8.3.4 Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive

Background and Rationale for Devolution

The devolution process in Northern Ireland is deeply rooted in the region's complex and often violent history, particularly the sectarian conflict known as "The Troubles." The need for devolution arose from the desire to provide a political solution to the conflict between the mainly Protestant unionist/loyalist community, who wished to remain part of the United Kingdom, and the predominantly Catholic nationalist/republican community, who sought reunification with the Republic of Ireland.

The Troubles (1968–1998)

• Origins: The Troubles began in the late 1960s, sparked by civil rights protests against discrimination against the Catholic minority in areas such as housing, employment, and political representation.
• Violence: The conflict escalated into widespread violence involving paramilitary groups like the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), as well as the British Army and police forces.
• Political Deadlock: The violence created a political deadlock, with the Northern Ireland government suspended in 1972 and direct rule imposed from Westminster.

The Need for Devolution

Devolution was seen as a potential solution to the conflict, allowing for power-sharing between the two communities and reducing the tensions that had fueled the violence. It aimed to give Northern Ireland the autonomy to manage its own affairs while ensuring that both communities had a say in government.

The Good Friday Agreement (1998)

The Good Friday Agreement (GFA), also known as the Belfast Agreement, was a landmark peace deal that established the framework for devolution in Northern Ireland.

• Key Provisions:
  • Power-Sharing Executive: A devolved government based on power-sharing between unionists and nationalists.
  • Northern Ireland Assembly: A new legislative assembly with 108 members (later reduced to 90) elected by proportional representation.
  • Cross-Community Voting: Important decisions require cross-community support, ensuring that both unionists and nationalists have a say.
  • North-South Ministerial Council: A body to promote cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
  • British-Irish Council: A forum to discuss issues of mutual interest between the UK, Ireland, and the devolved administrations.
• Constitutional Status: The agreement affirmed that Northern Ireland would remain part of the UK unless a majority voted otherwise in a future referendum.

Northern Ireland Act 1998

The Northern Ireland Act 1998 gave legal effect to the Good Friday Agreement and established the structures of devolved government in Northern Ireland.

• Key Features:
  • Establishment of the Assembly: The Act established the Northern Ireland Assembly with the power to legislate on devolved matters.
  • Executive Formation: The Act provided for a power-sharing Executive, with ministerial posts allocated based on party strength using the D'Hondt method.
  • Reserved and Excepted Matters: The Act defined the areas of governance that were devolved, reserved (Westminster retained the power to legislate but could devolve it), and excepted (matters solely within Westminster's control, such as defense).

Structure of Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive

Northern Ireland Assembly

• Unicameral Legislature: The Northern Ireland Assembly is a unicameral body with 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) following a reduction from 108 in 2016.
• Elections: MLAs are elected using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, which promotes proportional representation.
• Committees: The Assembly has several committees responsible for scrutinizing legislation, policy, and government actions.
• Powers: The Assembly has legislative authority over devolved matters such as health, education, justice, and infrastructure.

Northern Ireland Executive

• Power-Sharing Executive: The Executive is a power-sharing government comprising ministers from both the unionist and nationalist communities.
• First Minister and Deputy First Minister: The two most senior positions are shared between the largest unionist and nationalist parties. Both positions are equal in power and require cooperation.
• Ministers: Ministerial positions are allocated based on party strength using the D'Hondt method, ensuring proportional representation in the Executive.

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Policies Implemented by the Northern Ireland Executive

• Health: The Executive has implemented health policies focusing on improving healthcare delivery and tackling issues specific to Northern Ireland, such as high levels of mental health problems related to the legacy of the Troubles.
• Education: The Executive oversees the education system, which remains highly segregated along religious lines, and has focused on promoting integrated education.
• Justice and Policing: Since the devolution of policing and justice in 2010, the Executive has worked to create a fair and impartial justice system, crucial for maintaining peace.
• Economic Development: The Executive has prioritized economic development, with a focus on attracting investment and reducing unemployment, especially in historically disadvantaged areas.

