarkable figures of Irish public life, writes David McCann.

Monday 26 August, 2013

Column: If the rumours are true and Peter Robinson steps down, who will replace him?
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: If the rumours are true and Peter Robinson steps down, who will replace him?

Aug 26th 2013, 7:30 PM 23 Views 27 Comments

There has been some speculation that Peter Robinson’s time as First Minister may be coming to an end. David McCann takes a look at the two ministers that are tipped to fill his boots.

Friday 9 August, 2013

Column: There should not be any 'no go' areas for politicians in Belfast
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: There should not be any 'no go' areas for politicians in Belfast

Aug 9th 2013, 7:30 PM 10 Views 23 Comments

The contemptible attack on Mayor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir put the worst aspects of Belfast city on display last week. Do we really want a city where the mayor is seen as an enemy simply because he comes from the other community? asks David McCann.

Tuesday 23 July, 2013

Column: Northern Ireland and the dangers of the ‘mission accomplished’ narrative
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Northern Ireland and the dangers of the ‘mission accomplished’ narrative

Jul 23rd 2013, 1:30 PM 22 Views 79 Comments

Riots in Belfast during the 12th July overshadowed glimmers of hope shown in places like Derry. Either way, Northern Ireland will ultimately sink or swim based on the actions chosen in the months and years ahead, writes David McCann.

Monday 8 July, 2013

Column: There's a case for a United Ireland but it doesn't lie in voodoo economics
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: There's a case for a United Ireland but it doesn't lie in voodoo economics

Jul 8th 2013, 7:30 PM 179 Views 81 Comments

If we want to end the partition between the Republic and Northern Ireland, then we need to embrace some realistic solutions for the economic future, writes David McCann.

Sunday 30 June, 2013

Column: Remembering 'Garret the Good' and his legacy on Irish politics
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Remembering 'Garret the Good' and his legacy on Irish politics

Jun 30th 2013, 8:15 AM 459 Views 70 Comments

In today’s poll-driven political culture we sometimes forget that to fail sometimes, you at least have to try. While Garret Fitzgerald did have failures, he also had the courage to do what he thought was right, writes David McCann.

Sunday 23 June, 2013

Column: Obama's speech was an insight into the current state of politics in Northern Ireland
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Obama's speech was an insight into the current state of politics in Northern Ireland

Jun 23rd 2013, 8:15 AM 23 Views 24 Comments

Speaking directly to the next generation of Northern Ireland, like Obama did, is what we need, says David McCann, who writes that it is the duty of younger people to get ready, take charge and drive the agenda forward.

Sunday 2 June, 2013

Column: The victims of the Troubles were not 'collateral damage' and they deserve justice
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: The victims of the Troubles were not 'collateral damage' and they deserve justice

Jun 2nd 2013, 7:30 PM 594 Views 121 Comments

The introduction of a bill that would ban people convicted of serious offences from being appointed as a special advisor to a minister in Northern Ireland has raised more serious questions: who are the victims of the Troubles – and have we forgotten them?

Friday 17 May, 2013

Column: Three things modern politicians should learn from the Lemass era
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Three things modern politicians should learn from the Lemass era

May 17th 2013, 1:00 PM 192 Views 22 Comments

Séan Lemass is one of the few Irish leaders whose popularity transcends political parties – but his path wasn’t always an easy one. Modern politicians could learn a lot from his approach to politics, writes David McCann.

Saturday 27 April, 2013

Column: Why are people disengaging with politics in Northern Ireland?
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Why are people disengaging with politics in Northern Ireland?

Apr 27th 2013, 1:00 PM 42 Views 26 Comments

Following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, more than 70 per cent of people turned out to elect the first assembly. Fast forward 15 years and the people seem disenchanted, but why, asks David McCann.

Tuesday 9 April, 2013

Column: Few politicians have courted controversy and adoration like Thatcher
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Few politicians have courted controversy and adoration like Thatcher

Apr 9th 2013, 7:30 PM 53 Views 106 Comments

In Ireland, we tend to think of Margaret Thatcher as either the prime minister who let the hunger strikers die or the pragmatist who signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement. David McCann wonders if this is too narrow a view.

Friday 29 March, 2013

Column: Not enough has been done to uphold the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Not enough has been done to uphold the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement

Mar 29th 2013, 1:00 PM 42 Views 56 Comments

It’s true Northern Ireland has come a long way over the last fifteen years, but we cannot afford to hang the ‘mission accomplished’ banner over the peace process, writes David McCann.

