There's Gold on That Thar Hill

I could tell you all about Ian Paisley's comical first attempt at fielding questions from MLAs during today's debate. I could also tell you all about the puzzled look on Tommy Burns' (SDLP MLA) face as he wondered why Big Ian was talking about equality when his question was actually nothing to do with Ian Junior's remarks about gay people, but about the role of junior ministers - but I won't.
That question time was all showmanship (and brief at that as the First Minister was only on his feet for 30 minutes), and in the end advanced the position of people in the North not one iota.
However, arguably the most crucial substantive issue of the day received little attention from media circle outside the self confessed nerds - the Budget Bill made its first appearance in Stormont today, and yes it's boring stuff, but just like cod-liver oil tablets, it may be hard to swallow but it's good for you. Without the money to back it up, all the MLAs' promises are worthless so it is a little disappointing that more coverage hasn't been given to this crucial issue, but sure that's what this blog is for I guess.
Don't worry, I am well aware that the word budget has the same power as Derren Brown clicking his fingers whilst saying "And sleep!" so I'll keep it brief - the initial stages of the first Stormont budget's swift passage through the Assembly took place today.
In total the members in Stormont will have some £14.1 billion, to invest (or fritter away) in the various departments, with approximately half of this, at first sight, gargantuan, but on closer inspection, quite modest sum coming from Westminster.
Finanace Minister Peter Robinson enjoyed a relatively good natured and squabble free ride as he addressed the House on what was officially a motion about transfer of money from Westminster to Stormont but which in essence was a budget debate.
The softly softly approach by the House was in recognition of the fact that the East Belfast rep had inherited the budget from his direct rule predecessors, and was the architect of very little of it.
Despite the fact that it has to endure five stages before it become an act, on June 25, it is unlikely to meet with any resistence in what is essentially a rubber stamping exercise.
How this money has been provisionally allocated will become clear with the publishing of the Budget Bill on the Assembly's website (www.niassembly.gov.uk) tomorrow. Now I bet you can't wait to log on.