Strengths of Devolution in Northern Ireland

1. Conflict Resolution: Devolution has provided a political framework for managing the deep-seated divisions between unionists and nationalists, significantly reducing violence.
2. Power-Sharing: The power-sharing arrangement ensures that both communities have a voice in government, helping to build trust and cooperation.
3. Local Governance: Devolution allows for policies to be tailored to the specific needs of Northern Ireland, addressing issues that may not be priorities for the UK government.
4. Peace and Stability: The Good Friday Agreement and the devolved institutions have played a key role in maintaining peace and stability in Northern Ireland.

Weaknesses of Devolution in Northern Ireland

1. Political Deadlock: The power-sharing system can lead to political deadlock, especially when parties cannot agree on key issues, as seen during the periods when the Assembly has been suspended.
2. Sectarianism: Devolution has not fully overcome sectarian divisions, with political parties and voters often still divided along religious lines.
3. Limited Economic Powers: The Northern Ireland Executive has limited control over economic policy, which can hinder its ability to address deep-rooted economic challenges.
4. Dependency on Westminster: Despite devolution, Northern Ireland remains heavily dependent on financial transfers from Westminster, limiting its financial autonomy.

Successes and Withdrawals from Devolution

Successes

• Peace Process: The greatest success of devolution in Northern Ireland has been its role in sustaining the peace process and reducing sectarian violence.
• Policing and Justice: The devolution of policing and justice in 2010 was a significant milestone, symbolizing trust in the devolved institutions to manage sensitive issues.
• Cross-Community Cooperation: Devolution has fostered cooperation between unionists and nationalists, particularly in areas like health and infrastructure.

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Withdrawals and Challenges

• Suspensions of the Assembly: The Assembly has been suspended multiple times due to political crises, most notably from 2002 to 2007 and from 2017 to 2020, highlighting the fragility of the power-sharing arrangement.
• Brexit Tensions: Brexit has exacerbated tensions in Northern Ireland, particularly regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol, which has been a source of significant political disagreement and has strained relations between the unionist and nationalist communities.

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The Influence of Political Parties in Northern Ireland

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)

• Unionism: The DUP is the largest unionist party and has been a dominant force in the Assembly. It strongly supports Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK and has been a vocal opponent of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
• Brexit Stance: The DUP supported Brexit but has opposed the Protocol, arguing that it creates a trade barrier between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

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Sinn Féin

• Nationalism: Sinn Féin is the largest nationalist party, advocating for Irish reunification. It has been a key player in the peace process and the devolution settlement.
• Brexit Stance: Sinn Féin opposed Brexit and supports the Northern Ireland Protocol as a way to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

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Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)

• Moderate Nationalism: The SDLP is a moderate nationalist party that supports Irish reunification through peaceful means and is committed to the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.
• Pro-European: The SDLP strongly opposed Brexit and has worked to mitigate its impact on Northern Ireland.

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Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)

• Moderate Unionism: The UUP is a moderate unionist party that has traditionally supported the Good Friday Agreement but has struggled to maintain its influence in recent years.
• Brexit Stance: The UUP opposed the Northern Ireland Protocol but has been more open to compromise than the DUP.

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Alliance Party

• Cross-Community: The Alliance Party promotes cross-community cooperation and rejects the traditional unionist-nationalist divide. It has grown in influence as more voters seek alternatives to sectarian politics.
• Pro-European: The Alliance Party strongly opposed Brexit and supports the Northern Ireland Protocol as a necessary compromise.

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The Impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Protocol

• Overview: The Protocol is part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement that keeps Northern Ireland in the UK's customs territory but aligns it with certain EU rules to avoid a hard border with the Republic of Ireland.
• Controversy: The Protocol has been highly controversial, particularly among unionists, who see it as creating a de facto border in the Irish Sea, undermining Northern Ireland's position within the UK.
• Political Fallout: The Protocol has led to significant political tensions, contributing to the instability of the devolved institutions and protests by unionist communities.

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Current Political Beliefs in Northern Ireland

• Unionist Concerns: Unionist communities remain concerned about the impact of the Protocol and Brexit on Northern Ireland's status within the UK.
• Nationalist Optimism: Nationalists, particularly Sinn Féin, have seen Brexit as an opportunity to push for Irish reunification, arguing that Northern Ireland's place in the UK is now more uncertain.
• Growing Centrism: The Alliance Party's rise reflects a growing desire among voters for an alternative to the traditional sectarian politics, with more people identifying as neither unionist nor nationalist.