How Newspapers Differ:How Newspapers Differ:

Devolution in Devolution in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

How far down the path to How far down the path to devolution is Northern devolution is Northern

Ireland?Ireland?

PartitionPartition 1921, Irish Treaty divided Ireland into North & South1921, Irish Treaty divided Ireland into North & South

1949 Irish Republic established1949 Irish Republic established 1922-72 Northern Ireland self-governing1922-72 Northern Ireland self-governing 1972,1972,DIRECTDIRECT RULERULE, Secretary of State for N. Ireland , Secretary of State for N. Ireland

– ‘The Troubles’– ‘The Troubles’

DIRECT RULEDIRECT RULE

From 1972 Northern Ireland was From 1972 Northern Ireland was ruled ruled DIRECTLYDIRECTLY from Westminster from Westminster

A A Secretary of State for Northern Secretary of State for Northern IrelandIreland was appointed by the was appointed by the British Government – They were British Government – They were responsible for Economy, Education, responsible for Economy, Education, Health etcHealth etc

The people of Northern Ireland The people of Northern Ireland therefore had little say in their own therefore had little say in their own affairs- affairs- DEMOCRATIC DEFICITDEMOCRATIC DEFICIT

1985 - 19981985 - 1998 1985, Anglo-Irish Agreement gave 1985, Anglo-Irish Agreement gave

Irish Republic a Right to have a say in Irish Republic a Right to have a say in policy-making in N. Irelandpolicy-making in N. Ireland

1993 Downing Street Declaration set 1993 Downing Street Declaration set up arms decommissioning up arms decommissioning commission under Senator George commission under Senator George MitchellMitchell

IRA CEASEFIREIRA CEASEFIRE

1994 IRA calls a ceasefire 1994 IRA calls a ceasefire

1998 Good Friday 1998 Good Friday AgreementAgreement

After years of negotiations and discussions a deal was reached!

What were the terms of the What were the terms of the Good Friday Agreement?Good Friday Agreement?

Election of Northern Ireland AssemblyElection of Northern Ireland Assembly Prisoner release programmePrisoner release programme Arms decommissioningArms decommissioning North-South Ministerial council North-South Ministerial council

(allowing ministers from Dublin & (allowing ministers from Dublin & Belfast to co-operate on and co ordinate Belfast to co-operate on and co ordinate policy)policy)

RUCRUC reform reform Referendum on the termsReferendum on the terms

What was the outcome of What was the outcome of the referendum?the referendum?Referendum (1998)Referendum (1998)

71%71% Yes vote for Good Friday Yes vote for Good Friday AgreementAgreement

81%81% turnoutturnout Slim majority of unionists & large Slim majority of unionists & large

majority of nationalists backed majority of nationalists backed referendumreferendum

How is the N.I. assembly How is the N.I. assembly organised?organised?

Elected N.I. Assembly, 108 members Elected N.I. Assembly, 108 members with legislative powers elected by with legislative powers elected by STVSTV

How is the N.I. How is the N.I. assembly organised?assembly organised?

Governing executive committee (12 Governing executive committee (12 ministers headed by First Minister)ministers headed by First Minister)

Ministerial posts allocated on PR basis Ministerial posts allocated on PR basis according to party strength in assemblyaccording to party strength in assembly

David Trimble (UUP) became first David Trimble (UUP) became first minister, Seamus Mallon deputy minister, Seamus Mallon deputy (SDLP), Sinn Fein won 2 executive (SDLP), Sinn Fein won 2 executive ministry postsministry posts

Elections to Northern Ireland Elections to Northern Ireland Assembly (1998)Assembly (1998)

PartiesParties Seats wonSeats won 11stst Preference Preference

vote (%)vote (%)Ulster Unionist PartyUlster Unionist Party 2828 21.321.3Progressive Unionist Progressive Unionist PartyParty 22 2.62.6Democratic Unionist Democratic Unionist PartyParty 2020 18.118.1UK Unionist PartyUK Unionist Party 55 4.54.5Independent UnionistsIndependent Unionists 33 2.92.9Social Democratic & Social Democratic & Labour PartyLabour Party 2424 22.022.0Sinn FeinSinn Fein 1818 17.617.6Alliance PartyAlliance Party 66 6.56.5Women’s coalitionWomen’s coalition 22 1.61.6

Your taskYour task

How far has the Peace Process How far has the Peace Process progressed in Northern progressed in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement? Agreement?

What have been the major What have been the major stumbling blocks for all sides?stumbling blocks for all sides?

UnionistsUnionists

Protestant supporters of continued Protestant supporters of continued union with Great Britainunion with Great Britain

IRAIRA

Irish Republican Army, Catholic Irish Republican Army, Catholic loyalists who formed the loyalists who formed the paramilitary wing of the Irish paramilitary wing of the Irish Republican Party, Sinn FeinRepublican Party, Sinn Fein

IRAIRA

Irish Republican Army, Catholic Irish Republican Army, Catholic supporters who formerly styled supporters who formerly styled themselves as the paramilitary wing themselves as the paramilitary wing of the Irish Republic Party, Sinn Feinof the Irish Republic Party, Sinn Fein

NationalistsNationalists

Supporters of a united Ireland or a Supporters of a united Ireland or a greater role for the Republic of greater role for the Republic of Ireland in North Ireland’s affairsIreland in North Ireland’s affairs

STVSTV

““Single Transferable Vote system uses multi-Single Transferable Vote system uses multi-member constituencies, with the electorate member constituencies, with the electorate indicating preferences (i.e. first choice, indicating preferences (i.e. first choice, second choice etc.). A candidate must second choice etc.). A candidate must achieve a quota, in order to be elected. Any achieve a quota, in order to be elected. Any votes in excess of this quota are redistributed votes in excess of this quota are redistributed on the basis of preference votes.”on the basis of preference votes.”

Garnet & Lynch, UK Govt. & Politics, p.66Garnet & Lynch, UK Govt. & Politics, p.66

Powers reserved to Powers reserved to WestminsterWestminster

POLICING & JUSTICEPOLICING & JUSTICE Royal Ulster ConstabularyRoyal Ulster Constabulary, the police , the police

force of Northern Ireland with a force of Northern Ireland with a predominantly Protestant membership was predominantly Protestant membership was reformed and re-constituted through the reformed and re-constituted through the Patten Report. It became the Patten Report. It became the PSNI (Police PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland).Service of Northern Ireland).

Policing now has the support of all the main Policing now has the support of all the main political parties, including Sinn Fein, who political parties, including Sinn Fein, who sit on the new Policing Board. sit on the new Policing Board.

Policing and Justice as a government Policing and Justice as a government department, is due to be devolved to the NI department, is due to be devolved to the NI Assembly in the near future. Assembly in the near future.