Devolution failing to resolve sectarianism
Last week, Northern Ireland’s devolved assembly reopened for the first time since October 2002. Members resumed debate after finally being asked to reconvene by Peter Hain, Northern Ireland Secretary.
For the first six months, the assembly will have no legislative powers, and will be continued to be ruled from Westminster. The absence of the 108 members from the chamber has cost the taxpayer nearly £100m in members’ salaries. We must ask, however, whether this new attempt at devolution in Northern Ireland will lead to any permanent stability for the province?
The Mr Hain’s new policy provides a framework to timetable events, rather than allowing them to drift on endlessly. A 24 November 2006 deadline has been imposed, by which time the assembly must have a power-sharing agreement or face salaries being withdrawn.
The 2003 elections saw the polarisation of political representation, with moderate parties losing substantial ground to extremists. The formation of an executive must be by coalition but Sinn Fein and the DUP, the two largest parties, have so far refused to negotiate. Mr Hain’s ultimatum, however, should provide politicians with incentives to approach the negotiating table.
Recent outbreaks of sectarian violence have again lead to doubts about the stability of the peace settlement. The murders of Catholic schoolboy Michael McIvleen, and of Denis Donaldson, a high ranking Sinn Fein official who had been an informant for the British government, have deepened tensions.
The IRA’s final decommissioning of its weapons has, however, has been a landmark of progress in the period between sessions. The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning reported last September that the IRA had met its commitments to withdraw all of its arms and this has been a crucial step in the peace process.
The sectarian divide is two-sided, however, and the accusations of republican terrorist links are not the only ones holding up the process. The loyalist paramilitaries, UVP and UDA, have not been recognised as observing the ceasefire.
The situation is again at a deadlock. Sectarianism appears to be ingrained into Northern Ireland politics. The deadline could potentially be just what is needed to force the politicians to the bargaining table. If it does not force some kind of solution, however, the democratic deficit is set to continue. This, while being undoubtedly better than the violence of previous decades, cannot be endured indefinitely.
