After I posted my previous entry about David Hilditch and DLA it was brought to my attention that the DUP MLA took part in the Assembly football team trip to London last weekend and played during the match against the Welsh assembly. This afternoon I made a few enquiries about this - one other player said he found it hard to understand, but another pointed out that Mr Hilditch had come on with a heavily strapped knee and had only played a "very minimal part" in the game.
Tonight the Carrickfergus Mayor told me that he spent almost all the trip spectating from the sideline "but the lads let me on with a few minutes to go just so I can raise money for charity". He said he would love to really be able to play in the match, as he used to enjoy football and road running, but his current condition does not allow it.
The Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has just relaunched a campaign on unclaimed benefits under the slogan "Are you entitled to more money?" The minister says £6 million in benefits weren't claimed last year.
I presume this isn't connected to the news that the DUP MLAs David Hilditch and Allan Bresland are in receipt of disability benefit. The issue prompted quite a reaction both on the Slugger O'Toole website, where it was originally posted by the Ulster Unionist Michael Shilliday, and then on today's Nolan Show, on which Mr Hilditch mounted a reasoned defence. He pointed out that he suffers from osteo-arthritis and disability living allowance isn't means tested, so should not be offset against his MLA salary.
The Stormont register of members interests, which reveals the DLA claims, is worth a look. Nothing too scandalous that I can see. But if you want to find out which politicians are masons (Leslie Cree and Sammy Gardiner),which is a subpostmaster (Stephen Moutray), who is a rifle and pistol enthusiast (David Simpson) and who plays in a silver band (Danny Kennedy) then it's the place for you.
https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/expenses/register2.htm
The newly appointed Senator Eoghan Harris was expected to make a colourful contribution to last night's West Belfast Talks Back debate. And he didn't disappoint. However, he may have got more than he bargained for. A member of the audience, one Jude Collins, a former columnist for the now defunct Daily Ireland, challenged the Senator, also a newspaper columnist, to a bet. Mr Collins quoted a column Senator Harris had written for the Sunday Independent predicting that Fianna Fail would mop up Sinn Fein's remaining Dail seats at the next election. Mr Collins who clearly disagreed with this prediction pointedly produced a £100 note (from the First Trust Bank). What odds, he asked, would Senator Harris give him on the re-election of Sinn Fein's TDs. Senator Harris relished the challenge and the two men agreed ten to one odds, to great cheers from the audience.
So, aside from us political correspondents who live for elections, there's at least two people on the island who can't wait for the the next poll.
I'm 
