Devolution in Northern Ireland

History 1601: England completed the conquest of Ireland Plantations were established to anglicise the territory the Crown confiscated land and handed it to Scottish and English settlers English presence began in 1171, but it was only in 1601 that England completed the conquest of Ireland – BUT STILL AIN IRISH PARLIAMENT IN PLACE which governed Ireland Plantations were established to anglicise the territory which attracted the Crown confiscated land and handed it to Scottish and English settlers (mostly Protestant) This was particularly successful in Ulster (North East) – meant that this area had a different religion and cultural identity, much closer to Britain than Ireland

Union 1800: the Act of Union created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The Irish Parliament was abolished 1870’s > Campaign for Home Rule supported by the Catholic majority feared by the Protestant minority 1916: The Easter Uprising violently quashed 1919-21: The War of Independence 1800: the Act of Union created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The Irish Parliament was abolished, Ireland was governed from Westminster 1870’s > Campaign for Home Rule (reestablishment of Irish Parliament), supported by the Catholic majority but feared by the Protestant minority 1916: The Easter Uprising > a rebellion against British rule, violently quashed > leaders executed, increased the pressure for Home Rule 1919-21: The War of Independence

The creation of Northern Ireland 1921: The Irish Free State created Gaelic, Catholic, rural Governed by the Irish parliament in Dublin 1949: Ireland officially became an independent republic 1921: The Irish Free State created Gaelic, Catholic, rural Governed by the Irish parliament in Dublin In 1949 officially became a Republic However, Northern Ireland was partitioned from the rest: the 6 North Eastern Counties Protestant and Unionist (wanted to retain links w GB) “A Protestant State for Protestant People” Governed by Unionists in Stormont Catholics suffered discrimination – especially in relation to housing and employment From the start, some Catholics in the north and south did not accept this division “However, Northern Ireland was partitioned from the rest: A Protestant State for Protestant People” Governed by Unionists in Stormont Catholics suffered discrimination

Civil rights, sectarian violence 1960s: Catholic youths in Ulster marched for civil rights and an end to discrimination but Unionists opposed change Sectarian divisions increased and paramilitary groups became increasingly active 1960s: Catholic youths marched for civil rights and an end to discrimination but Unionists opposed change Sectarian divisions increased and paramilitary groups became increasingly active Provional IRA - nationalist UDA – loyalist/unionist

The start of The Troubles In 1969, British troops were deployed in Northern Ireland Exacerbated tensions During a civil rights march in 1972, 14 civilians were shot dead by British soldiers In 1969, British troops were deployed in Northern Ireland Supposed to calm the situation but exascerbated tensions During a civil rights march in 1972, 14 civilians were shot dead by British soldiers > Known as??? Bloody Sunday In response to growing unrest, direct rule was introduced > N Ireland was no longer governed from Stormont but from Westminster In response to growing unrest, direct rule was introduced (1972)

The Troubles 1970’s to 1997: violent conflict waged by Unionist and Republican paramilitary groups 1970’s to 1997: violent conflict waged by Unionist and Loyalist paramilitary groups > groups had different religions, in no way a religious conflict Unionist – defending union with UK Loyalists/Republicans – wanted a united ireland 1970’s to 1997: violent conflict waged by Unionist and Loyalist paramilitary groups 3,500 deaths, around half were civilians 2% of the population in Northern Ireland were injured or killed Paramlilitaries used violence and fear to control their own communities > punishment beatings The Northern Irish economy collapsed, widespread poverty and unemployment Bombings and shootings also took place on the British mainland

The Troubles (1969 – 1997) 3,500 deaths, around half were civilians 2% of the population of Northern Ireland were injured or killed Paramilitaries used violence and fear to control their own communities > punishment beatings The Northern Irish economy collapsed, there was widespread poverty and unemployment Bombings and shootings also took place on the British mainland 3,500 deaths, around half were civilians 2% of the population of Northern Ireland were injured or killed Life was very hard – in addition to violence from the other side, Paramilitaries used violence and fear to control their own communities > punishment beatings were handed down to drug dealers and petty criminals, or those whose behaviour the paramilitaries disapproved of. Those suspected of working with the enemy would be shot. The Northern Irish economy collapsed, there was widespread poverty and unemployment Bombings and shootings also took place on the British mainland

barricades

The Good Friday Agreement By the mid-nineties, the people of Northen Ireland were tired of violence The peace process led to the Good Friday Agreement (1998) Provided for a power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive at Stormont with many devolved powers Unionists and Republicans always share power The door to a united Ireland was left open By the mid-nineties, the people of Northen Ireland were tired of violence The peace process led to the Good Friday Agreement (1998) = the Belfats agreement Provided for a power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive at Stormont with many devolved powers (list in brochure) Unionists and Republicans always share power The door to a united Ireland was left open > will be possible if at some point in the future a majority of voters in N ireland and in Republic of Ireland want it

Since 1998 All border checkpoints between North and South have been removed There has been economic growth (partly due to EU funding)… …and relative peace between communities Tensions remain but the situation is significantly better than during the Troubles All border checkpoints between North and South have been removed There has been economic growth (partly due to EU funding)… …and relative peace between communities Tensions remain but the situation is significantly better than during the Troubles

During the Troubles, Vehicles leaving Newry, County Down towards the border would pass through a permanent checkpoint During the Troubles, shoppers in Belfast had to pass through security gates to enter Royal Avenue, one of the city's main shopping streets. Bags would often be searched for explosives by police. The gates would be closed every evening at 6pm.

Brexit – trouble ahead? Northern Ireland voted against Brexit (56%) Brexit raises issues in relation to: citizenship national identity the economy the border Northern Ireland voted against Brexit (56%) – split Unionists/Republicans Brexit raises issues in relation to: citizenship national identity the economy the borderMany unions voted in favour, most loyalists/Catholics voted against