Select committee: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 22
First Report - The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
Published 4 Dec 2023
Paragraph 119
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 note with concern the weight of evidence which suggests that the potential for the Strand Two institutions to deliver meaningful cooperation on the island of Ireland for the benefit of all its citizens, North and South, has not been realised. However, we also commend efforts which have seen pragmatic cooperation outside of the formal structures of the institutions, with the benefits that have resulted. Nonetheless, we conclude that cooperation is best achieved through regular, formal, substantive participation in structures dedicated purely to the purpose of cooperation for mutual benefit, and we call for a renewed commitment on the part of the parties of Northern Ireland to realising the possibilities Strand Two created. To this end, we recommend that the Government incorporates into the Review a comprehensive evaluation of the structure and working practices of the NSMC and the implementation bodies, including the necessity or otherwise of the ministerial veto on attendance, such that maximum participation from the two administrations can be achieved and meaningful results delivered.
From: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, First Report - The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (HC 45), paragraph 119, 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".