Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland Establishing the Independent Reporting Commission

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Country/entity: Ireland
United Kingdom
Northern Ireland
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland Establishing the Independent Reporting Commission
Date: 13 Sep 2016
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Interstate/intrastate conflict(s)
Northern Ireland Conflict (1968 - 1998)
Commonly referred to as ‘the Troubles’, the most recent conflict over the territory of Northern Ireland can be framed as beginning in 1968 and ending with the Belfast Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement) in 1998. While the genesis of the conflict was closely related to pressures for the state to reform with relation to discrimination against the (minority) Catholic population, the core issue of the conflict as it proceeded was the constitutional status of Northern Ireland, which was contested between the unionist/loyalist (mostly Protestant) majority, who wanted the territory to remain as part of the United Kingdom, and the nationalist/republican (mostly Catholic) minority, whose goal was to unite the six provincial counties with the Republic of Ireland. The thirty years prior to the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement were marked by inter-communal violence, active paramilitary groups, and the deployment of the British army in the province. Mediation by international actors, and dialogue between the British and Irish governments, and between the IRA and its representatives and the British Government eventually resulted in a ceasefire respected by the majority of combatants. Talks led to the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement which established a power-sharing system of governance between nationalist and unionist communities.
Stage: Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Northern Ireland peace process
Parties: For the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: James Brokenshire
For the Government of Ireland: Charles Flanagan
Third parties: -
Description: This short agreement sets up an Independent Reporting Commission, with a view to promoting progress towards ending paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland, as provided for by previous agreements, particularly the 'A Fresh Start, The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan'.

Agreement document: UK_IE_160913_AgreementEstablishingIndependentReportingCommission.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 3, Article 5
In carrying out its functions as described in Article 4 of this Agreement the Commission shall consult:...
(c) in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, statutory agencies, local councils, communities and civic society organisations.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: Page 1, Untitled preamble
...Reiterating their commitment to work collectively to achieve a society free of paramilitarism, including within the context of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Strategy to End Paramilitarism (hereafter referred to as “the Executive’s Strategy”), by tackling all paramilitary activity and associated criminality and supporting the rule of law, the PSNI and the criminal justice system;...
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: Page 1, Untitled preamble
...Reiterating their commitment to work collectively to achieve a society free of paramilitarism, including within the context of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Strategy to End Paramilitarism (hereafter referred to as “the Executive’s Strategy”), by tackling all paramilitary activity and associated criminality and supporting the rule of law, the PSNI and the criminal justice system;...

Page 3, Article 5
In carrying out its functions as described in Article 4 of this Agreement the Commission shall consult:...
(c) in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, statutory agencies, local councils, communities and civic society organisations.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: [Summary: The agreement in its entirety provides for establishing an Independent Reporting Commission on progress towards ending paramilitary activity connected to Northern Ireland]

Page 1, Untitled preamble
...Reiterating their commitment to work collectively to achieve a society free of paramilitarism, including within the context of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Strategy to End Paramilitarism (hereafter referred to as “the Executive’s Strategy”), by tackling all paramilitary activity and associated criminality and supporting the rule of law, the PSNI and the criminal justice system;...

Page 1, Untitled preamble
...Having decided to establish an independent international commission to report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland and to report on and inform the implementation of the Executive’s Strategy;...

Page 1, Article 1
The Independent Reporting Commission (hereafter referred to as “the Commission”) is hereby established by the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereafter “the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom”) in accordance with this Agreement.

Page 2, Article 2
(1) The Commission shall be independent in the performance of its functions.
(2) The Commission shall have the legal capacity of a body corporate.

Page 2, Article 3
The objective of the Commission is to carry out the functions as described in Article 4 of this Agreement with a view to promoting progress towards ending paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland, and supporting long term peace and stability in society and stable and inclusive devolved Government in Northern Ireland.

Page 2, Article 4, (1)
(1) In relation to the remaining threat of paramilitary activity, in particular from
those paramilitary groups declared to be on ceasefire, the Commission shall:
(a) report on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland; and
(b) report on the implementation of the relevant measures of the Government of Ireland, the Government of the United Kingdom, and the Northern Ireland Executive, including the Executive’s Strategy.

Page 2, Article 4, (2)
The Commission shall report annually to the Government of Ireland, the Government of the United Kingdom and the Northern Ireland Executive. The Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom may also jointly request reports on such further occasions as required. The Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom shall publish the reports of the Commission.

Page 2, Article 4, (3)
The Commission, in its reports, may make recommendations to the Northern Ireland Executive in order to inform future Programme for Government priorities and commitments through to 2021.

Page 3, Article 5
In carrying out its functions as described in Article 4 of this Agreement the Commission shall consult:
(a) the Government of Ireland and relevant law enforcement agencies;
(b) the Government of the United Kingdom and relevant law enforcement agencies; and
(c) in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, statutory agencies, local councils, communities and civic society organisations.

Page 3, Article 6
The members of the Commission, who shall include in their number persons of international standing, shall be appointed and serve on terms and conditions decided by the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom, as follows:
(a) one member shall be nominated by the Government of Ireland;
(b) one member shall be nominated by the Government of the United Kingdom;
(c) two members shall be nominated by the Northern Ireland Executive.

