Topic 4 - Democratic Institutions Flashcards
Why was The Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement 1998 so significant ?
- This agreement between the political parties in Northern Ireland and the British and Irish governments was an attempt to bring peace to a divided society and an end to the period of conflict known as “The Troubles” (It ended the troubles)
- It was approved by 71% of voters in Northern Ireland in a referendum
What was agreed in The Good Friday Agreement 1998 ?
- A devolved government was established. Instead of all the issues affecting Northern Ireland being decided at Westminster, local representatives were to make decisions about local issues in the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont (giving local government power to make laws)
- The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and Equality Commission were created to promote equality, diversity and inclusion
- The government was to be power sharing meaning the right to make decisions was to be shared between the two main communities (unionists and nationalists working together)
- Paramilitary groups were required to destroy ( decommission) arms / weapons, making it more difficult for these groups to resort to violence again
- The police Ombudsman’s office was created to ensure policing is fair for everyone
- The right of people in Northern Ireland to hold both British and Irish citizenship is upheld (dual citizenship)
What were the positives and negatives of The role of The Good Friday Agreement in Promoting Peace ?
Positives :
- It created a system for reaching agreement through democratic discussion without resorting to violence
- It was supported by 71% of the population in a referendum
- It required decommissioning of arms making it more difficult to resort to violence
- It promoted equality, diversity and human rights, creating organisations like the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to uphold these
- It ensured the justice system and policing system was fair for all e.g. through the police Ombudsman Office
Negatives :
- Democratic processes take time and it continues to be difficult for the main political parties to agree on a range of issues. Tensions exist on matters such as parades and the legacy of the past
- Not everyone supported the Agreement. Some republicans feel it didn’t make a United Ireland more likely while some loyalists believed it undermined Northern Irelands position within the UK
- The main political parties have not always been able to agree on how to interpret issues relating to rights.
- Violence against individuals and the PSNI has not disappeared from Northern Ireland, nor have civil disturbances
What is the structure of the Northern Ireland Assembly ?
It is the legislative (law making) body created by The Good Friday Agreement and consists of :
- Consists of 90 elected MLAs
- The executive committee led by the First and Deputy First Minister and 9 government ministers
- A speaker who acts as chair
- Committees which advise each of the ministers of the different departments of government
What does the Northern Ireland Assembly consist of ?
- Consists of 90 elected MLAs
- The executive committee led by the First and Deputy First Minister and 9 government ministers
- A speaker who acts as chair
- Committees which advise each of the ministers of the different departments of government
What are the main roles of the Northern Ireland Assembly ?
- It debates issues and legislates (makes laws) to benefit the people of Northern Ireland on areas which are transferred matters ( some matters are still dealt with at Westminster e.g. defence, taxation and foreign policy)
- Scrutinises the work of the Northern Ireland executive to ensure that the terms of the Good Friday Agreement are met e.g. by promoting human rights, equality and diversity
- Ensure that there are high quality services to meet the needs of the people of Northern Ireland e.g education, healthcare, housing and transport
- ## Ensure the views of the electorate are represented by sicussing decisions and policies
What is the structure of the Northern Ireland Executive?
- The office of the First minister and Deputy First Minister who are nominated by the largest and second largest political parties. They chair the meetings of the Executive.
The executive committee consists of 9 ministers of the different government departments which are appointed by political parties
What are the roles of the Northern Ireland Executive ?
Work with the Northern Ireland Assembly in order to :
- Decide on the priorities for the government, agree on a programme for the government and a budget based on this programme
- Promote economic development
- Uphold human rights and equality
- Tackle poverty and exclusion
- The ministers which form the executive are each responsible for one of the government departments
Give 4 examples of government departments and what they are responsible for in detail ?
- Department of education (DE) - Responsible for Schools and infrastructure, curriculum and learning, teaching and non-teaching staff, funding and pay rises for all of these
- Department of Health (DoH) - Is responsible for managing the NHS in Northern Ireland. It is responsible for the different medical and health professionals, the mental health policy, public health policy, dentistry and social services
- Department for Infrastructure (DfE) - Is responsible for roads, public transport, water and sewage systems, ports, rivers and flooding
- Department of Justice (DoJ) - Is responsible for Policing and community safety as well as the justice system, legal aid, prisons and forsenic science
Why must ministers take a pledge of Office ?
Ministers must take a Pledge of Office to :
- Serve all people of Northern Ireland equally
- Carry out duties in good faith
- Be committed to non-violence
- Comply with the Ministeral Code of Conduct which sets out standards for behaviour, accountability, use of public funds, declaration of personal or business interests which may conflict with their role in office
What is the Ministeral Code of Conduct?
It sets out standards for behaviour, accountability, use of public funds, declaration of personal or business interests high may conflict a minsters role in office.
What does MLA stand for ?
Members of the Legeslative Assembly
What is the role of MLAs (Members of the Legeslative Assembly) ?
- To look after the needs of people in their constituency through their offices where local people can come to discuss issues
- Take part in debates and vote on new laws
- To examine and keep a check on the work of the Ministers of each government department by taking part in committee meetings
How are MLAs elected
They are elected by the people of Northern Ireland
What is the role of Local Councils ?
- Waste collection
- Leisure facilities like leisure centres and parks
- Local events and festivals
- Registry offices
- Public health and safety
How is is the local council funded ?
Local councils are funded through rates - a property tax
Who do Local councils consist of ?
Local councils consist of elected councillors
Why was the police ombudsman created ?
It was created in order to ensure a fair policing system; the Ombudsman is completely independent of the PSNI
What does The Police Ombudsman do / what are its roles ?
- Investigates complaints made about the PSNI relating to force or behaviour of officers
- Investigates any death that may have occurred as a result of the actions of police officers and all use of firearms
- It investigates road traffic accidents involving police officers
- If a complaint is upheld, it can pass evidence to the chief constable or to the courts which may lead to a range of actions from advice, to dismissal, to prosecution
Name the body which makes laws for Northern Ireland ?
The Northern Ireland Assembly
