The DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson is my guest for this weekend's Inside Politics. I use the programme to explore the role of his Assembly and Executive Review Committee which is meant to be examining possible changes to the number of MLAs and Stormont departments, as well as reporting back by the end of February on what preparations have been made for transferring justice powers to local politicians.
The Lagan Valley MP was one of the most vocal opponents of the Sexual Orientation Regulations. So I also question him about a judgement this week by the Lord Chief Justice refusing to over turn the law banning unmarried couples from adopting.
Since January the Health Department has had proposals ready to change the law to bring it into line with the rest of the UK. This would enable both unmarried and same sex couples to adopt. The consultation, conducted by the former Health Minister Paul Goggins, received thousands of objections from Christians opposed to gay couples adopting, but Mr Goggins' department rejected their objections.
The current Health Minister Michael McGimpsey is "aware that this is an issue on which there are varying views and will give it his full consideration before deciding how to proceed.” Which means he knows it could be a tricky one. True to form, Jeffrey Donaldson tells me his party will vigorously oppose any change in the law along the lines supported by Mr Goggins.
Coming after Ian Jr.'s "repulsed" comments, will adoption be the next litmus test for the DUP's attitude towards gay people?
P.S. Just as I was about to begin my interview with Jeffrey D., I discovered a pair of shoes under the studio desk. I suspect they belong to a Mr Stephen Nolan. Is he spending the weekend padding around in his socks? I think we should be told.
Inexplicably I have not managed to mention Jim Shannon in the blog this week.
This, despite the fact that the DUP MLA for Strangford continued to speak in Ulster Scots in the chamber, most recently on the topic of rural post offices "we ir noo a devolved ‘Semmelie at bes fit tae maak a differ an’ pley a baag pairt no onie tae houl oantae oor Poast Offaices bit tae mak’ thaim betther.".
Not only that, but Mr Shannon sponsored a Games Fair event which saw a Williamite hussar and two white chargers at the bottom of the Stormont stairs, and the Environment Minister Arlene Foster posing with a hawk on her arm. So despite previous insinuations that Mr Shannon might view birds of prey as unfair competition for shooting enthusiasts in their common endeavour of bagging grouse, he has beaten all other legislators in the competition to bring the predators to Stormont.
The last straw, though, and the one which convinced me I had to rectify this omission was a question from Mr Shannon to the Environment Minister on the topic of rotting seaweed. Jim tells me he is hopeful that the Environment and Heritage Service will soon allow people at Ballyferris Beach to clear the seaweed by hand, if not by tractor.
One last plea - I know you've brought the birds of prey to Stormont, Jim, but don't feel you have to bring the rotting seaweed.
The main political news today is Peter Robinson's decision to stop giving Sinn Fein money in order to directly employ their own drivers. One can imagine why republican ministers didn't in the past want to use civil service drivers. Now, unless the Finance Minister's decision is overturned, they will have to use the government car pool drivers or pay for their own. It could lead to a few good anecdotes along the lines of "I had that Martin McGuinness in the back of the car once..."
It reminds me of one freezing day in January 2005 when I was reporting on a Sinn Fein delegation getting a supposed "dressing down" from Tony Blair at Chequers. The encounter took place in the wake of the Northern Bank robbery and the murder of Robert McCartney.
I wanted to catch Gerry Adams for an Inside Politics interview and the only way to do it was to get into his car on his way back to Heathrow. Much to the bemusement of the waiting camera crews, I jumped into the vehicle as if I was part of the Sinn Fein delegation.
We then conducted our 15 minute interview with a bit of difficulty as the Sinn Fein people carrier swung around endless tight corners on the narrow roads through the Chiltern Hills. After finishing, I asked to be dropped off at the next village we came though. Gerry Adams' press officer conveyed the request to the driver, then the Sinn Fein President added "drop him off by all means, but there's no need to slow down". I think he was joking...
On the topic of ministerial cars, I am told a new fleet is on order and they are Skodas. At least they're not Trabants.
I'm 
