Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
1
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
In the years leading up to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, considerable groundwork had been laid through patient negotiation, compromise, and determination to end the Troubles, a period of conflict which had claimed the lives of more of more than 3,500 people. We commend those who established what would become the …
Read more
In the years leading up to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, considerable groundwork had been laid through patient negotiation, compromise, and determination to end the Troubles, a period of conflict which had claimed the lives of more of more than 3,500 people. We commend those who established what would become the pillars of the Agreement and thank them for their contribution to the peace process. The final talks did not exist in isolation, and it is important to recognise that the architecture of peace was achieved through a long and difficult period of dialogue prior to April 1998.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government recognised the importance and achievements of the Agreement, affirming its role as a living document, and stated its commitment to ensuring any future discussions on reforms are led by the people of Northern Ireland with cross-community consent.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
3
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is the basis of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Several key provisions are codified in both domestic and international law and it has overwhelming democratic legitimacy—from which is derived a near- universal understanding that Northern Ireland should never again be blighted by violent conflict. It also …
Read more
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is the basis of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Several key provisions are codified in both domestic and international law and it has overwhelming democratic legitimacy—from which is derived a near- universal understanding that Northern Ireland should never again be blighted by violent conflict. It also includes clear imperatives upon the parties in Northern Ireland and the British and Irish governments to regularly review its operation and to take remedial action where necessary to address difficulties in accordance with their treaty obligations.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the inquiry and reaffirms its unshakable commitment to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, sharing the Committee's view that it provides the only legitimate basis for governance in Northern Ireland.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
4
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
As we will set out, this inquiry has found that there is scope for reform of the Agreement’s institutions—as is reflected in the findings that follow. It has also found that there is notable public interest in options for reform. We are mindful, however, of the specific provision made for …
Read more
As we will set out, this inquiry has found that there is scope for reform of the Agreement’s institutions—as is reflected in the findings that follow. It has also found that there is notable public interest in options for reform. We are mindful, however, of the specific provision made for review and remediation within the text of the Agreement, and while we believe our findings go some way to identifying changes that need to be made and areas which require focused and sustained attention, we emphasise that only on the basis of calls for substantive change from people in Northern Ireland can the Government, in partnership with the Government of Ireland, and in partnership with the Northern Ireland parties, take this work forward. (Paragraph 22) 74 The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the challenges to stability and public interest in reform, agreeing that any substantive discussion on reforms must be led by the people of Northern Ireland and their representatives.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
6
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
In the 25 years since their inception, numerous attempts have been made at strengthening the viability and stability of the Strand One institutions in complex and challenging political circumstances. The successor agreements—and subsequent legislative alterations to the institutions—serve to illustrate the delicate context in which the institutions operate and the …
Read more
In the 25 years since their inception, numerous attempts have been made at strengthening the viability and stability of the Strand One institutions in complex and challenging political circumstances. The successor agreements—and subsequent legislative alterations to the institutions—serve to illustrate the delicate context in which the institutions operate and the near-constant effort required from the Northern Ireland parties and the British and Irish governments to facilitate their continued existence. We recognise that they have not had all-party consensus or involvement and remain the subject of continued criticism. It is also apparent that it is difficult for the institutions to reform themselves without the input of the British and Irish governments. Nonetheless, the very existence of successor agreements and the changes they have instituted illustrates that reform of the Agreement’s institutions is possible, even if such reform is piecemeal and sometimes lacking in implementation. (Paragraph 40) Strand One - an evaluation
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the challenges and the committee's observations, reiterating its long-standing approach of working with local parties on the basis of cross-community consent for changes and noting that any future reform discussions must be carefully considered with community support.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
7
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
Cross-community safeguards were a fundamental aspect of the Strand One institutions’ design. They recognised and accommodated the politics of a deeply divided, post-conflict society and were undoubtedly fundamental to securing agreement between Unionist and Nationalist parties in 1998. With an understanding drawn from that time, the institutions have facilitated successfully …
Read more
Cross-community safeguards were a fundamental aspect of the Strand One institutions’ design. They recognised and accommodated the politics of a deeply divided, post-conflict society and were undoubtedly fundamental to securing agreement between Unionist and Nationalist parties in 1998. With an understanding drawn from that time, the institutions have facilitated successfully cross-community government and we recognise the continued importance of Unionist/Nationalist representation to the legitimacy of government in Northern Ireland and the wider stability of the region. However, there is an emerging sense that “cross-community” should take account of the growing section of Northern Ireland society which does not identify as either Unionist or Nationalist. In this sense, it is difficult to maintain that the institutions truly deliver cross-community governance when a significant—and growing—number of elected representatives do not enjoy the same powers within the institutions as their Unionist/Nationalist-designating colleagues. (Paragraph 48) The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 75
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the challenges of balancing cross-community governance and institutional stability, stating that any significant change to cross-community protections would require the support of the whole community.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
8
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
There is broad consensus that the Strand One institutions are unstable and prone to collapse. The current system of nomination to the positions of First Minister and Deputy First Minister gives, in effect, a single party a veto over Executive formation and thus the continued functioning of democratic government in …
Read more
There is broad consensus that the Strand One institutions are unstable and prone to collapse. The current system of nomination to the positions of First Minister and Deputy First Minister gives, in effect, a single party a veto over Executive formation and thus the continued functioning of democratic government in Northern Ireland. It also prevents the proper functioning of the institutions under Strands Two and Three of the Agreement. There is also consensus that even when functioning, the threat of collapse looms large over the institutions, with a pervasive culture of dispute rather than business-like cooperation. It is also apparent that there is insufficient incentive for parties to avoid exercising their power of veto. The result is a highly temperamental system of government.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the instability challenges and notes that discussions on the First Minister and Deputy First Minister nomination process are ongoing, but any significant departure from cross-community protections, like a supermajority nomination, would require extensive consultation and consideration.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
9
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
In spite of their instability—owed in part to stringent cross-community safeguards— the institutions have shown that they can be effective in terms of legislative output. During periods of relative stability, by that metric the Assembly arguably outperforms its counterparts in Scotland and Wales. Evidence also shows that the institutions have …
Read more
In spite of their instability—owed in part to stringent cross-community safeguards— the institutions have shown that they can be effective in terms of legislative output. During periods of relative stability, by that metric the Assembly arguably outperforms its counterparts in Scotland and Wales. Evidence also shows that the institutions have presided over the development of key industries in Northern Ireland. We commend this achievement and recognise that the institutions can constitute an active legislature and that their work has led to good policy outcomes in certain areas.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the report and shares the sentiment, acknowledging the significance and transformative impact of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
11
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
While the design of the institutions—primarily through the use of vetoes and a system of mandatory coalition—stymies the effectiveness of government in Northern Ireland, we also recognise that the success of the institutions in turn depends on the political will of the actors who inhabit them and the working relationships …
Read more
While the design of the institutions—primarily through the use of vetoes and a system of mandatory coalition—stymies the effectiveness of government in Northern Ireland, we also recognise that the success of the institutions in turn depends on the political will of the actors who inhabit them and the working relationships between those actors. Structural weaknesses do not make the institutions inherently ineffective, but when compounded with political realities in Northern Ireland, a poor and highly unsatisfactory record is likely. The achievement of good government in Northern Ireland is a process rather than an event, and too often successor agreements have been seen merely as a means to end impasses and not as binding obligations to deliver on promised outcomes. (Paragraph 71) Strand One - options for reform
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the challenges concerning the stability of the Northern Ireland institutions and the need for reforms to command widespread community support. It states that a review of the Agreement is not being considered at this time, but recognises the report's articulation of governance …
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
23
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
As with Strand Two, we recognise the importance of Strand Three to the overall character and successful functioning of the Agreement. Ostensibly—and evidenced by the way in which they have largely been used—the institutions under Strand Three serve to provide structures to support the operation of the Strand One institutions. …
Read more
As with Strand Two, we recognise the importance of Strand Three to the overall character and successful functioning of the Agreement. Ostensibly—and evidenced by the way in which they have largely been used—the institutions under Strand Three serve to provide structures to support the operation of the Strand One institutions. This is indeed an important function, but it is a limited understanding of the role and potential of Strand Three, which the Agreement clearly saw as providing opportunities to discuss and agree mutual cooperation across these islands, and not merely as a support mechanism for one territory. We welcome the recent rapprochement between the British and Irish governments, but we stress the ready-made opportunity which the Strand Three institutions provide to share insights and understanding, to cooperate on policy issues for mutual benefit and, in essence, to constitute a bedrock of support for each constituent territory against future challenges.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of Strand Three to the Agreement and commits to utilising its full potential, noting that the relevant bodies already meet regularly and the Prime Minister attended in 2022.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
25
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
It is clear from our own commissioned research—and that undertaken by others— that there is widespread public dissatisfaction with the stability and effectiveness of the Strand One institutions. There is also evidence of growing dissatisfaction with The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 79 the emphasis placed …
Read more
It is clear from our own commissioned research—and that undertaken by others— that there is widespread public dissatisfaction with the stability and effectiveness of the Strand One institutions. There is also evidence of growing dissatisfaction with The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 79 the emphasis placed on cross-community safeguards in the institutions, despite a recognition that these measures were a fundamental element of the Agreement. On that account, a measure of caution is still shown toward a drastic departure from those arrangements, with mixed levels of knowledge on the possible options for reform. Nonetheless, there is clear and compelling evidence that much of the public are further ahead of, and more open to change than, much of the political class. As such, we conclude that, given the right support, a formal informed public debate is essential to the substantive development of the Agreement’s institutions, and there is significant majority support for reform of some kind to the Strand One institutions. (Paragraph 147) Routes forward
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the public's dissatisfaction and interest in reform, committing to continuing to listen to community views but emphasizing that discussions on reforms should be led by the people of Northern Ireland and their representatives.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
28
Conclusion
First Report - The effectiveness of the…
Acknowledged
The potential for meaningful, substantive engagement with civic society has already been formally acknowledged by both governments and the Northern Ireland parties as a means of finding a pathway through Northern Ireland’s most intractable issues. Citizens’ assemblies have the potential to empower people to find solutions and reach across deep …
Read more
The potential for meaningful, substantive engagement with civic society has already been formally acknowledged by both governments and the Northern Ireland parties as a means of finding a pathway through Northern Ireland’s most intractable issues. Citizens’ assemblies have the potential to empower people to find solutions and reach across deep divides in a way which politicians—except perhaps in the case of events leading up to Good Friday 1998—rarely can. We regret that past provisions made for formal civic engagement have largely failed to get off the ground, but we are encouraged by the commitment made in New Decade, New Approach toward the idea’s rejuvenation.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of civic engagement and notes the calls for more mechanisms, but states that delivering on existing commitments is for the restored Northern Ireland Executive.
Read full response →
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office