First Report - The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement

The government rejects commissioning a formal, independently led review of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement institutions at this time, stating its focus is on the recent restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and that any discussion of reforms should be led by the people of Northern Ireland and their representatives.

The government rejected the recommendation to legislate for a supermajority election of the Speaker, stating that a review or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time due to the recent restoration of the Executive. It views the proposal as a significant departure from cross-community protections.

The government rejected the recommendation to rename First and Deputy First Ministers as 'Joint First Minister' and legislate for this, stating that a review or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time. It also noted that such a proposal would be a significant departure from cross-community protections.

The government rejected the recommendation to legislate for the election of Joint First Ministers by a supermajority, stating that a review or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time. It views such a proposal as a significant departure from cross-community protections.

The government rejected the recommendation to incorporate an evaluation of Executive formation reform into a review, 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 reforms require widespread cross-community consent.

The government rejects incorporating a full evaluation of community designation into a review of the Agreement, stating that such a review is not being considered at this time and that cross-community protections are vital.

The government rejects incorporating a module on improving the behaviours and working practices of Strand One institutions into a review, as a review of the Agreement is not being considered at this time.

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.

The government rejected the recommendation to incorporate an evaluation of Strand Two institutions (NSMC and implementation bodies) into a review, stating that a review of the Agreement or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time. It added that any future review of Strand Two should be led by ministers in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The government rejects increasing Prime Ministerial attendance at BIIGC and BIC meetings and incorporating an assessment of Strand Three into a review, stating that a review of the Agreement is not being considered at this time.

The government rejects making preparations for a comprehensive review of the Agreement as soon as possible, stating that a review or amendment is not being considered at this time following the restoration of the devolved institutions.

The government rejected the recommendation for expert consultation as part of a review, stating that a review of the Agreement or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time due to the recent restoration of the Executive. It acknowledged the challenges to institutional stability but committed to no immediate action.

The government rejects beginning preparations for a Northern Ireland Citizens’ Assembly, stating that a review of the Agreement is not being considered at this time and that delivering on civic engagement commitments is for the restored Executive.

The government explicitly rejects a review of the Agreement or amendment of the 1998 Act 'for now,' stating that its focus is on restoring devolved institutions and that any significant reform requires widespread consent, led by the people of Northern Ireland.

The government rejected the implicit call for intervention to reform the Speaker election process, stating that a review of the Agreement or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time due to the recent restoration of the Executive. It explained that such proposals would significantly depart from cross-community protections.

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.

The government rejected the implied need to address the undermining of core principles or the instability created by the current nomination procedure, stating that a review of the Agreement or amendment of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is not being considered at this time. It highlighted the need for cross-community support for any significant reforms.