Balanced constitutional change, based on commitment to
the principle
of consent in all its aspects by both British and Irish
Governments, to
include both changes to the Irish Constitution and to
British
constitutional legislation.
Democratically elected institutions in Northern Ireland,
to include a
Northern Ireland Assembly, elected by a system of proportional
representation, exercising devolved executive and legislative
responsibility over at least the responsibilities of
the six Northern
Ireland Departments, and with provisions to ensure that
all sections
of the community can participate and work together successfully
in the
operation of these institutions and that all sections
of the community
are protected.
A new British-Irish Agreement to replace the existing
Anglo-Irish
Agreement and help establish close co-operation and enhance
relationships, embracing:
An intergovernmental Council to deal with the totality
of
relationships, to include representatives of the British
and Irish
Governments, the Northern Ireland Administration and
the devolved
institutions in Scotland and Wales, with meeting twice
a year at Summit
level.
A North/South Ministerial Council to bring together those
with
executive responsibilities in Northern Ireland and the
Irish Government
in particular areas. Each side will consult, so-operate
and take
decisions on matters of mutual interest within the mandate
of, and
accountable to, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the
Oireachtas
respectively. All decisions will be by agreement between
the two sides,
North and South.
Suitable implementation bodies and mechanisms for policies
agreed by
the North/South Council in meaningful areas and at an
all-island level.
Standing intergovernmental machinery between the Irish
and British
Governments, covering issues of mutual interest, including
non-devolved issues for Northern Ireland, when representatives
of the
Northern Ireland Administration would be involved. Provision
to
safeguard the rights of both communities in Northern
Ireland, through
arrangements for the comprehensive protection of fundamental
human,
civil, political, social , economic and cultural rights,
including a
Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland supplementing the
provisions of the
European Convention and to achieve full respect for the
principles of
equity of treatment and freedom from discrimination,
and the cultural
identity and ethos of both communities. Appropriate steps
to ensure an
equivalent level of protection in the Republic.
Effective and practical measures to establish and consolidate
an
acceptable peaceful society, dealing with issues such
as prisoners,
security in all its aspects, policing and decommissioning
of weapons.
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