Select committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Conclusion 7
First Report - The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
Published 4 Dec 2023
Paragraph 48
Addressed to Northern Ireland Executive; Northern Ireland Office
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
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.
From: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, First Report - The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (HC 45), paragraph 48, 4 December 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 22 February 2024 (deadline 4 February 2024).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government says that, given the recent restoration of the Executive, a review of the Agreement or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 "is not being considered at this time", while recognising the report's concerns about stability.
- On supermajority election of the Speaker and "Joint First Ministers", it says this would be "a significant departure" from the Agreement's original cross-community protections and would require "significant consultation and consideration".
- On the proposed review, it agrees that significant reform "would require widespread consent" and prefers that discussion is led by the people of Northern Ireland and their representatives.
- On the North/South Ministerial Council and implementation bodies, it says any review of Strand Two working practices "should be led by ministers in Northern Ireland and Ireland".
- On a Citizens' Assembly, it notes calls for more civic engagement and says it is "for the restored Executive to deliver" on the parties' New Decade New Approach commitment. It is "committed to continuing to listen to community views".