the main features of the gfa

When Labour came to power in 1997, the outgoing Secretary of State, Sir Patrick Mayhew, was at pains to do all he could to help the incoming minister, Dr Mo Mowlam. Discussions continued month after month between party representatives. Both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern involved themselves in the details to a remarkable degree. Finally, on Good Friday 1998, all the main parties - with the exception of the Democratic Unionist Party - announced agreement.

Essentially the SDLP MP who described the accord as 'Sunningdale for slow learners' was not wrong. A power-sharing devolved government would be formed with ministerial posts distributed according to party strength. The involvement of parties representing paramilitaries (primarily the Ulster Democratic Party, the Progressive Unionist Party and Sinn Fein) depended on the maintenance of cease-fires and 'decommissioning' of paramilitary weapons. A copy of the agreement was delivered to every household in Northern Ireland, and in May

David Trimble, the Ulster Unionist leader, has warned Mr Blair that he will quit the executive by Tuesday unless the Government expels Sinn Fein’s two ministers. Instead, Mr Blair is expected to suspend the power-sharing institutions, probably on Monday.

Speaking after the Downing Street meeting, Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein president, said the demand for the IRA to disband by Christmas was “a bit like wishing for Santa Claus”.

It is the fourth time the administration has been suspended since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998, and the Stormont Assembly is expected to be thick with recrimination for this afternoon's final session.

“The shorter the period of suspension the better because devolution has been good for the people of Northern Ireland.”

Dr Reid said he intended to have talks with the outgoing First Minister, David Trimble, and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan as well the Irish government before discussions with the various parties, hopefully next week.

The prospect of direct rule “with a green tinge” will become a reality as the more mundane functions of the cross-border ministerial council are expected to continue. The Government will seek to convene talks with the main parties soon while it will also decide whether to postpone local elections set for May.

Some topics in this essay:
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