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ST ANDREWS AGREEMENT

As a result of all-party talks in St Andrews, Scotland the British and Irish governments outlined a proposed agreement and put it to the political parties on Friday 13 October 2006 as a means of establishing a path back to devolved government. All parties agreed to submit their responses to the deal by 10 November, after consultation with their members.

The Agreement focusses on four main issues: power sharing; policing; human rights and a financial package for a newly restored executive. At its core it ties the need for an inclusive power-sharing executive with an all-party commitment to policing and the rule of law. It also outlines provision for a North-South Parliamentary Forum, a forum on a Bill of Rights and irish language legislation.

The Agreement provides greater cross-party ministerial accountability, with support needed from both sides of the community on issues of public importance. For the future of Northern Ireland’s economy all political parties will work with the two Governments in establishing a platform for long-term economic stability and the distribution of any financial package will be the preserve of the Assembly and its elected representatives.

The Agreement helped establish a path towards devolution with power restored on 8 May 2007.

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