1. The GFA Debate Election of Northern Ireland Assembly
Prisoner release programme
Arms decommissioning
North-South Ministerial council (allowing ministers from Dublin & Belfast to co-operate on and co ordinate policy)
RUC reform
Referendum on the terms

2. The Good Friday Agreement
Any agreement had to fulfil 3 Roles:
It had to determine an acceptable form of Power-sharing in which both communities would be fairly and proportionally represented
Retain and Legitimise the link with Britain
Define an acceptable Role for the Republic of Ireland

3. 1. Acceptable form of Power sharing
Election of Northern Ireland Assembly
108 MLA’s (Member of the Legislative assembly)
Elected by STV (Single Transferrable Vote) A form of PR (PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION) based on a CONSTITUENCY
Ministerial Positions in the Executive Committee were to be based on the Electoral strength of the Parties.

4. 2. Links with Britain
The British Irish Council (BIC) or Council of the Isles showing commitment on British connection
‘Consent’ was a major foundation of the Agreement helping to dampen Unionist fears
Unionist content

5. 3. Links with Republic of Ireland
The Irish Government dropped their claims to Northern Ireland stated in Articles 2 & 3 of the Irish Constitution
This helped allay Unionist fears
North South Ministerial Council established – to Co Ordinate & co operate on policy
Unionist content
Nationalist content

6. OTHER ISSUES

7. Prisoner Release Programme
Many prisoners are released ‘On Licence’ as part of the Agreement
This angers many Unionists especially when new intimidation and terrorist activity re-occur

8. RUC REFORM
Patten Commission led by last Governor of Hong Kong recommends huge change
Recruitment is to be much more proportional
Name is to change to PSNI
Badge is also to be dropped
RUC is given the George Cross medal to help heal the hurt

9. ARMS DECOMMISSIONING A huge problem to be overcome
An independent Arms Review Body was set up under American Senator George Mitchell to get rid of IRA (and potentially Loyalist) weapons

10. 71% Yes vote for Good Friday Agreement 81% turnout
Referendum (1998)
71% Yes vote for Good Friday Agreement
81% turnout
Slim majority of unionists & large majority of nationalists backed referendum

11. How is the N.I. assembly organised?
Elected N.I. Assembly, 108 members with legislative powers elected by STV

12. How is the N.I. assembly organised?
Governing executive committee (12 ministers headed by First /Deputy First Minister)
Ministerial posts allocated on PR basis according to party strength in assembly
David Trimble (UUP) became first minister, Seamus Mallon deputy (SDLP), Sinn Fein won 2 executive ministry posts