The case for meaningful devolution

The case for meaningful devolution
Seamus Close
28 March 2002

With a Talks Agreement now within sight despite all the hurdles, there is every chance that devolved government will return to Northern Ireland within the near future.

This will carry enormous implications for how this region is governed. Alliance firmly believes that the new Assembly must have meaningful legislative powers, including the ability to vary tax, in addition to the necessary administrative powers.

Alliance believes that decisions should be taken as close to the people affected as possible. Democratically accountable local politicians can be much more sensitive to the needs of a region than a distant national government.

We have had devolution before in Northern Ireland. Stormont failed, not because devolution was in itself wrong, but because only one section of our community had access to power and responsibility. Any new Assembly will have power-sharing at its core.

Our choice

The essential choice we face in Northern Ireland is between on the one hand only administrative powers or on the other hand full legislative powers.

Under the first, the new Assembly would do little more than implement more sensitively decisions that have been taken elsewhere. Our Assembly would be little more than a glorified District Council.

In the latter, we would be able to directly influence the future of their region. Certain responsibilities would remain with Westminster. However, areas such as Health, Education, Agriculture, Economic Development, the Environment, Finance and Personnel, and possibly policing would be responsibilities of the Assembly. Our politicians would not only take administrative decisions, but have the power to pass legislation that better reflects the wishes of the local population.

The past

It is worth recalling what the current system of Direct Rule entails. Whenever Stormont was abolished, Northern Ireland did not revert back to being ruled like any other part of the United Kingdom.

Instead, decisions are taken by unaccountable government ministers. Legislation is passed through "Orders in Council" rather than normal parliamentary procedures. In a sense, there always has been the presumption that devolved powers would be restored to Northern Ireland.

Under 'direct rule', the British Government has done many good things for Northern Ireland. They have implemented many reforms necessary to take account of a divided society and have continued to seek a political agreement.

But by their very nature, the Government takes an overall national perspective to their decisions. This does not always work to our advantage in Northern Ireland.

The nation-state is losing some of its dominance within a globalising world. National governments can no longer can provide the answers to all of society’s problems. Certain functions are increasingly exercised at the European or international level. At the same time, many other powers are increasingly being devolved down to regional governments.

Regional competition

With regional government becoming the norm in both UK and the rest of Europe, Northern Ireland is going to be in competition with other regions, particularly both Scotland and Wales.

The forthcoming political agreement will address new North-South arrangements. Already the Republic of Ireland has considerable advantages over Northern Ireland. For example, it is able to offer incentives to investors based on tax rates and stability, while Northern Ireland can only compete on the less efficient basis of subsidies.

Relations with the South will include both co-operation but will also feature areas of intense competition. There is a danger that there could be a very uneven relationship between a region on the one hand and an independent state (albeit within the European Union) on the other.

Thus the stronger the powers given to any Northern Ireland Assembly, the more balanced and workable this new relationship will be.

Tax-varying powers

The case for meaningful powers is therefore very strong. However, legislative powers are greatly enhanced with the ability to vary tax. The canny Scots have already voted for these powers to go with their strong version of devolution.

No one is suggesting that Northern Ireland should be left to its support itself. It will still be dependent upon a subvention from the UK Exchequer, just like Scotland, Wales and parts of England. The Government has a duty to ensure parity throughout the UK in areas such as social security benefits.

The ability to vary taxes will allow the preferences of people at a regional level to be more fully respected, they could concentrate resources on the services that are the bigger priorities for them. Do we want to have a superior education system in Northern Ireland? If so are we prepared to consider raising the necessary additional finance? Tax-varying powers gives us this option; it would be up to us to decide whether to use it. Both politicians and people will have a better appreciation of the costs of services, and the difficult decisions involved in allocating scarce resources.

Devolution is not going to be a panacea for every problem in Northern Ireland. But it will allow local people to take on more responsibility for shaping their future.

Seamus Close is Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party.

Close reflects on American visit

AS details of the US President’s second visit to Ireland emerged last week, the Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party was preparing to visit one of Mr. Clinton’s favourite states.

