Northern Ireland Framework Document Summary

Part I - 'A Framework for Accountable Government in Northern Ireland' - is a 1985 paper by the British Government offering proposals for possible new democratic institutions in Northern Ireland.

Part II - 'A New Framework for Agreement' - is a joint 1985 paper by the British and Irish Governments, which has come to be known as the Joint Framework Document. It offers proposals for relationships within the island of Ireland, and between the two Governments.

Neither paper is put forward as a blueprint, to be imposed. The proposals in each areoffered for further discussion in the Talks process. Part I is offered as an aid to negotiation involving the Northern Ireland parties and the British Government. Part II serves the same purpose for negotiation involving the Northern Ireland parties and the British and Irish Governments.

A Framework for Accountable Government in Northern Ireland

These proposals:

• outline the British Government's understanding of where agreement might be found amongst the political parties and the wider community on new democratic institutions within Northern Ireland;

• identify the characteristics that should underlie any such new institutions;

• propose and describe in greater detail:
  • a single unicameral Assembly of about 90 members elected for a fixed term;

  • legislative and executive responsibility over as wide a range of subjects as in 1973;

  • elections to the Assembly by a form of proportional representation;

  • possibly a separate Panel, perhaps of 3 people elected within Northern Ireland, to complement the working of the Assembly;

  • a system of Assembly Committees, constituted broadly in proportion to party strengths in the Assembly;

  • a system of detailed checks and balances intended to sustain confidence in the institutions.

A New Framework for Agreement

• reaffirm the guiding principles of self-determination, the consent ofthe governed, exclusively democratic and peaceful means, and full respect and protection for the rights and identities of both traditions;

• provide for an agreed new approach to traditional constitutional doctrines on both sides:

• the British Government will propose changes to its constitutional legislation, so as to incorporate a commitment to continuing willingness to accept the will of a majority of the people living in Northern Ireland, and a commitment to exercise their jurisdiction with rigorous impartiality on behalf of all the people of NorthernIreland, in a way which does not prejudice their freedom to determine Northern Ireland's constitutional status, whether in remaining a part of the United Kingdom or in forming part of a united Ireland;

• the Irish Government will introduce and support proposals for changes in the Irish Constitution, so that no territorial claim of right to jurisdiction over Northern Ireland contrary to the will of a majority of its people is asserted, and so that the Irish Government recognise the legitimacy of whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland with regard to its constitutional status;

• commend direct dialogue with the relevant political parties in Northern Ireland in developing new internal structures;

• propose a North/South body, comprising elected representatives from, and accountable to, a Northern Ireland Assembly and the Irish Parliament, to deal with matters designated by the two Governments in the first instance in agreement with the parties;

• describe ways in which such a body could work with executive, harmonising or consultative functions, by way of authority delegated to its members by the Assembly;

• envisage that all decisions within the North/South body would be by agreement between the two sides;

• set out criteria for the designation of functions, and suggest a range of functions that might be designated from the outset, for agreement with the parties;

• envisage the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Irish Parliament being able, by agreement, to designate further functions or to move functions already designated between the three categories;

• envisage that the body will have an important role, in consultation with the two Governments, in developing an agreed approach for the whole island in respect of the challenges and opportunities of the European Union;

• envisage a Parliamentary forum, with representatives from new Northern Ireland institutions and the Irish Parliament, to consider matters of mutual interest;

• envisage a new and more broadly based Agreement between the British and Irish Governments to develop and extend co-operation;

• envisage a standing Intergovernmental Conference which would consider matters of mutual interest, but not those transferred to new political institutions in Northern Ireland;

• envisage that representatives of agreed political institutions in Northern Ireland may be formally associated with the work of the Conference;

• provide for a complementary undertaking by both Governments to ensure protection for specified civil, political, social and cultural rights.

These proposals do not provide for joint authority by the British and Irish Governments over Northern Ireland. They do not predetermine any outcome to the Talks process. Agreement by the parties, and then by the people, is the key.

Copies of the full text of both documents for discussion are available from British Information Services.