Cross-border bodies and the North-South relationship : laying the groundwork ; implementing strand two

CROSS-BORDER BODIES AND THE NORTH-SOUTH RELATIONSHIP : LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
The new North-South institutions established under the Good Friday agreement need to be seen in both historical and contemporary political contexts. Their roots are as old as partition: efforts to overcome some of the more negative consequences of the division of Ireland date back to 1918, when the idea of a Council of Ireland was first raised, and found more concrete form in 1920 and 1973. The inclusion of an important set of North-South bodies in the Good Friday agreement arose from a need to respond to certain practical considerations, but was also intended to provide a balance to the devolved institutions within Northern Ireland and the strong British link. Notwithstanding difficulties in several other sensitive areas, the North-South bodies have managed to function in a positive atmosphere of cooperation between ministers from very different political backgrounds, and it is possible to be relatively optimistic about their future development.

CROSS-BORDER BODIES AND THE NORTH-SOUTH RELATIONSHIP : IMPLEMENTING STRAND TWO
The development of the new North-South institutions has been one of the more surprising success stories of the Good Friday agreement. At their apex is the North/South Ministerial Council, which in principle meets in three formats, but in practice has so far met in two: plenary and sectoral. The council oversees the work of six implementation bodies, which are responsible for policy implementation throughout Ireland in specific sectors, each of which has its own staff and budget. It also supervises cooperation in other areas designated by the Good Friday agreement. The council has a small but very active staff in Armagh, and owes much of its success to the willingness of politicians to agree on measures of cooperation that are of practical benefit, even in the face of significant political difficulties.