The Main Features of Direct Rule and Its Strengths and Weaknesses

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The Main Features of Direct Rule and Its Strengths and Weaknesses

Direct Rule was enforced as a temporary expedient to Northern Ireland

ruling problems in March of 1972. Direct rule meant that the Secretary

of state and his Junior Ministers ran Northern Ireland directly from

Westminster. The solution was imposed due to the discrimination

against Catholics by the Unionists who ruled Northern Ireland.

The Secretary Of State John Reid has a seat in the British Cabinet. He

is responsible for the conduct of policy in Northern Ireland and for

representing and defending the interests of Northern Ireland both at

Westminster and when necessary at an international stage.

The role Northern Ireland Office is to support the Secretary of State

for Northern Ireland in securing a lasting peace, based on the Good

Friday Agreement, in which the rights and identities of all traditions

in Northern Ireland are fully respected and safeguarded and in which a

safe, stable, just, open and tolerant society can thrive and prosper.

This involves the work of the Junior ministers at the moment there are

four and they are also dedicated to helping the Secretary of State

through his work.

Direct Rule contains three types of legislation:

Excepted: Matters always beyond the remit of any devolved

administration e.g. currency and foreign policy.

Reserved: Matters that concern issues such as policing they would not

normally be the responsibility of a devolved local assembly.

Transferred: These are neither excepted or reserved and are the

responsibility of a local assembly.

Under Direct Rule there are two ways in which laws are passed by

either acts of parliament or by ministerial decree which take 40 days

to become law after being sent to parliament.

Many see the name 'Direct Rule' as a misnomer as there are many things

that 'dilute' it. Two examples come along with legislature. There is

an Inter-Governmental Conference held between the British and Irish

governments at this conference the matters in Northern Ireland are

discussed between the governments and amended until an agreement is

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