How Newspapers Differ:

Devolution in Northern Ireland How far down the path to devolution is Northern Ireland?

Partition  1921, Irish Treaty divided Ireland into North & South  1949 Irish Republic established Northern Ireland self-governing Northern Ireland self-governing 1972,DIRECT RULE, Secretary of State for N. Ireland – ‘The Troubles’ 1972,DIRECT RULE, Secretary of State for N. Ireland – ‘The Troubles’

DIRECT RULE From 1972 Northern Ireland was ruled DIRECTLY from Westminster From 1972 Northern Ireland was ruled DIRECTLY from Westminster A Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was appointed by the British Government – They were responsible for Economy, Education, Health etc A Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was appointed by the British Government – They were responsible for Economy, Education, Health etc The people of Northern Ireland therefore had little say in their own affairs- DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT The people of Northern Ireland therefore had little say in their own affairs- DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT

, Anglo-Irish Agreement gave Irish Republic a Right to have a say in policy-making in N. Ireland 1985, Anglo-Irish Agreement gave Irish Republic a Right to have a say in policy-making in N. Ireland 1993 Downing Street Declaration set up arms decommissioning commission under Senator George Mitchell 1993 Downing Street Declaration set up arms decommissioning commission under Senator George Mitchell

IRA CEASEFIRE 1994 IRA calls a ceasefire 1994 IRA calls a ceasefire

1998 Good Friday Agreement After years of negotiations and discussions a deal was reached!

What were the terms of the Good Friday Agreement? Election of Northern Ireland Assembly Election of Northern Ireland Assembly Prisoner release programme Prisoner release programme Arms decommissioning Arms decommissioning North-South Ministerial council (allowing ministers from Dublin & Belfast to co-operate on and co ordinate policy) North-South Ministerial council (allowing ministers from Dublin & Belfast to co-operate on and co ordinate policy) RUC reform RUC reform RUC Referendum on the terms Referendum on the terms

What was the outcome of the referendum? Referendum (1998) 71% Yes vote for Good Friday Agreement 71% Yes vote for Good Friday Agreement 81% turnout 81% turnout Slim majority of unionists & large majority of nationalists backed referendum Slim majority of unionists & large majority of nationalists backed referendum

How is the N.I. assembly organised? Elected N.I. Assembly, 108 members with legislative powers elected by STV Elected N.I. Assembly, 108 members with legislative powers elected by STVSTV

How is the N.I. assembly organised? Governing executive committee (12 ministers headed by First Minister) Governing executive committee (12 ministers headed by First Minister) Ministerial posts allocated on PR basis according to party strength in assembly Ministerial posts allocated on PR basis according to party strength in assembly David Trimble (UUP) became first minister, Seamus Mallon deputy (SDLP), Sinn Fein won 2 executive ministry posts David Trimble (UUP) became first minister, Seamus Mallon deputy (SDLP), Sinn Fein won 2 executive ministry posts

Elections to Northern Ireland Assembly (1998) Parties Seats won 1 st Preference vote (%) Ulster Unionist Party Progressive Unionist Party 22.6 Democratic Unionist Party UK Unionist Party 54.5 Independent Unionists 32.9 Social Democratic & Labour Party Sinn Fein Alliance Party 66.5 Women’s coalition 21.6

 Your task How far has the Peace Process progressed in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement? How far has the Peace Process progressed in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement? What have been the major stumbling blocks for all sides? What have been the major stumbling blocks for all sides?

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

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

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

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

STV “Single Transferable Vote system uses multi-member constituencies, with the electorate indicating preferences (i.e. first choice, second choice etc.). A candidate must achieve a quota, in order to be elected. Any votes in excess of this quota are redistributed on the basis of preference votes.” Garnet & Lynch, UK Govt. & Politics, p.66

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POLICING & JUSTICE Royal Ulster Constabulary, the police force of Northern Ireland with a predominantly Protestant membership was reformed and re-constituted through the Patten Report. It became the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland). Royal Ulster Constabulary, the police force of Northern Ireland with a predominantly Protestant membership was reformed and re-constituted through the Patten Report. It became the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland). Policing now has the support of all the main political parties, including Sinn Fein, who sit on the new Policing Board. Policing now has the support of all the main political parties, including Sinn Fein, who sit on the new Policing Board. Policing and Justice as a government department, is due to be devolved to the NI Assembly in the near future. Policing and Justice as a government department, is due to be devolved to the NI Assembly in the near future.