Devolution in Northern Ireland???

By Elizabeth Cutbirth

Background For this Article:

Northern Ireland has been plagued by decades of discrimination, violence, and death between Catholics and Protestants. The generalization is that Catholics have advocated Irish independence and the conjoining of of Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland whereas

the Protestants, a majority, are pro-unionism and advocate the political and cultural ties with Ireland and Great Britain be maintained.

The Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was signed in 1998 and has proved significant in the Northern Ireland Peace Process. Despite the agreement's positive effects and improvement in partisan party relations, there is still occasional illegal paramilitary activity that has occurred.

However, this Agreement provided for the eventual devolution of justice/ policing powers to N. Ireland, and that is what is being contended presently.

Major Parties in Northern Ireland: (and for this article)

Sinn Fein: (Irish for "we ourselves" ) The major party of Irish Republicanism (a desire for Irish Independence). Irish Nationalists tend to be Catholic. This party has been associated with IRA and has been known to use physical force to accomplish political goals.

The party believes that a devolved justice to N. Ireland would make it "more accountable" to the people.

IRA (Irish Republican Army): Has had a long history, dating back to 1900's advocating Irish independence through the Easter Rising, and Irish Volunteers.

DUP (Democratic Unionist Party): Unionist Party (advocation of the connection between Great Britain and Northern Ireland). It is also considered to be a Protestant Political Party

This party is in favor, but very "cautious" and skeptical of the devolution of policing powers to N. Ireland. It says it wants to be sure that the "community supports" this process.

Article:

Finally after ten days of negotiations, the Hillsborough talks have come to a conclusion.

The DUP and Sinn Fein, two major, opposing political parties from Northern Ireland, have finally come to an agreement for the devolution of policing and justice powers from England's Westminster to Northern Ireland's Storemont. This is a big deal because it is one more step forward from the Good Friday Agreement twelve years ago. Depending how this deal is received in Ireland's assembly, will determine the progression of devolution in Northern Ireland.

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and the Irish Minister Brian Cowen encouraged the two parties to come to an agreement.

For more info:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8484352.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8299103.stm