Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Acknowledged
Reform of Belfast/Good Friday Agreement institutions requires substantive calls from Northern Ireland's people.
Conclusion
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
Government Response 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.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
While the Government’s focus has been firmly on the immediate restoration of the devolved institutions, we do recognise the challenges the report identifies concerning the stability of the institutions. Any discussion of reforms, including on the subject of timing, should be carefully considered in this context, and should command the support of the whole community in Northern Ireland. The Agreement has been vital in enabling progress and peace, but it is also important that it continues to be a living document that always serves the interests of the people of Northern Ireland. The Government also agrees with the Committee that any significant reform to the Agreement would require widespread consent. Securing local consensus in Northern Ireland depends on achieving that balance of cross-community consent, and therefore the Government’s preference is that this discussion is led by the people of Northern Ireland and their representatives. Voices from the UK or Irish Governments should not be at the forefront of any calls for reform. Matters relating to the Strand One institutions are, and will remain, a matter for the UK Government along with the NI parties. The Committee recommends that the review includes consideration of “the institutions’ ability to provide effective and stable government in Northern Ireland, with broad cross- community inclusion”. The cross- community protections are a vital part of this. Whilst the Committee identifies that reform to these cross-community protections may enable greater stability, it is important that any movement away from the current system of cross-community consent commands the support of the whole community. The Committee recommends the establishment of a Citizen’s Assembly in Northern Ireland to ensure the voices of the people of Northern Ireland are heard. The Government recognises the deep sense of ownership of the Agreement felt by many people in Northern Ireland, and the strong interest amongst citizens in being involved in discussions around the future of the Agreement and the institutions it established. The Government is committed to continuing to listen to community views on this topic. We have noted the calls for more mechanisms for civic or citizen engagement, and the commitments made by the parties in the New Decade New Approach deal. It is for the restored Executive to deliver on the parties’ commitment. Given the recent restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive, a review of the Agreement, or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time. However, the report articulates challenges to the stability of governance, which the Government recognises.