In this essay I am going to analyse the principle agreements of the Irish and the British government with regards to Northern Ireland and to outline the aims of the Irish government for their policy. The Irish policy underwent certain shifts of emphasis during the period from 1985 to the present day and I will examine these different approaches.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Anglo-Irish-Agreement
2.1 New Ireland Forum (1983-1985)
2.1.1 Background motives
2.2 The Anglo-Irish Agreement
2.3 Aims
2.4 Results and setbacks
3. The Peace Process (1993- )
3.1 Preparations - Prerequisites
3.2 The Downing Street Declaration
3.3 Reform or Constitutional Change?
3.4 Results
4. The Belfast Agreement
4.1 Terms and agreements
4.2 Background and Ideological Consequences
5. Further development
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This assignment examines the evolution of Irish government policy regarding Northern Ireland from the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement to the present day. It analyzes how policy objectives shifted from initial attempts at stabilizing the border region and managing the conflict through cross-border cooperation toward the pragmatic, reformist approaches characterizing the peace process and the Belfast Agreement.
- Evolution of Anglo-Irish relations post-1985
- Political impact of the New Ireland Forum
- Strategic shifts within the Northern Ireland Peace Process
- The transition from constitutional claims to institutional cooperation
- Political implications of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 The Anglo-Irish Agreement
Between 1984 and 1985, quiet diplomatic and informal negotiations between Ireland and Great Britain continued which would lead to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in November 1985. The Agreement comprised several important terms:
1. a change in the status of Northern Ireland will only be carried out with the consent of a majority of the people in Northern Ireland
2. an Anglo-Irish Conference at Ministerial or official level will be set up to deal with political, legal and security matters and with cross-border cooperation.
3. a joint Secretariat shall be established to service the Conference on a continuing basis
4. the United Kingdom will accept that the Republic of Ireland will put forward proposals and views on matters relating to Northern Ireland
5. the Irish government will have a say as to policing matters, enforcement of criminal law, prisons policy etc.
6. cross-border cooperation regarding the economy, trade, tourism and social and cultural matters shall be promoted
(cf. Department of Foreign Affairs, Anglo-Irish Agreement 1985).
This was the first time the British government granted the Republic of Ireland a formal role in matters relating to Northern Ireland. On the other hand, Article 1 of the Agreement clearly stated that there would be no constitutional change unless a majority of the Northern Irish population is in favour of it.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the scope of the essay, which analyzes the shift in Irish government policy towards Northern Ireland since 1985.
2. The Anglo-Irish-Agreement: Discusses the historical context, the New Ireland Forum, and the terms and aims of the 1985 agreement as a mechanism for cross-border cooperation.
3. The Peace Process (1993- ): Analyzes the transition to the peace process, including the dialogue between John Hume and Gerry Adams and the significance of the Downing Street Declaration.
4. The Belfast Agreement: Examines the institutional framework established by the agreement and its ideological impact on the Irish Republic's territorial claims.
5. Further development: Reviews the implementation challenges of the Belfast Agreement and the subsequent political developments through 2007.
6. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, noting a pragmatic shift in policy towards political stabilization over the pursuit of immediate reunification.
Keywords
Northern Ireland, Anglo-Irish Agreement, Peace Process, Belfast Agreement, Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein, constitutional change, cross-border cooperation, John Hume, Downing Street Declaration, political stabilization, nationalism, power-sharing, sovereignty, institutional reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the aims and evolution of the Irish government's policy toward Northern Ireland, starting from the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement through the peace process to the Belfast Agreement.
What are the central themes of the work?
Key themes include the shift from traditional nationalist goals to pragmatic political stabilization, the role of institutional frameworks, and the changing relationship between the Republic of Ireland, the UK, and Northern Irish political parties.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The primary goal is to outline and examine the shifts in emphasis in Irish policy, specifically how the government sought to manage the Northern Ireland conflict while maintaining stability in the South.
Which methodology is applied in this research?
The author employs a historical and political analysis approach, reviewing key policy documents, agreements, and scholarly literature to trace the development of government strategies.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The body covers the New Ireland Forum, the mechanics of the 1985 agreement, the evolution of the peace process from 1993, and the implications of the Good Friday Agreement.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The work is best characterized by terms like Northern Ireland, Anglo-Irish Agreement, Peace Process, Belfast Agreement, and political stabilization.
How did the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement influence subsequent policy?
It established a precedent for the Republic of Ireland to have a formal, consultative role in Northern Irish affairs, which served as a foundation for further diplomatic cooperation.
Why did the Irish government shift away from pursuing a united Ireland?
The shift was driven by a pragmatic need to ensure state stability in the South, limit the influence of Sinn Fein, and foster a peaceful political environment in Northern Ireland rather than pursuing immediate constitutional change.
What role did the United States play in the peace process?
The US supported the peace process through economic investment, diplomatic engagement by figures like Senator Mitchell, and by encouraging human rights-based approaches to conflict resolution.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Birgit Wilpers (Autor:in), 2009, The aims of Irish government policy on Northern Ireland since the Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/154830
