As part of the celebrations surrounding the 125th year of the IFA, Northern Ireland have lined up a match against Portugal at Windsor Park next month. There was some wrangling over a dispute on TV coverage between the two FAs (no details as to how this was resolved) but the match has been confirmed for Tuesday 15th November, 24 hours ahead of the date originally pencilled in.

Jim Boyce spoke of a 'special relationship' between the FAs being responsible for bringing Portugal to Belfast.

"Portugal could have commanded five times the deal they are getting from us by going to the United Arab Emirates. They are coming here thanks to a special relationship we've forged with the Portuguese FA."
Jim Boyce, IFA President

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Some of you may remember a while back I posted about an offer where you can get a free iPod. One of the conditions was that you took part in a 21-day free trial of a DVD rental company. You can cancel before the 21 days is up and pay nothing and it still counts - but it just got better. If you don't fancy the DVD rental, they've now added eBay to their list of offers - and you can now get an iPod Nano!

So let's recap. Sign up with freepay (formerly "Free iPods") and choose the eBay offer. The deal is you sign up to eBay and place a bid (you have to click through from their site to eBay - no worries there). Then all you have to do is place a single, solitary bid. It doesn't matter what you bid on or how much, you can bid a penny on a laptop PC or a car - it still counts!

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It seems I'm not the only one a little disheartened about the news of the appointment of Bertha McDougall as the Victims' Commissioner for Northern Ireland. It's nothing personally to do with Ms McDougall, as I know nothing about her other than she is the widow of an RUC reservist, murdered by the INLA in 1981 (according to the report). My worry is that it seems to have been a sop to the DUP. It's just another one of their emotive symbolic aims.

The issue is contentious. I'm not even sure how I feel myself about the creation of a Victims' Commissioner. On the one hand it's only fair that those caused the most hurt during the last 35 years are not forgotten, but the way this has been handled stinks of political posturing and populist bandwagon jumping by the DUP (let's face it, it's what they do best). It also reinforces the shocking MOPE mentality that somehow, as the Shankill Mirror put it, "We're all victims!"

I hope the Victims Commissioner works well and helps those who have lost loved ones through the tougher times (although is it not a bit late for that?) - but somehow, given past experience in Northern Ireland, I get the impression the office will be used as some sort of football as loyalists and republicans try to out-MOPE each other.

Sir Reg Empey has done the first notable thing I can think of since he took over the leadership of the Ulster Unionists and called on loyalists to respond to the IRA disarmament. Sir Reg's comments were made to the BBC and came as the Ulster Unionists held their first annual conference since he took over as head of the party.

"I think a lot of them now recognise that things have moved on - times have changed. It's not possible to sustain their current position and they did say over the years that in the circumstances where the IRA were clearly moving off the field, they would respond to that positively. I think the time has come to make that response."
Sir Reg Empey, UUP Leader

I was surprised to note that he also said mainstream unionists couldn't be absolved of responsibility for some being drawn into the ranks of the paramilitaries. I don't know if it's the first time a politician has admitted this or not, but it's the first time I know of. The question now is, what do they do about it?

Paula McCartney, the last remaining sister of murdered Robert McCartney still living in the Short Strand area has left her home of 40 years in disgust at the treatment her family has received since her brother's death. She said she felt "disillusioned, disgusted and betrayed" by events since Robert's murder, including the fact that her brother's alleged IRA killers are still walking around Short Strand getting on with things as normal.

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SpideSpotting T-Shirts from £9.99 (Value T) to £12.99 (Quality T)

That's right folks, I didn't get time to post yesterday (or see much news) in part down to rearranging my T-Shirt shop. One reason for this was because I've a new Value T-Shirt on sale. You can now get your hands on a SpideSpotting T-Shirt from just £9.99!

The most popular designs like the God Loves Thick People t-shirt are now on the front page of the shop with the special England F. All Since '66 range relegated to page 2. Oh and there's also a SpideSpotting mouse pad available.

Nothing like a bit of shameless self-promotion is there?

An average cow is costing the EU (and its citizens) nearly $1,000 a year

Europe's cows have apparently been given a pay rise today. It was mentioned on the daily politics that under EU regulations, western European cows will now be subsidised to the tune of $2.62/day (up from $2.20).

So while much of the population sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture and industry is stifled and frustrated by unfair EU subsidies and/or tarriffs, survive on less than $1 a day, the good old outward looking, progressive EU is paying it's cows nearly three times that! I haven't yet mentioned the fact that it's only the richer western European countries where these subsidies apply, the 10 new accession countries have no such scheme (as it would probably bankrupt the EU).

Meanwhile both the US and EU are making gestures that would seem to show they're making progress in removing these unfair, expensive and anti-competitive subsidies. They're even touting cuts in subsidies and quoting figures like 60% and 70%, but it looks like that might all be 'smoke and mirrors'.

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Sorry activity has been slightly non-existent here at EU today, I've been tied up between 2 assignments due in tomorrow for university and trying to wrangle with my fascist employers over what I can only describe as vandalism to my car perpetrated while I was at work last night.

I didn't miss an 'expert' opinion that 24 hour licensing in Ulster would be a "disaster" though. Apparently our psyche isn't suited to the 24 hour availability of alcohol, or so says Victor Robinson an alleged addiction expert at the University of Ulster. His claims came as a reaction to a decision to put the issue of 24 hour alcohol licenses out to consultation later this year. Sounds like the idea's scuppered before it's got off the ground though as Alcohol Concern and the Health Promotion Agency also jumped in against the idea.

I can't wait to hear Ian Paisley explain how it's a papish plot to ensure Ulster is handed to Rome on a plate, while we're all off drinking our way into damnation.

Northern Ireland's health minister, Shaun Woodward, today announced a complete ban on smoking in public places in the province due to come into effect in April 2007.

Arguments that it could endager jobs of bar staff have been largely countered by reports that the number of bar staff employed in the Republic since the ban there came into force has increased - and they're healthier too!

Obviously if you read my recent post "Your Right To Be Smoke Free" you'll know I'm delighted at the prospect of going for a night out without having to breathe in smoke in the bar. I'm slightly disappointed that Mr Woodward claims to have been swayed by the impact on the health of bar staff (rather than the general public) as it seems like he's almost apologising from the outset and making excuses for his decision, but the important thing is that he was swayed.

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It seems everyday life in Northern Ireland is still being disrupted by gangs of thugs intent on wreaking havoc for the sake of something to do. This weekend saw Denis Bradley, Vice Chairman of the Policing Board, state he would not resign before April when the board is due to be reconstituted. This announcement came after he was attacked with a baseball bat by a masked man in a bar in Londonderry last month. The attack is believed to have been the work of republicans.

Then this weekend, a Ballymena Saturday Morning League football match between Harryville Homers and Broadway Celtic had to be called off over fears UDA thugs were planning to attend the match. It's pretty sad when guys can't even go and kick a ball about without having to look over their shoulder for who might be watching.

What is it makes these useless wastes of space think that what they're doing is anything but selfish and harmful to the rest of society in Northern Ireland? There is no greater cause; it's savagery for the sake of savagery and it needs to stop.