In 1998, North Ireland aimed to end half a century of violence between Catholics and Protestants by signing the Good Friday Agreement. In this legislation, also agreed to by the British, the main objective was to facilitate peace agreements between North Ireland's primary religious sects. However, it also began to restore relations between Ireland and the rest of the world.
To accomplish this task within Ireland a third-party, neutral group was created. Known as the North-South Ministerial Council, this group was charged with controlling twelve subject areas, that if run correctly would have a mutually beneficial effect on both nations. Some departments were to be aided by the committee while others were to be unilaterally controlled. For example, food safety, special EU programs, and international trade are controlled entirely by the Ministerial Council, while agriculture, tourism, and educational sectors are controlled by each country independently, but are advised upon by the council. Through these this buffer group, Ireland has began to restore its singular national identity. At last the Irish have once again abandoned civil fighting and adopted the view that together North Ireland and The Republic of Ireland are part of a greater, general Ireland.
Ireland and Britain have also began to create a more peaceful relationship as compared to their shared history marred by violence. This was started with the formation of the East-West Council, and the British-Irish International Conference. Its jobs are inherently similar to that of the North-South Ministerial Council, except it has no actual legislative power. The sole purpose of this council is to promote harmonious cooperation between both of the Irelands, and all countries on the British Isles. In addition, each year a British-Irish intergovernmental conference is held, where the leaders of the nations involved touch base and discuss issues of mutual concern and interest. These measures have eliminated most of the political tension that was formed by British Imperialism. In fact they have worked so well that in 2011 the Queen of England, once a symbol of imperial power, visited Ireland on a peaceful trip for the first time in her now sixty year reign.
To accomplish this task within Ireland a third-party, neutral group was created. Known as the North-South Ministerial Council, this group was charged with controlling twelve subject areas, that if run correctly would have a mutually beneficial effect on both nations. Some departments were to be aided by the committee while others were to be unilaterally controlled. For example, food safety, special EU programs, and international trade are controlled entirely by the Ministerial Council, while agriculture, tourism, and educational sectors are controlled by each country independently, but are advised upon by the council. Through these this buffer group, Ireland has began to restore its singular national identity. At last the Irish have once again abandoned civil fighting and adopted the view that together North Ireland and The Republic of Ireland are part of a greater, general Ireland.
Ireland and Britain have also began to create a more peaceful relationship as compared to their shared history marred by violence. This was started with the formation of the East-West Council, and the British-Irish International Conference. Its jobs are inherently similar to that of the North-South Ministerial Council, except it has no actual legislative power. The sole purpose of this council is to promote harmonious cooperation between both of the Irelands, and all countries on the British Isles. In addition, each year a British-Irish intergovernmental conference is held, where the leaders of the nations involved touch base and discuss issues of mutual concern and interest. These measures have eliminated most of the political tension that was formed by British Imperialism. In fact they have worked so well that in 2011 the Queen of England, once a symbol of imperial power, visited Ireland on a peaceful trip for the first time in her now sixty year reign.
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