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The Irish government and the implementation of the Agreement : a political perspective ; an observer's perspective
Alternative Title
The Irish government and the implementation of the Agreement : a political perspective
The Irish government and the implementation of the Agreement : an observer's perspective
Author(s)
Date Issued
2005
Date Available
21T14:01:16Z July 2010
Abstract
A political perspective:
The Good Friday Agreement continues to play a central role in providing a level playing pitch for the future governance of Northern Ireland. The Agreement itself was unique in being endorsed by the people of the whole island. Following the Northern Bank raid in December 2004, though, the Irish government has taken the view that the continuing existence of IRA paramilitarism constitutes the greatest obstacle to full implementation of the agreement. The debate within the Provisional movement on this subject is to be welcomed, but paramilitarism must be ended definitively. One remarkable sign of progress has been the increasing acceptance of the Police Service of Northern Ireland by nationalists, marked at an early stage by a courageous decision by the SDLP to serve on the Policing Board, a lead that should be followed by Sinn Féin as soon as possible. It will then be appropriate for the DUP, which now holds the political leadership of unionism, to reciprocate by embracing partnership politics and the reinstallation of devolution. Only the definitive end of paramilitarism and stable and inclusive politics in Northern Ireland will provide a conclusive outcome.
An observer's perspective:
The May general election showed a shift in Northern Ireland in the direction of a movement that remains wedded to paramilitarism and criminality (Sinn Féin) and one which is still deeply sectarian and bigoted (the DUP). Much of the enhanced status of Sinn Féin arises from the fact that the Irish and British governments have, until recently, been prepared to overlook the criminal activities of the IRA, in the interest of keeping that movement involved in the political process. Following the Northern Bank robbery and the murder of Robert McCartney, though, the Irish government adopted a tougher attitude, paying much greater attention to the criminal activities on which the IRA has been engaged and insisting that they must cease. Because of recent events, though, the prospects for the restoration of devolved government are slim, and further development of the North-South axis may provide the most promising way forward.
Sponsorship
Not applicable
Type of Material
Working Paper
Publisher
University College Dublin. Institute for British-Irish Studies
Series
IBIS Working Papers
46
Implementing the agreement: towards completion Lecture Series
Copyright (Published Version)
The authors, 2005
Subject – LCSH
Great Britain. Treaties, etc. Ireland, 1998 Apr. 10
Northern Ireland--Politics and government--1994-
Language
English
Status of Item
Peer reviewed
Conference Details
Revised text of two lectures presented as part of the seminar series “Implementing the agreement: towards completion”, organised jointly by the Co-operation Ireland and the Institute for British-Irish Studies. The lectures were presented in UCD on 10 May 2005.
ISSN
1649-0304
This item is made available under a Creative Commons License
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