Northern Ireland Political Crisis

Brian O'Connell, who is RTE's former London Editor, was in E with Maxine McWhinney answering questions about the NI Elections.

He was speaking to her while during the midday bulletin on the NC.

Indeed. A few minutes into the NI coverage and I was a bit lost, and googling the term "Garden Centre Unionists" which was brought up as a talking point by some analysts...

Nice wee video from the BBC showing the different election opening titles since 1998:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39151214

RTÉ ran an extra edition of The Week in Politics yesterday to cover the NI election, and extended Friday's Six One to 90 mins.

Elsewhere it appears NI is getting a completely seperate edition of The Sunday Politics this morning instead of an opt out.

Indeed the usual repeat of the opt-out on BBC2 this evening is the full 75 minutes.

It was pointed out a few pages ago.

I must say, I thought the coverage and graphics on BBC NEWS NI were excellent.

It was indeed. Mark Carruthers was an excellent anchor. The whole production stood up well against any local election coverage I've seen in any other nation - and even Network.

Off on a slight tangent...

...whilst I was glad to hear the recent news about increased budgets for BBC Scotland and BBC Wales, it's very disappointing that BBC Northern Ireland continues to be overlooked. We've been waiting on an announcement about a new HQ site for BBC NI for years now - and still nothing - whilst our counterparts in Scotland moved into Pacific Quay long ago, and a new base in Cardiff will soon be completed. There's also a decent amount of network production in Scotland and Wales - dwarfing what goes on at BBC NI. There's a lot of talent on this side of the Irish Sea. And costs are also lower. I'm sure we could be doing more for Network - given the opportunity.

A press release on the funding for BBC Scotland said at the bottom:

Has any new outlet explained the results in a way that doesn't seem as a complete surprise? Turnout it its highest in 18 years? Yet everyone got more voters ( I believe) and yet its claimed Unionism is weaking? What proof is there expect more people came out to vote, is is possible its been like this for years but people like meh I,m not voting?

Aaah...wasn't aware of that. Hopefully the announcement will be worth waiting for and will include some confirmation about a site for BBC NI's new HQ.

30-minute BBC Newsline at 1.30pm today, then a one-hour edition at 6.30pm to cover the passing of Martin McGuinness.

Coincidentally, BBC One NI has an edition of its occasional 'Spotlight Special' audience debates tonight at 10.40pm. With the post-election negotiations going on in the background at the moment, the tone of that programme could be rather telling tonight.

EDIT: and also a UTV Live Special from 1.55pm.