Blair's Government - Troubles in Northern Ireland Flashcards
Terms of the Good Friday Agreement, 1998
Acknowledged N.I. as part of the UK
People in N.I. could identify as Irish, British or both
Paramilitary groups had to get rid of their weapons
N.I. Assembly with a new power-sharing executive gov was created
As an act of goodwill, all terrorists prisoners would be released within 2 years
Removal of military checks
How was the Agreement achieved?
1996 Cross Port peace talks –> which brought all 8 political parties together where there was a compromise on both sides to accept the agreement
So it went ahead:
1) 71% of N.I. votes voted for the agreement
2) 95% on Irish republic voted for yes on the agreement
Mitchell Report, Jan 1966
1) Blair gained Sinn Fein’s agreement to persuade the IRA to accept decommissioning (giving up weapons)
What problems exist today?
Nearly 4000 people were killed and more than 47,000 injured throughout the 30 year struggle
August 1998 –> after the agreement, violence still went on, IRA carried out some attacks
PM David Cameron apologised in 2010 for the unjustifiable firing from British troops on Bloody Sunday
Brexit –> border issues were a source of tension