For Lisburn councillor Seamus Close, accompanied by fellow councillor Richard Good and South Down Alliance representative Dr. Anne-Marie Cunningham, jetted off to Boston’s Harvard University on July 18 to participate in a week long conference on conflict resolution.

The conference - entitled ‘The New Political Architecture: A Workshop for Leaders from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain’ - was organised by the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Foundation for Civil Society.

And apart from the attendance of Mr. Close, the Lagan Valley constituency was also represented by Democratic Unionist Party councillor Edwin Poots and the Ulster Democratic Party’s Gary McMichael.

A wide range of issues associated with the conflict in Northern Ireland - which Mr. Close described as “extremely useful” - were discussed at length during a series of workshop sessions, lectures and seminars.

However, although the conference was in “no way” linked to the workings of the new shadow assembly, Mr. Close said it was good to see a “great level of enthusiasm” from the Northern Ireland politicians.

“I think that by moving our politicians away from the political cauldron of Northern Ireland - and into a different political environment - we have the opportunity to recognise each other as human beings,” explained the shadow assemblyman.

“Even though my visit to Harvard was not connected to the workings of the new assembly, it was still good to see so many of our politicians who, I believe, were genuinely interested in what the conference had to offer.

“We met with political activists from around the world and I believe we gained some valuable experiences that we can use in relation to our own situation.

“I was very pleased with the way things went at Harvard and I welcome any attempts to address the issue of conflict resolution in Northern Ireland,” he added.

Alliance condemns Lisburn bomb

Alliance Deputy Leader and Lisburn Councillor Seamus Close has condemned those who planted the car bomb in Lisburn this afternoon.

Seamus Close said:

“We must all be thankful that this device was dealt with safely, saving the people who live and work in Lisburn from danger.

“The planting of this bomb is a clear demonstration that there are those within our society who remain intent on following an agenda of death and destruction. These people are terrified that Northern Ireland might be beginning to move towards a future where the only thing they offer - a future without hope - is rejected and isolated.

“The best way to bend them a message that Northern Ireland does want a future with hope is to endorse the Agreement in the May 22 Referendum.

"Don't repeat Sunningdale mistake": Alderdice

Alliance Leader, Lord Alderdice, Deputy Leader, Seamus Close and former Leader, Oliver Napier, have travelled to Hillsborough this evening to meet the Prime Minister.

On leaving Castle Buildings, the Alliance Leader said:

“I was pleased that the Prime Minister responded positively to our request that he travel urgently to Northern Ireland. The paper presented early this morning was a step backwards rather than forwards in our search for a settlement. The Prime Minister’s decision to come to the Talks has opened the possibility that an agreement could be reached.

“The Governments, and parties to the Talks, must realise that if they push too far in any agreement it will not work. We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of 1974 and 1985 again. History has shown that even if Party Leaders, in the pressure of negotiations, sign up to an agreement, such agreements can collapse under pressure.

“The Prime Minister must learn from the mistakes of the past and help us to reach a realistic agreement by Thursday.”

NOTES:

Oliver Napier, former Alliance Leader was one of the four signatories to the 1973 Sunningdale Agreement which established a power-sharing Assembly in Belfast in 1974. This Agreement subsequently collapsed in the face of unionist pressure.

Close concerned at Andrews' statement

Alliance Deputy Leader, Seamus Close, has expressed concern at reports that David Andrews’ has implied that a referendum may not happen on 22 May. He has called upon Mr Andrews to clarify this matter.

Seamus Close said:

“Today, I have read newspaper reports indicating that David Andrews has implied that a referendum on a political agreement may not happen on 22 May.

“Alliance believes that slippage within the current process could be very dangerous. It is vital that the parties remain committed to working to the already publicised timetable.

“It is vital that Mr Andrews clarifies the Irish Government’s position on the referendum.”

Neeson condemns Portadown attack

Alliance Deputy Leader, Alderman Sean Neeson, has condemned today’s bomb attack in Portadown.

Alderman Neeson said:

“I condemn without reservation this disgraceful attack, which is clearly not only an attack on the homes and livelihoods of ordinary people, but an attack on the integrity of the Talks process.”

