The opener

Looks like all's on track for a May 8 opening at Stormont. Old hands around here know this is what this blog's been looking forward to for nearly two years, so I'm going to be raising a glass that day as we finally get democratic power-sharing. Boy, it's been a long time coming.

Apparently Tony Blur and Bertie Ahem plan to be there to soak up some of the glory. Aye well, they'll be welcome enough, but I reckon this is something for heads of state. It's a huge moment in Ulster history, and I want to see it presided over by the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Uachtarán na hÉireann. What a day it would be for us all. What a uniter.

And afterwards they could go to Dublin for the Queen's first state visit to Éire, cementing the modern-day friendship between the two states brought together, in no small part, by the enfant terrible that is Norn Iron. As a dual passport holder and a fan of things British and things Irish, I'd be overjoyed. A Big day. Hope it happens.