1998 Good Friday Agreement: What is it and who signed it? Here’s all you need to know

The 1998 departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union warranted the Good Friday Agreement between the United Kingdom and The Republic of Ireland. A formal agreement was signed by the then British Prime Minister, Tony Blair and The Republic of Ireland’s Prime Minister Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

The Good Friday Agreement or the Belfast Agreement was to end the violence between the people who joined the United Kingdom or the Unionists and the Nationalists or people who wanted to be a part of Ireland and not join Great Britain. This violence had been named the “Troubles.”

Why were they called the “Troubles”?

Northern Ireland was restricted in 1921 and remained a part of the United Kingdom, while the remaining portion of Ireland became the Republic of Ireland and was independent.


The local populace of Northern Ireland became divided as a result, and people killed each other for it. They threw bombs at each other and shot at each other. One group who wanted Northern Ireland to be a part of the Republic of Ireland called themselves the “Nationalists,” and those who wished to remain with the UK were called Unionists. Since the 1960s, The UVF, or ‘Ulster Volunteer Force,’ represented the Unionists and fought against the IRA (Irish Republican Army). The British troops were sent into Northern Ireland in 1969. The “Troubles” went on for 30 years since then, and finally, in 1998, they signed the Good Friday Agreement.

The Agreement sought the support of groups to retain peace in Northern Ireland. It was based on the principle of cooperation between communities. A joint government was formed, having representatives from both sides bring about a government and administer the province.

What is devolution

A new parliament comprising Unionists and Nationalists set up the Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont in Belfast. The Agreement is also about living in peace and the rights of ordinary people.

The salient points of the Agreement are as follows:

• Northern Ireland remains a part of the UK and can only become a part of the Republic of Ireland if the majority Northern Ireland populace votes for it.

• People born in Northern Ireland can have dual citizenship of the Republic of Ireland or British citizenship.

• Total surrender of all weapons from both sides.

• People who had been jailed for violence were released.

• The UK government agreed to scale back its troops and, in some parts, ultimately. In its place, they aimed for everyday security arrangements.

After Brexit, Northern Ireland was the only part of Britain that shared a border with the European Union, The Republic of Ireland. This demanded security checks for all goods from England, Scotland and Wales.

When the Troubles were on, people crossing the border had to pass British security checks. The army set up watch towers on hilltops.

The Agreement didn’t mention the border, but all security infrastructure had to be removed.

The Proposal:

All goods entering Northern Ireland must be compliant with EU rules. The Sinn Fein party, which believes in joining with the Republic of Ireland, also promotes the existence and implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. However, the Unionists, especially from Northern Ireland, like the DUP or Democratic Unionist Party, say that the Agreement separates them from Great Britain.

Transportation and segregation of goods

Current Method: Goods are checked when arriving at any Northern Ireland port. Once they are checked, they can be moved into the Republic of Ireland.

The new plan by the UK: The goods are segregated into two different lanes. (1) Green Lane and (2) Red Lane.

Green is for Northern Ireland, which needs not to be checked, and red is for The Republic of Ireland, which needs to be checked.

For the government formed for Northern Ireland, the DUP refused to be a part of it unless its issues were addressed.

Finally, in 2005, the first joint government was formed, and Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley of the Sein Fein and DUP respectively shared power as Deputy First Minister (DUP) and First Minister (Sinn Fein). Peace has prevailed since then.

EU and the UK are trying to resolve their trade issues.

FAQs:

1. How many people died during the Troubles?
   3500
2. What is the total population of Northern Ireland?
   1.9 million