Devolution – Northern Ireland

Devolution of Powers to Northern Ireland Assembly

Background – Motivation/The need for reform?

• There have long been movements dedicated to the introduction of greater self government for Britain’s national regions
• The devolution of power to Northern Ireland has to be seen within the context of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 (GFA)
• However, there are a number of reasons why it is different to Wales and Scotland
• The Deep sectarian divide in Northern Ireland (NI) = fundamental  and devolution arrangements had to take account of this – especially the fact that in many cases it would be difficult to reach a consensus
• Normal ‘British’ model = tends to ensure a clear majority – so that govt. = dominated by one party.  This would not have been good in NI (Ulster Unionists have dominated NI politics since 1921 = main problem and reason for discontent) = any new system had to ensure against this
• The electoral system had to reflect the diversity of the political community
• A power sharing agreement was needed

Reforms

• Under the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) – a Northern Ireland Assembly (NIA) was established with powers of primary legislation, education, health etc [however defence and foreign policy, relations with Irish Republic, economic policy, social policy and taxation = all still with Westminster]

What were the effects of the Reform?

• Electoral system for NIA = Single Transferable Vote – results of 2007 election reflect the plurality that this encourages – five groups won significant representation entitling them to a share in Govt. = results = highly proportional
• In NIA – legislation = only passed if there is a majority among parties on both sides of the sectarian divide = makes law making difficult – but does ensure consensus

How successful has it been? – Praise/criticisms

• Since 1998 there has been difficult progress towards permanent govt. in NI
• Lack of trust between main parties = they were unable to form a Govt. and direct rule from London was restored
• In 2007 = St. Andrews agreement = breakthrough achieved and new Northern Ireland Executive took office with DUP leader Ian Paisley as first minister  and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness as his deputy
• Since then further problems between Nationalists and Loyalists = created uncertain progress
• Further breakthrough = February 2010 = all parties agreed to transfer of law and order and security issues to the Northern Ireland Executive = highly significant event