Alliance condemns latest murder

Alliance Deputy Leader, Seamus Close, has condemned today’s murder of a man in Dunmurry.

Seamus Close, Lisburn Borough Councillor, said:

“Whatever the circumstances, there is no justification for a single one of the recent murders and shootings. None of the organisations involved have the right to take away human life."

Alliance reacts to Secretary of State's announcement

Alliance Party Deputy Leader Seamus Close has reacted to the announcement by the Secretary of State of an extension to the inquiry into operational procedures at the Maze Prison.

Seamus Close said :

“The Secretary of State has decided to extend the remit of one of her Civil Servants in his investigation into the operational procedures of the Maze Prison. The problem with this approach is that the political decisions governing the running of the prison also need to be looked at. It is these decisions which, when implemented by Civil Servants, have led to the problems in the prison. Civil Servants will not critise the decisions of their political masters. Today’s announcement fails to give the confidence that is needed in such an inquiry. To simply extend the brief given to a civil servant will satisfy no-one”.

Close criticies public expenditure consultation

Alliance Party Deputy Leader Seamus Close has criticsed the continuing lack of opportunity for local political representatives to have an effective input to Government public expenditure plans.

Seamus Close said:

“For some time now we have been asking the Northern Ireland Office to arrange monthly meetings were senior civil servants can exchange first hand with local representatives information about the way Government is thinking and about how money is to be spent local politicians are kept in the dark about future Government Plans, about how the finance system within Government operates in relation to Northern Ireland, and about what costing have been made for various proposals.

“Tomorrow the SOS will announce public expenditure plans, but local politicians, who should be in a position to make informed statements about the plans will not be told in any realistic advance of the announcement.

“It is time that the SOS took seriously her much vaumpted commitment to consulting local politicians.”

Prime Minister's visit to Northern Ireland

Speaking after meeting with the Prime Minister this afternoon, Seamus Close, Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party, said, “The Prime Minister’s visit to Northern Ireland today is a clear demonstration of the government’s determination to move this process forward in a structured and constructive way.

“We stressed the importance of such determination for the vast majority of the citizens of Northern Ireland, who don’t have a particular axe to grind, but who want to see a fair settlement, a settlement that will improve their lives, and the lives of their children.

“We pointed out to the Prime Minister that success in this process is the greatest confidence-building measure available to all of us.”

Note to editors: The Alliance delegation meeting the Prime Minister consisted of Seamus Close (Deputy Leader), Sean Neeson (Chief Whip), Eileen Bell (Party Chair), Steve McBride (Justice and Legal Affairs Spokesperson).

Close slams Paisley's bluster

Seamus Close, deputy leader of the Alliance Party has slammed Ian Paisley for his comments that he would bring down the talks process.

“Dr Paisley should get real and stop his bluster. Years ago this gentleman told us all he would smash Sinn Fein, destroy the Anglo-Irish agreement etc. Now he claims he is going to destroy the present talks process. I have no doubt that he’ll be as successful with the latter as he was with the former.

“Does Dr Paisley not have one constructive thought in his head? Is it all destructive and negative?”

Close welcomes Unionist move

Seamus Close, Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party has welcomed the Unionist decision to re-enter Castle Buildings.

“The arrival of the Ulster Unionist Party at Castle Buildings is an encouraging step which demonstrates progress. This opens the real possibility of us all getting down to substantive talks which is the desire of the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland.”

Close refutes Mowlam's comments

Seamus Close, deputy leader of the Alliance Party has refuted the Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam’s comments that all parties were largely satisfied with responses to questions put to Sinn Fein last night.

“While the Secretary of State, and the Irish Foreign Minister, Mr Ray Burke may claim to be satisfied with Sinn Fein’s responses to questions posed at the plenary session of talks last night, I as Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party would like to make it clear beyond any doubt that neither I nor my party are satisfied with Sinn Fein’s replies on the issue.

“Gerry Adams studiously avoided answering any questions which we repeatedly posed and dodged and weaved like an accomplished ballerina

“For the Secretary of State to allege that his responses were ‘full and comprehensive’ displays a flawed understanding of the meaning of those words and an interpretation with which I would not agree.”