Devolution - Northern Ireland Flashcards
Why has there always been such a massive divide in Northern Ireland?
The country is dominated by the division of Catholics who are Nationalists and Protestants who are Unionists.
Northern Ireland actually had their own parliament before it was abolished by Westminster in 1972. How come they had their own parliament?
In 1922, 26 of the 32 counties of Ireland broke away from the UK to form the Republic of Ireland. The remaining 6 counties stayed with the UK, became Northern Ireland and formed their own parliament which is largely self-governing.
Give examples of the division between Catholics and Protestants during the 20th century?
1) From 1922 to 1972, the NI Parliament was dominated by Protestant Unionists through a mixture of gerrymandering and intimidation of Catholics.
2) Protestants were dominant in Business and the professions and Catholics were heavily discriminated against.
3) Protestants were always put first in public housing and were given special treatment.
4) When the 1960’s came about, Catholics started their own civil rights movement. Protestants reacted violently and feared a threat to their dominance and burned Catholics out of their homes in 1968/69.
What caused the UK Parliament to abolish the NI Parliament in 1972?
The “Troubles”
What was the “Good Friday Agreement” in 1998?
It was an agreement to set up a ‘power sharing’ arrangement between Catholics and Protestants, which was publicly backed by a referendum for the people in Northern Ireland. Elections to a new NI assembly were to be held and a ruling executive to be made up of ministers from the largest Catholic Nationalist and Protestant Unionist was set up.
How often are elections to the NI assembly held and what electoral system does it use?
They’re held every 5 years and they use the Single Transferable Vote (STV).
What parties are there in Northern Ireland?
1) Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - Right wing conservative unionist party and largest Protestant party.
2) Sinn Fein - Left wing republican nationalist party and largest Catholic party.
3) Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) - Centre left nationalist party supported by middle class Catholics.
4) Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) - Moderate centre right unionist party supported by middle class Protestants.
5) Alliance - Liberal centrist party supported by educated Catholic and Protestant liberals.
6) Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) - Extreme right wing unionist party.
7) NI Greens - Just like Greens at Westminster.
8) UKIP - Just like UKIP at Westminster.
What are some of the main powers that the NI assembly have?
Health, education, transport, housing and primary legislation e.g abortion. Economic, social and foreign policy is all under control from Westminster. Even NI’s taxation is under control from Westminster.
What is the background between the DUP, Northern Ireland and Brexit?
Despite DUP advocating a Leave vote and the other parties backing Remain, everyone agreed that whatever the outcome, the border between NI and ROI would remain open. Despite commitments on keeping an open border and assurances from the UK and Irish governments that this would remain the case, the fact that this is the only UK’s land border with the EU is vital. Following the 2017 snap election, the Conservative government formed a confidence and supply agreement with the DUP causing fury on the nationalist side with the belief of anti-nationalism being a possibility. But in 2019 the DUP were swept aside by a victorious Boris Johnson and there was no effect on the NI Protocol.
