The Agreements

Question 1

List the 5 Agreements

Answer 1

St. Andrew’s Agreement, 2006
Hillsborough Agreement, 2010
Stormont House Agreement, 2014
Fresh Start Agreement, 2015
New Decade, New Approach, 2020

Question 2

What model of government was set out to be established in the GFA?

Answer 2

Consociational

Question 3

What are the concepts of a consociational government?

Answer 3

Power-sharing,
Proportionality,
Segmental Autonomy,
Mutual veto

Question 4

What were the three strands of government established in the GFA?

Answer 4

The Executive,
North/South Ministerial Council
British-Irish Council (East/West)

Question 5

What happened at the 2003 elections?

Answer 5

Electoral Polarisation - SF largest Nationalist party, DUP largest Unionist party

Question 6

What was the key aim of St. Andrew’s?

Answer 6

To renegotiate and return devolution

Question 7

What did St Andrew’s do?

Answer 7

Allowed for 30 MLAs to refer a ministerial decision back to the Executive, within seven days of an executive decision.

Question 8

Who decides if an issue is of public importance?

Answer 8

The Presiding Officer (Speaker)

Question 9

Can a second referral be made to the Executive regarding an issue?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

How was Ministerial Accountability affected by St. Andrew’s?

Answer 10

The Statutory Ministerial Code was introduced.

Question 11

How were issues unable to be decided by a consensus handled?

Answer 11

Three ministers could require said issues to be handled on a cross-community basis (parallel consent, weighted majority)

Question 12

What amendments were made to the Pledge of Office?

Answer 12

Ministers are required to partake fully in the Executive, NSMC& BIC and to observe the joint nature of the Office of FM/dFM