Decentralization/Federalism: Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement
Implementations
Decentralization/Federalism – 1998
The Good Friday Agreement provided for a 108-member elected assembly in Northern Ireland. The assembly would be capable of exercising executive and legislative authority, and subject to safeguards to protect the rights and interests of all sides of the community. According to the accord, the assembly was to be elected by using the Proportional Representative Single Transferable Vote system. In spirit of safeguarding the interest and rights of all sides, the agreement also called for the proportional distribution of committee members in the assembly.
According to the Good Friday Agreement, a First Minister, Deputy First Minister, and up to ten Ministers with departmental responsibilities would discharge the executive authority of the assembly. The selection was based on the dÕHondt system, giving more weight to the largest party in the assembly.
Along with giving legislative and executive authority to the assembly, the Good Friday Agreement also gave power to the Secretary of State to represent Northern Ireland’s interests in the United Kingdom Cabinet and make sure that the United Kingdom’s international obligations are met with respect to Northern Ireland.
So far as the implementation of the decentralization provision in the Good Friday Agreement is concerned, the Northern Ireland Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 15 July 1998, dealt with all aspects of the devolution of power to the assembly in Northern Ireland. The bill had the third reading in the House of Lords on 17 November and got the royal assent on 19 November 1998.1
It is also important to note, considering the transitional arrangements in the agreement, that elections for the assembly took place in July 1998, well before the enactment of the Northern Ireland Bill.
Decentralization/Federalism – 1999
As agreed upon in the Good Friday Agreement, the assembly was elected in 1998. However, it was not until 29 November 1999 that Northern Ireland’s Executive was appointed, based on the strength of the parties in the assembly. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) had three ministers, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) had three ministers, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) had two ministers, and Sinn Fein had two ministers.1 The committee members were also appointed on 29 November 1999 based on the power-sharing provision of the Good Friday Agreement.2
Thus, the decentralization provision of the accord was implemented in 1998.
- Nicholas Whyte, “Who’s on the Executive?” ARK, January 12, 2005, accessed January 21, 2013, http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/gwhoexec.htm.
- Nicholas Whyte, “Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1998,” ARK, January 12, 2005, January 21, 2013, http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/fa98.htm.
Decentralization/Federalism – 2000
While the United Kingdom’s commitment to Northern Ireland’s devolution status remained in place, for issues related to weapon decommissioning, the assembly and executive of Northern Ireland were suspended on 11 February 2000 and restored on 22 May 2000.
Decentralization/Federalism – 2001
The assembly and executive of Northern Ireland were suspended again for 24 hours on 11 August 2001 and 22 September 2001, as recommended by the Secretary of State.1
Decentralization/Federalism – 2002
The assembly and the executive were suspended again on 15 October 2002.
Decentralization/Federalism – 2003
The assembly and the executive were suspended.
Decentralization/Federalism – 2004
The assembly and the executive were suspended.
Decentralization/Federalism – 2005
The assembly and the executive were suspended.
Decentralization/Federalism – 2006
On 24 November 2006, a transitional assembly was installed.
Decentralization/Federalism – 2007
On 7 March 2007, Northern Ireland elected a new assembly.1
- “Timeline: Northern Ireland Assembly,” BBC News, March 9, 2009, accessed January 21, 2013, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7932068.stm.