On my recent transatlantic trip I headed for the cheap seats and a government official headed for the comfy ones. I just assumed that was the way it was. But now, skimming through this week's written answers, I see that there's internecine strife between the Executive parties over ministers' use of business class.
Sinn Fein's Daithi McKay has been asking other parties' ministers how far they have flown on business class. The DUP's Simon Hamilton has responded by asking Sinn Fein ministers the same thing. The SDLP's Margaret Ritchie has answered the same question from both MLAs.
So far as I can tell the business class league table since May 2007 is as follows (I shall update this when I get hold of any answers from other ministers):
1. DFM Martin McGuinness 7 business class flights £13,540
2. DSD Min. Margaret Ritchie 15 business flights £8,322 (plus 5 economy)
3. Junior Min. Gerry Kelly 6 business flights £5,678 plus 520 Euros
4. Finance Min. Peter Robinson 14 business flights £4,340
5. Environment Min. Arlene Foster 5 business flights £1,522
6. Health Min. Michael McGimpsey 4 business flights £1,210
7. Agriculture Min. Michelle Gildernew 1 business flight £310
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We had an understandably sober start to the Assembly proceedings this morning, with all the parties condemning the booby trap bomb attack on a police officer in County Tyrone. The politicians then queued up in the Great hall to assure us that those responsible had no meaningful support and the Stormont institutions are stable enough to withstand such provocations.
After that it was business as usual, with the parties tearing strips off each other during their final debate on the Victims and Survivors Bill. Accusations of hypocrisy were traded (ruled out of order by the Deputy Speaker) and a bizarre clash over whether there is such a party as "Provisional Sinn Fein". Francie Molloy and Gerry Kelly say it doesn't exist. Danny Kennedy insists it does.
The Ulster Unionist Basil McCrea has been on his feet again, not saving himself for today's debate suggesting Caitriona Ruane should set up an Executive sub-committee on the vexed question of post primary school transfer. Instead surprise, surprise, he has been crossing swords with Sammy, Jeffrey et al.
I don't know if it was anything to do with the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Politics Show naming him as "Best Newcomer", but last night a UUP press release named Basil as "the Ulster Unionist Education Minister". This morning they put out a clarification; "please see revised copy as previous had minor error referring to Basil as 'Minister'. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused." No inconvenience, whatsoever....
I'm 