Belfast Agreement

The Difficulties of Implementing the Good Friday Agreement The Good Friday Agreement was voted on by a relatively large turnout of 68.8% in 1998 and was rejected by a significant 29% of people in Northern Ireland. For the past six years it has proved to be difficult to implement and there are a number of reasons for this. The emphasis on issues raised in the agreement has changed over the years and some are proving to be more difficult

Another major influence on the ability to institutionalize peace is the role of powerful national individuals. Many people will follow an influential figure and do whatever they say if they believe in what they are being told. This can be both good and bad depending on the situation. If the leader has radical views and wants change, they will often resort to violence to get what is desired. That is the worst case scenario because if peace is trying to be obtained, then fighting will only make

uniforms. This democratic success persuaded Republicans of the benefits of politics instead of violence as a way of getting what they wanted. In 1985 British and Irish prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and Garrett Fitzgerald signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement. This recognised the Republic of Ireland's right to have an advice-giving role in the affairs of Northern Ireland. In

result of The Troubles. However, the Troubles represent a fascinating part of Ireland’s history with a large number of deaths, injuries, and destruction but also a huge political and social change (McKittrick and McVea 2002). By 1998 the Good Friday Agreement was signed by both Nationalist and Unionists as a peace process within Northern Ireland. Research carried out

The Problems of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland is part of Ireland which is the most western part in Europe. It is a small place with a population of 1.5 million and is no larger than Yorkshire. It has been the centre of media attention because of a conflict between the people of the province. Many people have been killed there and in the years 1968-1994 over three thousand died. Northern Ireland is ruled by the British parliament in London where as the republic

Diplomacy does not happen overnight, and the true tale of hardship and bickering over Northern Ireland is proof of that. Ireland and England failed to agree on who held the power of Northern Ireland for over 30 years until the Good Friday Agreement, a form of diplomacy between the countries, took place. Before that time, many soldiers and innocent citizens of Northern Ireland lost their lives. Religious fights broke out between Catholic and Protestant residents. Political figures from countries like

The Good Friday Agreement says that they will let the majority vote then that will determine if Northern Ireland unites with Ireland. This agreement allows Northern Ireland to be a part of the United Kingdom for as long as the majority desires to be. (Bollens, page 57). Although there was always a majority of Protestants in Northern Ireland, there has been a shift to more Catholics now. Professor Bollens, projects that within the next 10 to 15 years the shift from Protestants to Catholics is going

the Belfast Good Friday Agreement of 1998. After more than 30 years of civil conflict, peace had finally been achieved. However, random violence acts have continued since then. How did the Belfast Good Friday Agreement end the Troubles in Northern Ireland and how is the country today? The island was divided into Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland in the 1920s.

and reopen years’ old wounds that threaten to turn into scars. This is especially true of the Northern Ireland conflict. Although a timeline may tell a person that the conflict lasted from the 1960’s to 1998, supposedly ending with the Good Friday Agreement, the turmoil and healing in Northern Ireland is nowhere near its finality. Seamus Heaney, an Irish poet born a mere 20 years before the conflict began, was deeply affected by the conflict and the impact it had on himself and his family. Many of Heaney’s

old enemies. Despite the fact that this article has been published 37 years ago, it has some relevant parts on today prospect of Brexit. Introduction: In this presentation, Mrs Karine Brigand focused on the impact of Brexit from both Dublin and Belfast perspectives. This “unique” relationship, between the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, continued after the 1922 partition. They created a free circulation between both countries. A free circulation