First Report - The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement
Select Committee
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
HC 45
4 December 2023
Government response
First Special Report - The effectiveness of the institutions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report · published 22 Feb 2024
Recommendations & Conclusions
11 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 7
Groundwork for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement established through extensive pre-1998 dialogue.
Conclusion
In the years leading up to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, considerable groundwork had been laid through patient negotiation, compromise, and determination to end the Troubles, a period of conflict which had claimed the lives of more of more than 3,500 …
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Government Response Summary
The government recognised the importance and achievements of the Agreement, affirming its role as a living document, and stated its commitment to ensuring any future discussions on reforms are led by the people of Northern Ireland with cross-community consent.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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3
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 21
Belfast/Good Friday Agreement forms the legitimate basis of devolved government in Northern Ireland.
Conclusion
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is the basis of devolved government in Northern Ireland. Several key provisions are codified in both domestic and international law and it has overwhelming democratic legitimacy—from which is derived a near- universal understanding that Northern Ireland …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the inquiry and reaffirms its unshakable commitment to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, sharing the Committee's view that it provides the only legitimate basis for governance in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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4
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Reform of Belfast/Good Friday Agreement institutions requires substantive calls from Northern Ireland's people.
Conclusion
As we will set out, this inquiry has found that there is scope for reform of the Agreement’s institutions—as is reflected in the findings that follow. It has also found that there is notable public interest in options for reform. …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the challenges to stability and public interest in reform, agreeing that any substantive discussion on reforms must be led by the people of Northern Ireland and their representatives.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Reform of Strand One institutions remains possible but often piecemeal and inconsistently implemented.
Conclusion
In the 25 years since their inception, numerous attempts have been made at strengthening the viability and stability of the Strand One institutions in complex and challenging political circumstances. The successor agreements—and subsequent legislative alterations to the institutions—serve to illustrate …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the challenges and the committee's observations, reiterating its long-standing approach of working with local parties on the basis of cross-community consent for changes and noting that any future reform discussions must be carefully considered with community support.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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7
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Cross-community safeguards inadequately accommodate Northern Ireland's growing non-designated population.
Conclusion
Cross-community safeguards were a fundamental aspect of the Strand One institutions’ design. They recognised and accommodated the politics of a deeply divided, post-conflict society and were undoubtedly fundamental to securing agreement between Unionist and Nationalist parties in 1998. With an …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the challenges of balancing cross-community governance and institutional stability, stating that any significant change to cross-community protections would require the support of the whole community.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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8
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 51
Strand One institutions highly unstable due to single party veto over Executive formation.
Conclusion
There is broad consensus that the Strand One institutions are unstable and prone to collapse. The current system of nomination to the positions of First Minister and Deputy First Minister gives, in effect, a single party a veto over Executive …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the instability challenges and notes that discussions on the First Minister and Deputy First Minister nomination process are ongoing, but any significant departure from cross-community protections, like a supermajority nomination, would require extensive consultation and consideration.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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9
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 55
Strand One institutions achieve effective legislative output and key industry development during stable periods.
Conclusion
In spite of their instability—owed in part to stringent cross-community safeguards— the institutions have shown that they can be effective in terms of legislative output. During periods of relative stability, by that metric the Assembly arguably outperforms its counterparts in …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the report and shares the sentiment, acknowledging the significance and transformative impact of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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11
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Northern Ireland's institutional design and political realities hinder government effectiveness.
Conclusion
While the design of the institutions—primarily through the use of vetoes and a system of mandatory coalition—stymies the effectiveness of government in Northern Ireland, we also recognise that the success of the institutions in turn depends on the political will …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the challenges concerning the stability of the Northern Ireland institutions and the need for reforms to command widespread community support. It states that a review of the Agreement is not being considered at this time, but recognises the report's articulation of governance challenges.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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23
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 133
Strand Three institutions offer significant untapped potential for cross-island cooperation and mutual benefit.
Conclusion
As with Strand Two, we recognise the importance of Strand Three to the overall character and successful functioning of the Agreement. Ostensibly—and evidenced by the way in which they have largely been used—the institutions under Strand Three serve to provide …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of Strand Three to the Agreement and commits to utilising its full potential, noting that the relevant bodies already meet regularly and the Prime Minister attended in 2022.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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25
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Public dissatisfaction with Strand One institutions necessitates formal debate and significant reform.
Conclusion
It is clear from our own commissioned research—and that undertaken by others— that there is widespread public dissatisfaction with the stability and effectiveness of the Strand One institutions. There is also evidence of growing dissatisfaction with The effectiveness of the …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the public's dissatisfaction and interest in reform, committing to continuing to listen to community views but emphasizing that discussions on reforms should be led by the people of Northern Ireland and their representatives.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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28
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 161
Citizens’ assemblies offer significant potential for meaningful civic engagement and issue resolution.
Conclusion
The potential for meaningful, substantive engagement with civic society has already been formally acknowledged by both governments and the Northern Ireland parties as a means of finding a pathway through Northern Ireland’s most intractable issues. Citizens’ assemblies have the potential …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of civic engagement and notes the calls for more mechanisms, but states that delivering on existing commitments is for the restored Northern Ireland Executive.
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
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