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10/04/2013
NI 'Most Difficult Year' In Decade
The Northern Ireland peace process has had it's most difficult year for a decade.
This was the claim made by a new report from the Community Relations Council.
Despite problems with violent union flag protests and an upsurge in dissident republican activity, the report notes: "Street demonstrations, although determined and protracted, were not on the scale of the Drumcree disturbances of the 1990s or the protests against the Anglo-Irish Agreement in the 1980s.
"The activities of dissident republicans...have not succeeded in disrupting the political consensus...and are not on the scale of dissident violence a decade ago."
The Report’s author, Dr Paul Nolan said: "The challenges thrown up over the past year are the sort of upsets that all peace processes must face. The 2011 census shows that in Northern Ireland, as in many conflict societies, it is the long slow demographic shifts that most radically alter the political landscape."
The Report speaks of a "demographic equilibrium" between Protestants and Catholics, with no single community holding more than a 50% share.
"This," Dr Nolan says, "is now a society made up of minorities."
While 48% of the population are from a Protestant background, only 40% describe themselves as British. Similarly, of the 45% from a Catholic background, only 25% describe themselves as Irish. The category 'Northern Irish' now accounts for 21% of the population.
The report shows Northern Ireland has been moving towards a "more tolerant and peaceful society", as residential segregation continues to decline.
A decade ago, over 50% of the population lived in single identity communities. This has now dropped to just 37.5 per cent.
The amount of shared space in neutral urban centres has been increased by investment in large-scale arts, conference and leisure spaces, leading to an "increased sense of security in the community at large can be seen in the falling-off in the overall level of crime."
11.2% of households and their occupants were victims of a crime in 2011/12 – close to half the rate in England and Wales.
The Report also says Northern Ireland is becoming more accepting of gay rights.
But, it warns: "These positive developments have not found expression at the political level.
"In the past year the failure to find compromises on contested issues means that the Assembly has faltered as a political chamber. The legislative programme, which had increased its tempo in 2011, lost that impetus on 2012 when only five bills were enacted.
"It is now ten years since the document A Shared Future was put out for consultation, and the continuing failure to produce a policy framework on these difficult issues has left the society vulnerable to the shocks delivered by political incidents and events."
(IT/CD)
This was the claim made by a new report from the Community Relations Council.
Despite problems with violent union flag protests and an upsurge in dissident republican activity, the report notes: "Street demonstrations, although determined and protracted, were not on the scale of the Drumcree disturbances of the 1990s or the protests against the Anglo-Irish Agreement in the 1980s.
"The activities of dissident republicans...have not succeeded in disrupting the political consensus...and are not on the scale of dissident violence a decade ago."
The Report’s author, