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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. The government welcomes the report and shares the sentiment, acknowledging the significance and transformative impact of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
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 …
Government response. 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 …
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. …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
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 …
Government response. 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.
Northern Ireland Office