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As a teenager I tried a bit of karate, but gave it up after coming to the conclusion that, in the name of learning self defence, I was getting beaten up on a weekly basis.

So I asked Martina Purdy to do the dangerous job of covering a karate demonstration in the Long Gallery this lunchtime. The "Do Wado Kai" karate group were at Stormont to press their case for a new home in the Belfast, after being told they have to vacate their current premises.

The Culture Committee are supporting the karate enthusiasts and, for the benefit of the cameras, the Chair, Barry McElduff, and the Vice Chair, David McNarry were happy to stage a sham fight. Their instructor told them the sport was about teaching mutual respect, not fighting. But after a few words about whether the disused prison west of Lisburn should be called the Maze or Long Kesh, the Vice Chair looked ready to pummel the Chair into a corner of the Long Gallery.

Both politicians are officially "white belt" beginners, however Mr McElduff took an improvised "black belt" from his briefcase just to intimidate his opponent.

Next week the Greens host a junior chess tournament in the Long Gallery. Now that's the kind of combat I can cope with.

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