Northern Ireland and the European Union: the internal dynamics

Abstract

This chapter traces the ways in which Northern Ireland’s devolved administration has adapted at the domestic level to new responsibilities vis-à-vis the EU. An overview of key administrative developments provides a basis for determining the ways in which the introduction of devolution has changed how Northern Ireland is governed. This includes an examination of the framework for relations between the Northern Ireland administration and UK central government. Consideration is also given to the role of the Northern Ireland Executive, the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Northern Ireland Assembly. The changes to the Northern Ireland institutional landscape are judged to have been important for the manner and impact of Northern Ireland’s engagement with the EU. The developments may not be categorised as an explicit example of multi-level governance in action, but nevertheless, progress in advancing Northern Ireland’s EU agenda is evident.