O'Neill's Aims for NI

Question 1

What were O’Neill’s aims for NI?

Answer 1

improve NI’s economy
improve community relations
improve relations between ROI and NI

Question 2

what policies did O’Neill put in place to improve NI’s economy

Answer 2

modernise roads and railways
creation of Ministry of Development
establishment of the city of Craigavon
development of uni in Coleraine
oil refinery in Belfast

Question 3

what success did O’Neill have to improve NI’s economy

Answer 3

35,000 new jobs created in 1960s
large multinational firms eg Michelin opened factories
construction of M1 motorway and airport began
signing of agreement with ROI on supply of electricity

Question 4

what failures did O’Neill face in improving NI’s economy?

Answer 4

over 20,000 jobs lost in traditional industry eg. linen
gov had to give money to Harland and Wolff
unemployment averaged at 7-8%
companies didn’t open factories west of the River Bann

Question 5

what policies did O’Neill put in place to improve community relations

Answer 5

visited cardinal conway - leader of Irish RC church
offered official condolences on Pope John XXIII’s death
visiting RC schools and hospital
increased financial support for RC schools and hospitals

Question 6

what success did O’Neill have to improve community relations

Answer 6

well received by the nationalist community

Question 7

what failures did O’Neill face in improving community relations

Answer 7

concerned the unionist community - might lead to a united ireland

Question 8

what policies did O’Neill put in place to improve relations between NI and ROI?

Answer 8

held meetings with 2 Taoiseachs;
Lemass 14.1.65 - first such meeting in 40 years
Lynch 12.67 - talk about economy

Question 9

what success did O’Neill have to improve relations between NI and ROI?

Answer 9

nationalist community and many moderate unionists pleased by meetings
OUP showed approval in 1967 - lynch visit agreed in cabinet

Question 10

what failures did O’Neill face in improving relations between NI and ROI?

Answer 10

OUP didn’t appreciate O’Neill didn’t discuss Lemass meeting beforehand
Many unionists concerned O’Neill was creating links with ROI that could threaten their position