NIGAG hosts unique European Election Panel
20/05/09

Pictured with the Euro election election candidates are NIGAG Vice-Chairman Gerry Carson (far left), Chairman Will Chambre (fourth from left) and Vice-Chairman Glyn Roberts (sixth from left).

The Northern Ireland Government Affairs Group has hosted an all seven candidates panel discussion which was recorded by BBC Northern Ireland for a special edition of The Politics Show which will be broadcast on Sunday May 31.

In association with the Chief Executives’ Club at Queen’s University and sponsored by Weber Shandwick, some 140 special guests in the Great Hall at Queen’s took part in  topical instant opinion questions following which chairman  presenter Jim Fitzpatrick had his work cut out in lively and at  times acrimonious exchanges between panellists.

The Euro Election Special featured candidates: Steven Agnew, Green Party, Jim Allister, Traditional Unionist Voice, Bairbre de Brun, Sinn Fein, Diane Dodds, Democratic Unionist Party, Alban Maginness, Social Democratic and Labour Party, Jim Nicholson, Conservatives and Unionists, and Ian Parsley, Alliance Party.

The event was attended by many NIGAG members led by its Chairman Will Chambré and Vice Chairmen Glyn Roberts and Gerry Carson, all three being unanimous in hailing the success of the evening which was organised on behalf of NIGAG by committee member Chris Brown of Weber Shandwick.

The Northern Ireland Government Affairs was delighted with the audience turn out at its 2009 EU Election Hustings Event and with the lively debate between the candidates.

“This was a splendid effort and I understand unique in that the recording at Queen’s will be the only broadcast involving all seven local candidates in the Euro election,” said NIGAG Chair Will Chambré. “The attendance included many key business, community and political figures and augurs well for the other events in this years’ NIGAG programme.”

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