The Cross-Border Relationship, 1972–95

Abstract

The imposition of Direct Rule heralded a new era in the cross-border relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Although it was meant to be a temporary measure (Kenny, 1986, p. 29), laying the basis for acceptable devolved government (Bloomfield, 1986, p. 176), Direct Rule provided the context for the Irish/Northern Irish cross-border relationship from its imposition to the present date. Since 1972, the government of Northern Ireland has been ‘carried out largely through the office of the Secretary of State presiding through the NIC (Northern Ireland Office) (O’Leary and McGarry, 1993, p. 184). The Secretary of State is drawn from the British Cabinet and has always been an MP from one of the main British parties, thus, ‘the imposition of Direct Rule in March 1972 removed all vestiges of power from the majority community’ (Arthur, 1986, p. 171) in Northern Ireland. While policy implementation and policy advice were still carried out by the Belfast civil service, the removal of Northern Irish policy-making power altered the framework of Northern Irish politics. Gradually, Anglo-Irish intergovernmentalism characterised British policy towards Northern Ireland