Select committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 20
First Report - The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
Published 4 Dec 2023
Paragraph 103
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 ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
We are aware of work already underway to strengthen the behaviours and working practices within the Strand One institutions. We concur with the argument that institutions can only be made effective by those who inhabit them and in this regard we endorse efforts to improve behaviours and best practice among MLAs in both the Assembly and Executive, as well as practical suggestions to improve the smooth and effective functioning of government in Northern Ireland. We recognise that improvements can only come with sustained attention over time, and so we recommend that the Government incorporates into the Review a module on how the behaviours and working practices of the Strand One institutions could be improved, with a view to developing a programme dedicated to upholding the Agreement’s core principles of good faith, trust and mutual respect and delivering good government in the best interests of all in Northern Ireland.
From: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, First Report - The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (HC 45), paragraph 103, 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".