Under that agreement, the British and Irish Governments undertook to hold referendums in Northern Ireland and the Republic on 22 May 1998 respectively. The referendum in Northern Ireland was aimed at approving the agreement reached during the multi-party negotiations. The referendum in the Republic of Ireland was aimed at approving the BRITANNICO-Irish Agreement and facilitating the amendment of the Constitution of Ireland in accordance with the Agreement. The British-Irish Council is composed of ministerial representatives from the British and Irish governments, the devolved administrations of the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) and the Crown Estates of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. The Council`s objective is to promote cooperation and create a forum for the establishment of common policies. On the Republican side, the « no » campaign seemed to focus on the purity of the Republican ideal of complete and absolute independence from Britain. From this point of view, any compromise, however temporary, on the goal of Irish unity (or the right to continue armed struggle) was presented as a betrayal of those who had fought and died for Ireland. The dismantling of weapons and the end of paramilitary activities were portrayed as capitulation to the British. The principle of consent was presented as a trade unionist veto, as it meant that political progress would be almost impossible without the participation of trade unionists.
It was pointed out that the agreement accepts a division. The state and its institutions would remain hostile to the republican community, critics argued. Despite these concerns, the vast majority of Republicans voted yes, with only a few small non-representative parties (such as Republican Sinn Féin) advocating no on the nationalist side. Under the agreement, Northern Ireland, like the rest of the UK, is no longer part of the EU`s customs union, which is the basis for common customs duties on all goods entering the bloc. The necessary customs controls should not take place at the border with the Republic of Ireland, but between Northern Ireland and Great Britain; This creates a new border in the Irish Sea. In the meantime, Northern Ireland – but not the rest of the UK – will continue to comply with many EU single market rules, allowing the land border with Ireland to remain open. In addition, the Protocol is supported by a separate agreement between Ireland and the United Kingdom, which allows for the free movement of persons between the two countries. 3. Accordingly, all participants reaffirm their commitment to the complete disarmament of all paramilitary organizations. They also reaffirm their intention to continue to cooperate constructively and in good faith with the Independent Commission and to use any influence they may have to achieve the dismantling of all paramilitary weapons within two years of the approval of the Agreement by referendum in the north and south of the Agreement and in the context of the implementation of the general regime.
The IRA targeted in particular the police and soldiers of the British army patrolling the streets. The situation worsened further in 1972 when 14 people were killed by British troops during a peaceful civil rights march led by Catholics and Republicans in Londonderry. The North-South Council of Ministers is composed of ministers from the executive of Northern Ireland and the Irish Government. It was created « to develop consultation, cooperation and action » in twelve areas of mutual interest. These include six areas in which the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government develop common policies but implement them separately in each jurisdiction, and six areas in which they develop common policies implemented through institutions common to all of Ireland. 4. All decisions shall be taken by mutual agreement between the two Governments. Governments will make determined efforts to resolve disagreements among themselves. There will be no exception to the sovereignty of either government. 19.
The Executive Committee provides a forum to discuss and agree on issues relating to the competences of two or more ministers, to prioritise executive and legislative proposals and to recommend a common position if necessary (e.B in dealing with external relations). 1. The two Governments will sign, as soon as possible, a new British-Irish Agreement replacing the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985, which contains agreements on constitutional matters and reaffirms their solemn commitment to support and, where appropriate, implement the Agreement reached by the participants in the negotiations annexed to the United Kingdom-Ireland Agreement. Among the participants in the agreement were two sovereign states (the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland) with armed and police forces involved in the unrest. Two political parties, Sinn Féin and the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP), were linked to paramilitary organisations: the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) respectively. The Ulster Democratic Party (UDP), which was linked to the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), had withdrawn from the talks three months earlier. At the Northern Ireland Assembly in June 2000, the parties vigorously debated the hoisting of Union flags on public buildings. Sinn Fein had ordered the departments it controlled not to fly the Union flag.1 On 8 November 2000, the Government adopted the Northern Ireland Statutory Rules (No 347) on flags2, which came into force on 11 November 2000. It specified certain days and occasions when the Union flag could be hoisted. Legislation has reduced the days the flag flies from 9 to 5.3 p.m. « Good Friday Agreement – Symbols and Emblems, » BBC News, accessed February 7, 2013, www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/agreement/culture/symbols2. The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann officially ordered the end of the armed campaign.
It will enter into force this afternoon from 4 p..m. All IRA units were ordered to unload weapons. All volunteers were instructed to support the development of purely political and democratic programmes by exclusively peaceful means. Volunteers are not allowed to participate in other activities. The IRA leadership also authorized our representative to work with the IICD to complete the process of deploying its weapons in a demonstrable manner in a way that further enhances public confidence and to complete it as soon as possible. We have invited two independent witnesses from the Protestant and Catholic Churches to testify to this. The Army Council made these decisions after an unprecedented process of discussion and internal consultation with IRA units and volunteers. We appreciate the honest and direct way in which the consultation process was conducted, as well as the depth and content of the submissions. We are proud of the camarade way in which this truly historic discussion was conducted. The results of our consultations show very strong support among IRA volunteers for Sinn Féin`s peace strategy.
There is also concern about the inability of both Governments and unionists to participate fully in the peace process. This has led to real difficulties. The overwhelming majority of Irish people fully support this process. You and the friends of Irish unity around the world want to see the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Despite these difficulties, our decisions were taken to advance our republican and democratic goals, including our goal of a united Ireland. We believe that there is now another way to achieve this and to end British rule in our country. It is the responsibility of all volunteers to demonstrate leadership, determination and courage. We are acutely aware of the victims of our dead patriots, those who went to prison, the volunteers, their families and the broader republican base. We reaffirm our view that armed struggle is perfectly legitimate.
We are aware that many people have suffered from the conflict. There is an imperative on all sides to build a just and lasting peace. The question of defending the nationalist and republican communities was raised with us. It is the responsibility of society to ensure that the pogroms of 1969 and the early 1970s are not repeated. There is also a universal responsibility to fight sectarianism in all its forms. The IRA is fully committed to the goals of Irish unity and independence and the building of the Republic set out in the 1916 Proclamation. .