Blogs

This published by the Celtic League:

Getting the News media We deserve

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The remark by Peter Karran, MHK, about the Isle of Man having a ‘Mickey Mouse’ news media may be dismissed as just a throwaway remark in the Keys during one of Mr Karran’s interminable clashes with the establishment.

However, as we remarked in an early item for CL News the alacrity with which a government spokesman denigrated Mr Karran and praised the press must beg the question; Has the Manx media become ‘a creature’ of government?

This published by the Celtic League:

League Follow-up on Prison Concerns

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The Council of Europe (CPT) and the United Nations Special rapporteur have been asked to inquire into circumstances at Maghaberry Prison.

The correspondence from the Celtic League is a follow up to concerns raised with Justice Minister, David Ford, MLA earlier this week.

The text of the correspondence to the two bodies is set out below:

This published by the Celtic League:

Milibands Mates: In Bed with the Merchants of Death

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Ed Miliband adopted the moral high ground somewhat when he revealed during a pre-election sound-bite earlier this week that he intended to take a tough line with tax havens.

This published by the Celtic League:

Irish GCSE Back on England and Wales Curriculum in Two Years

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Irish will be back on the GCSE curriculum for England and Wales in two years time it has been revealed.

The language was removed from the school system in 2013 at a time when Coláiste na nGael said there was ‘rising demand’ for the course.

This published by the Celtic League:

Military Cadets: Abuse Goes on as Child Commissioners Mark Time

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales (CCW) has acknowledged concerns communicated to their Office in the past two months by the Celtic League outlining issues with military cadet forces.

Similar letters were sent to child welfare bodies in the other Celtic countries (see link):

This published by the Celtic League:

Milibrand Biting the Hand that Feeds Him!

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The Isle of Man’s probity as a financial services centre has come under attack from United Kingdom Labour Party Leader, Ed Miliband (see link below).

This published by the Celtic League:

DHA Respond on Anti-Money Laundering Queries

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The Department of Home Affairs have responded to queries raised by the Celtic League one month ago about a new Anti Money Laundering ‘Code’. The League had raised issues of ‘clarity’, ‘penalties’ and ‘professional accountability.

This published by the Celtic League:

GCHQ ‘Have Form’ When it Comes to Snooping on Ireland

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Documents released by the ‘whistleblower’ Edward Snowden in late November 2014 revealed that the UK spy facility at GCHQ was targeting undersea cable communications between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

As is usual when such revelations emerge the Irish government (i.e. its Departments of Justice and Communications) wanted to say as little as possible about the issue.

This published by the Celtic League:

DHA Respond on RIPA

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The Isle of Man Minister for Home Affairs, Juan Watterson, has responded to a query from the Celtic League about the legislation which TV licensing detection personnel use on their ‘sorties’ into the Isle of Man.

The League had asked if the controversial United Kingdom, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) was used on the Island.

The DHA say it has not been extended to this jurisdiction.

The full text of their letter is set out below:

This published by the Celtic League:

Foreign Ministers Visit Strengthens Irish Scottish Links

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Irelands Minister for Foreign Affairs has stressed the potential for increased bilateral trade between Ireland and Scotland.

Charles Flanagan, TD, was speaking at the Europa Institute in Edinburgh. During his visit to Scotland the Foreign Minister will be meeting Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
In his address at the Europa Institute he said: