UK Government and Northern Ireland

Abstract

This chapter describes the role, powers and operation of the UK Government over Northern Ireland matters, as it functions alongside devolved government. The analysis here focuses on the overall sovereignty and legislative power of the UK Government; the responsibility of the UK Government for reserved and excepted matters under the devolution settlement and the Northern Ireland Act 1998; and financial functions. The exercise of the powers of UK Government institutions is described, including the role of the Secretary of State and the Northern Ireland Office, and that of the UK Parliament and its committees in their legislative and scrutiny roles over non-devolved matters. The area of overlapping powers and areas of collaboration are noted, for example, in those covering welfare reform, vehicle licensing, human rights and the Parades Commission. The operation of a number of UK government departments in Northern Ireland, staffed by UK home civil servants, is also described. In addition, consideration is given to the mechanism for the introduction of Direct Rule by Westminster over Northern Ireland and, finally, the limited potential for the MLG 2 type of governance at this level is discussed.