Devolution is when certain Devolution is when certain LEGISLATIVELEGISLATIVE powers are powers are passed downpassed down (or (or DEVOLVED)DEVOLVED) from a central from a central LEGISLATURELEGISLATURE to other democratic to other democratic regional institutions regional institutions

Direct rule is when Northern Irelands Direct rule is when Northern Irelands devolved Assembly is devolved Assembly is SUSPENDEDSUSPENDED and and Northern Ireland is Northern Ireland is governed DIRECTLYgoverned DIRECTLY from PARLIAMENT at Westminster from PARLIAMENT at Westminster

Stormont suspended

Direct Rule has been introduced on a Direct Rule has been introduced on a number of occasions in Northern number of occasions in Northern Ireland. Ireland.

It is introduced as an emergency matter It is introduced as an emergency matter when the UK Government feel that the when the UK Government feel that the devolved assembly is not functioning devolved assembly is not functioning properly. properly.

Direct Rule was imposed in Direct Rule was imposed in 19721972 when when the British Government lost the British Government lost confidence in the ability of the confidence in the ability of the Unionist dominated Northern Ireland Unionist dominated Northern Ireland Parliament to:Parliament to:

1.1.Deal with the Troubles andDeal with the Troubles and

2.2.Deliver much needed civil rights Deliver much needed civil rights reforms reforms • This was always intended to be a This was always intended to be a TEMPORARY SOLUTIONTEMPORARY SOLUTION to give space to give space to reach a political agreement. In fact to reach a political agreement. In fact it it lasted over 25 yearslasted over 25 years. .

• Under Direct Rule, the British Under Direct Rule, the British Government created a Government created a SECRETARY OF SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELANDSTATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND. This . This is a Government Minister who assumes is a Government Minister who assumes most of the political power for running most of the political power for running Northern Ireland (See below)Northern Ireland (See below)

• They are assisted by several They are assisted by several JUNIOR JUNIOR MINISTERSMINISTERS who look after portfolios who look after portfolios (ie security / education)(ie security / education)

• They are also assisted by the They are also assisted by the NIO- NIO- Northern Ireland OfficeNorthern Ireland Office (Civil Servants) (Civil Servants)

• Most Legislation for Northern Ireland Most Legislation for Northern Ireland was pushed through Westminster. was pushed through Westminster. Only the Only the NORTHERN IRELAND SELECT NORTHERN IRELAND SELECT COMMITTEECOMMITTEE had some power to had some power to influence decisions and laws influence decisions and laws

They are responsible to the WESTMINSTERWESTMINSTER PARLIAMENTPARLIAMENT and not the Northern Ireland

Assembly

They are in the UK Cabinet and their role is to represent Northern Ireland interests in Government at Westminster

SOSNISOSNI

Theresa Villiers MP Theresa Villiers MP (Cons)(Cons)

This is a position of little power when things are peaceful and the Assembly worksHOWEVERHOWEVER in times of crisis or Direct Rule it becomes a very powerful position.

Under Direct Rule they were assisted by a small group of junior Ministers (also British M.P’s from the ruling party)

This is the Chief MinisterChief Minister appointed by the Prime Minister with responsibility for Northern Ireland affairs. They are chosen from the ruling party in UK.

Mo Mo MowlamMowlam

Peter Peter MandelsonMandelson

Sir Patrick Sir Patrick MayhewMayhew Peter HainPeter Hain

1.1.Direct Rule allowed for legislation to be Direct Rule allowed for legislation to be passed in Westminster that would not passed in Westminster that would not have had any chance otherwise: ie) have had any chance otherwise: ie) Fair EmploymentFair Employment

2.2.It provided a political breathing space It provided a political breathing space to work on building a peaceful future. to work on building a peaceful future.

3.3.The Northern Ireland Select committee The Northern Ireland Select committee was set up to deal with scrutiny of was set up to deal with scrutiny of issues.issues.

4.4.Both Unionists AND nationalists did not Both Unionists AND nationalists did not like Direct rule. This gave them the like Direct rule. This gave them the impetus to end itimpetus to end it

5.5.It stopped Majority ruleIt stopped Majority rule

1.1.It created a It created a DEMOCRATIC DEFICITDEMOCRATIC DEFICIT – – This means This means it lacked Democratic it lacked Democratic LegitimacyLegitimacy. This occurs when . This occurs when democratic institutions fall short of democratic institutions fall short of fulfilling their principles of a fulfilling their principles of a Parliamentary democracy in their Parliamentary democracy in their practices or operationpractices or operation

2.2.An unelected S. of State, from a An unelected S. of State, from a political party Northern Ireland voters political party Northern Ireland voters cannot vote for, was put in charge of cannot vote for, was put in charge of all of N. Irelands major political all of N. Irelands major political decisions!  Local voters had NO choice decisions!  Local voters had NO choice over what issues were discussed and over what issues were discussed and passed. Many voters in 2005 reacted passed. Many voters in 2005 reacted very angrily to the possible very angrily to the possible introduction of water charges in introduction of water charges in Northern Ireland - without any local Northern Ireland - without any local consultation.consultation.

1.1.Most Ministers chosen seemed to have Most Ministers chosen seemed to have little or no experience of Northern little or no experience of Northern Ireland (or in many cases even want Ireland (or in many cases even want the job!)the job!)

2.2.Northern Ireland M.Ps had little Northern Ireland M.Ps had little influence in legislation. They made up influence in legislation. They made up 18 M.P’s out of 656!18 M.P’s out of 656!

3.3.Laws were passed with little debate or Laws were passed with little debate or scrutiny scrutiny