[Summary: Articles 7-12 provide for practical arrangements of the Commission's workings, such as financial matters, immunities, and premises, including termination of the Commission]
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: United Kingdom Government
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/554474/Ireland_1_2016_IRC_WEB.pdf

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE

GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ESTABLISHING THE INDEPENDENT REPORTING COMMISSION

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland:

Recalling the agreement reached in multi-party negotiations and annexed to the Agreement signed by both Governments on 10 April 1998 (the Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland done at Belfast on 10 April 1998);

Recalling subsequent agreements, including the St. Andrew’s Agreement, the Hillsborough Agreement devolving policing and justice powers, the Stormont House Agreement and the agreement reached on 17 November 2015, “A Fresh Start, The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan”;

Reiterating their commitment to work collectively to achieve a society free of paramilitarism, including within the context of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Strategy to End Paramilitarism (hereafter referred to as “the Executive’s Strategy”), by tackling all paramilitary activity and associated criminality and supporting the rule of law, the PSNI and the criminal justice system;

Having decided to establish an independent international commission to report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland and to report on and inform the implementation of the Executive’s Strategy;

HAVE AGREED as follows:

ARTICLE 1

The Independent Reporting Commission (hereafter referred to as “the Commission”) is hereby established by the Government of Ireland and the

Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereafter “the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom”) in accordance with this Agreement.

ARTICLE 2

(1) The Commission shall be independent in the performance of its functions.

(2) The Commission shall have the legal capacity of a body corporate.

ARTICLE 3

The objective of the Commission is to carry out the functions as described in Article 4 of this Agreement with a view to promoting progress towards ending paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland, and supporting long term peace and stability in society and stable and inclusive devolved Government in Northern Ireland.

ARTICLE 4

(1) In relation to the remaining threat of paramilitary activity, in particular from those paramilitary groups declared to be on ceasefire, the Commission shall:

(a) report on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland;

and

(b) report on the implementation of the relevant measures of the Government of Ireland, the Government of the United Kingdom, and the Northern Ireland Executive, including the Executive’s Strategy.

(2) The Commission shall report annually to the Government of Ireland, the Government of the United Kingdom and the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom may also jointly request reports on such further occasions as required.

The Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom shall publish the reports of the Commission.

(3) The Commission, in its reports, may make recommendations to the Northern Ireland Executive in order to inform future Programme for Government priorities and commitments through to 2021.

ARTICLE 5

In carrying out its functions as described in Article 4 of this Agreement the Commission shall consult:

(a) the Government of Ireland and relevant law enforcement agencies;

(b) the Government of the United Kingdom and relevant law enforcement agencies;

and

(c) in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, statutory agencies, local councils, communities and civic society organisations.

ARTICLE 6

The members of the Commission, who shall include in their number persons of international standing, shall be appointed and serve on terms and conditions decided by the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom, as follows:

(a) one member shall be nominated by the Government of Ireland;

(b) one member shall be nominated by the Government of the United Kingdom;

ARTICLE 7

(1) The Commission, its members, staff, property and premises, and any agents of, or persons carrying out work for or giving advice to, the Commission shall have such privileges, immunities and inviolabilities as may be conferred or provided by the relevant legislation of Ireland and of the United Kingdom.

(2) That legislation shall, in particular, provide for immunity from suit and legal process, and the inviolability of the Commission archive, but may provide for the Commission to waive such immunities.

ARTICLE 8

Such moneys, premises, facilities and services as may be necessary for the proper functioning of the Commission shall be provided by the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom on a basis to be determined by them.

ARTICLE 9

(1) No information shall be disclosed by, or on behalf of, the Commission in fulfilment of its functions under Article 4 except by decision of the Commission.

(2) Members of the Commission, staff of the Commission, persons carrying out work for or giving advice to the Commission and agents of the Commission shall, in accordance with the relevant legislation of Ireland and of the United Kingdom, be bound not to disclose any information obtained in the course of the performance of their functions under Article 4 as such members, persons or agents unless such disclosure is authorised by the Commission.

Communication of such information to each other shall not be considered disclosure for the purposes of this Article.

(3) The Commission shall not do anything in carrying out its functions which might;

(a) put at risk the safety or life of any person;

(b) prejudice the national security interests of Ireland or of the United Kingdom;

(d) have a prejudicial effect on the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of crime.

(4) Legislation in Ireland and in the United Kingdom may set out arrangements under which the Government of Ireland or the Government of the United Kingdom, respectively, may assist the Commission in meeting its obligations set out in Article 9(3).

ARTICLE 10

The Commission shall keep proper accounts and proper records of all moneys received or expended by it and shall, at the joint request of the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom, appoint auditors who shall audit the accounts of the Commission.

The reports of the auditors shall be submitted to both the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom.

ARTICLE 11

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date on which the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom exchange notifications of completion of any procedures required by their law for entry into force of the Agreement.

ARTICLE 12

This Agreement shall continue in force until terminated by mutual agreement of the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom and thereafter shall cease to have effect save in so far as and to the extent necessary for meeting any liabilities or disposing in an orderly manner of any remaining assets of the Commission and for the destruction by the Commission of all information received by it in connection with the performance of its functions under Article 4 of this Agreement and any records it holds relating to such information.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

DONE at Dublin in two originals on the thirteenth day of September 2016.

For the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:

JAMES BROKENSHIRE

For the Government of Ireland:

CHARLES FLANAGAN