Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Rejected
Renew Government's commitment to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement by commissioning an independent review.
Recommendation
The Northern Ireland parties have a fundamental role in shaping the future of the institutions to which they are elected by the people of Northern Ireland. As co- guarantors of the Agreement, however, the British and Irish Governments have an immutable obligation to nurture and support what is still a young and developing system of government, mired by structural complexities and operating in the context of sectarian division. Over the past 25 years, this is not an obligation that has always been met. Therefore, in light of the current impasse and the body of evidence presented in this report, we urge the Government to renew its commitment to the Belfast/Good 78 The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland by commissioning the independently led Review of its institutions, as set out in our earlier recommendation, and to act swiftly upon further recommendations made in this report. (Paragraph 106) Strand Two - North/South institutions
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to commission an independently led review of the Agreement's institutions, stating that a review or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time. It acknowledged the challenges to institutional stability but emphasized the need for reforms to have widespread cross-community consent and be locally led.
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.