key events of NI devolution

Question 1

1920

Answer 1

gov of Ireland act created the parliament of NI which ran from 1921-72

Question 2

1960-98

Answer 2

the troubles - this was a period of conflict in NI over the status of NI in the union. from 1972 the parliament of NI was suspended and NI ruled from Westminster

Question 3

1998

Answer 3

the good Friday agreement proposed a new power sharing government in NI and creation of a NI assembly and NI for executive. a referendum was held on the agreement 71% yes 29% no
turnout was 81%

Question 4

suspensions

Answer 4

on five occasions since 1998 the NI assembly has been suspended
- 11 feb - 30 may 2000 failure to strike a deal on IRA decommissioning
- 10 august 2001 continued failure to strike a deal on IRA decommissioning
- 22 sept 2001 continued failure to strike deal on IRA decommissioning
- 14 October 2002- may 2007 following a police raid of Sinn Feins offices the party withdrew from the power sharing agreement
- 9 January 2017-11 January 2020 a scandal over spending on a renewable heat initiative saw Sinn Fein withdraw from power-sharing while DUP leader Arlene Foster remains in power

Question 5

2022

Answer 5

the DUP first minster resined causing the deputy first monster to also loose Hern position and leading to new elections . while Sinn Fein gained the most seats in the May election the DUP would not nominate a deputy FM and therefore no gov was formed

Question 6

as a devolved nation NI has made several policy decisions that differed from the UK

Answer 6

• until 2019 when a UK law forced change NI did not allow abortions in many circumstances
• NI held lockdowns at different times to England including a 4 week ‘ circuit breaker ‘ lockdown in oct 2020