Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Rejected
Paragraph: 83
Renaming First and Deputy First Ministers to "Joint First Ministers" reflects equal powers.
Conclusion
Despite what political realities may have dictated in 1998, there is no justifiable reason why the titles of First Minister and Deputy First Minister should not be formally known as ‘Joint First Ministers.’ There is little dispute over the equal powers of the offices and there is consensus that the separate titles can infer a senior and a junior, with potentially distortionary electoral consequences. There is also agreement that the when the Executive Office functions well, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister are seen to be acting jointly in the best interests of Northern Ireland. The misleading titles ascribed to these roles run the risk of positive power- sharing outcomes being diluted. Furthermore, an accurate representation of the jointness of the offices would, 25 years on, reinforce the Agreement’s principle of parity of esteem between the two main communities and send a signal that the Executive Office acts in the interests of them both. This could begin to restore faith in the institutions at a time of crisis.
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the underlying premise for changing the titles of First and Deputy First Minister, stating that a review of the Agreement or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time. It emphasized that any significant reform requires widespread cross-community consent and should be led by the people of Northern Ireland.
Paragraph Reference:
83
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Rejected for now. 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. 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 and command the support of the whole community in Northern Ireland. The Agreement has been vital, and it should continue to be a living document. Any significant reform requires widespread consent, led by the people of Northern Ireland and their representatives. Voices from the UK or Irish Governments should not be at the forefront of calls for reform. Matters relating to Strand One institutions remain a matter for the UK Government along with the NI parties. The Committee’s recommendation for the review to include the institutions’ ability to provide effective and stable government with broad cross-community inclusion is noted; cross-community protections are vital, and any movement away from the current system requires whole community support. Regarding Strand Three (PM attendance at BIIGC/BIC), these bodies already meet regularly, and the Prime Minister attended in 2022; the Government is committed to utilising Strand Three to its full potential. For Strand Two (NSMC/implementation bodies), we are committed to upholding all strands, but any review of Strand Two should be led by ministers in Northern Ireland and Ireland. The Government recognises the interest in a Citizen’s Assembly and civic engagement, and has listened to community views. It notes that the Northern Ireland Assembly and local councils are democratically chosen representative bodies. The Government welcomes the Committee’s recognition of the success of the 38th summit of the British-Irish Council in November 2022.