Reply #91: Americans

[eric144]

would be much better to stay at home and not interfere in things about which they know nothing (like Iraq). British elections are different from American ones, local council elections are very poor indicators of national ones.

This from the actual 'framework document' agreement itself (Irish government website)

North/South Institutions
24. Both Governments consider that new institutions should be created to cater adequately for present and future political, social and economic inter-connections on the island of Ireland, enabling representatives of the main traditions, North and South, to enter agreed dynamic, new, co-operative and constructive relationships.

25. Both Governments agree that these institutions should include a North/South body involving Heads of Department on both sides and duly established and maintained by legislation in both sovereign Parliaments. This body would bring together these Heads of Department representing the Irish Government and new democratic institutions in Northern Ireland, to discharge or oversee delegated executive, harmonising or consultative functions, as appropriate, over a range of matters which the two Governments designate in the first instance in agreement with the parties or which the two administrations, North and South, subsequently agree to designate. It is envisaged that, in determining functions to be discharged or overseen by the North/South body, whether by executive action, harmonisation or consultation, account will be taken of:
(i) the common interest in a given matter on the part of both parts of the island; or
(ii) the mutual advantage of addressing a matter together; or
(iii) the mutual benefit which may derive from it being administered by the North/South body; or
(iv) the achievement of economies of scale and the avoidance of unnecessary duplication of effort.
In relevant posts in each of the two administrations participation in the North/South body would be a duty of service. Both Governments believe that the legislation should provide for a clear institutional identity and purpose for the North/South body. It would also establish the body's terms of reference, legal status and arrangements for political, legal, administrative and financial accountability. The North/South body could operate through, or oversee, a range of functionally-related subsidiary bodies or other entities established to administer designated functions on an all- island or cross-border basis.

http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/angloirish/frameworkdocument/default.asp

also


http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/sr184/notes.htm

"Union blues

More than quarter of a century on from the first civil rights marches in Northern Ireland and after more than two decades of armed struggle, just what has been achieved? The long awaited framework document drafted by British and Irish politicians has finally been unveiled by John Major and the Irish Republic's prime minister, John Breton.

The document states that Northern Ireland will remain part of the United Kingdom with a new assembly running its affairs. Important legislation will require a two thirds majority while a three person panel (made up of two Unionist representatives and one from the Nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party) oversees the assembly's work. The London and Dublin governments have powers to intervene if any party blocks the assembly's workings.

Sitting over this body will be a joint body bringing together ministers from this new assembly and from the Irish parliament, with powers over 'policy areas of mutual interest'. Britain will change the constitutional position of Northern Ireland allowing its status within the United Kingdom to be decided by its population.

The new Northern Ireland assembly will have little more power than a local council on this side of the Irish Sea. It will not control matters of security. Its decisions and funding will be subject to veto by Tory politicians in London and Dublin.

Republicans attach great importance to the new 'cross border institutions'. These have also been targeted by Unionists like Ian Paisley. Both, for their own reasons, present these as stepping stones to a united Ireland. But the Republican leadership talks of any such development taking decades.

Yet just what will these 'cross border institutions' bring to the people of Ireland? One area they will have some control over is health care. In the North, health provision is under attack from Tory privatisation and cuts, while across the border there is no full welfare state. Any 'cross border institution' will do nothing to improve this situation.


http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/sr184/notes.htm