Thursday 28 February, 2013

Column: The Government could learn from the mistakes of Cosgrave's National Coalition
# Read Me
# Read Me

Column: The Government could learn from the mistakes of Cosgrave's National Coalition

Feb 28th 2013, 7:00 PM 94 Views 31 Comments

On the 40th anniversary of the election of the Fine Gael-Labour coalition that ended a record sixteen years of Fianna Fáil government, David McCann reflects on what lessons the current government should take from its predecessors.

Friday 8 February, 2013

Column: To move on from the Troubles we have to face the past with compassion
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: To move on from the Troubles we have to face the past with compassion

Feb 8th 2013, 7:00 AM 99 Views 41 Comments

Behind each death of the Troubles are real, grieving people – many of whom have been waiting for the truth for far too long, writes David McCann.

Wednesday 23 January, 2013

Column: Border poll? Frankly, now isn’t the time
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Border poll? Frankly, now isn’t the time

Jan 23rd 2013, 7:00 AM 92 Views 93 Comments

Calls for a vote on reunification betray an ignorance of the real issues affecting Ireland today, writes David McCann.

Friday 4 January, 2013

Column: Viewed from abroad, Ireland’s reconciliation is a success story
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Viewed from abroad, Ireland’s reconciliation is a success story

Jan 4th 2013, 7:00 AM 16 Views 16 Comments

David McCann travelled to Korea, a partitioned country with a chequered economic history. The view from there is very different, he writes.

Thursday 6 December, 2012

Column: Real reform is being overlooked in the deficit scramble
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Real reform is being overlooked in the deficit scramble

Dec 6th 2012, 7:00 AM 14 Views 11 Comments

There was broad consensus that our political system needed major change, writes David McCann – but that now seems largely forgotten.

Sunday 11 November, 2012

Column: ‘Surely it’s time Ireland embraced the memorial poppy’
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: ‘Surely it’s time Ireland embraced the memorial poppy’

Nov 11th 2012, 8:15 AM 150 Views 139 Comments

It’s not about choosing sides – Ireland should lose its timidity and commemorate fallen Irish soldiers, writes David McCann.

Saturday 20 October, 2012

Column: Ireland has to stay neutral on Scottish independence
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Ireland has to stay neutral on Scottish independence

Oct 20th 2012, 12:00 PM 41 Views 54 Comments

We’ve always decried interference into our affairs on this island – it would serve us well to afford the same approach to the 2014 referendum in Scotland.

Friday 28 September, 2012

Column: Why sorry is the hardest word
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Why sorry is the hardest word

Sep 28th 2012, 7:30 PM 15 Views 32 Comments

How can a government be asked to apologise for something in recent history when the full facts have yet to be disclosed, writes David McCann.

Wednesday 12 September, 2012

Column: Why is Alan Ryan's funeral the face of republicanism?
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Why is Alan Ryan's funeral the face of republicanism?

Sep 12th 2012, 7:00 AM 284 Views 83 Comments

If politicians don’t want the masked men marching in a funeral cortege to continue being seen as the real face of republicanism, writes David McCann, they need to change the conversation.

Wednesday 29 August, 2012

Column: Surely Loyalist marchers want a better image than this?
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Surely Loyalist marchers want a better image than this?

Aug 29th 2012, 8:30 PM 77 Views 65 Comments

The violence during parades in Belfast last weekend have David McCann pondering the need for Unionism to appeal to Catholics as well as Protestants.

Sunday 12 August, 2012

Column: It’s 30 years since GUBU. Now THAT was a political battle.
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: It’s 30 years since GUBU. Now THAT was a political battle.

Aug 12th 2012, 8:30 AM 431 Views 20 Comments

University of Ulster politics academic David McCann recalls the events of 1982 – and says we’ve never seen such a politically-charged atmosphere in this country since that turbulent year.

Tuesday 7 August, 2012

Column: Sinn Féin is partitionist when it comes to party policy
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: Sinn Féin is partitionist when it comes to party policy

Aug 7th 2012, 8:15 PM 230 Views 124 Comments

Can SF hope to represent voters on a 32-county basis, asks David McCann, when they can’t keep their policies aligned north and south of the border?

Sunday 8 July, 2012

Column: The British government is facing separation anxiety
# Opinion
# Opinion

Column: The British government is facing separation anxiety

Jul 8th 2012, 1:00 PM 28 Views 23 Comments

But this isn’t about Ireland for a change as the Falklands and Scotland look to upcoming referendums on their future, writes David McCann from the University of Ulster.

Thursday 5 July, 2012

Column: Jack Lynch's victory 35 years today was a PR one...
# Read Me
# Read Me

Column: Jack Lynch's victory 35 years today was a PR one...

Jul 5th 2012, 7:00 AM 1,119 Views 27 Comments

…But while the watershed campaign gave Fianna Fáil a landslide in 1977, writes David McCann, the triumph was short-lived and carries lessons for us today.

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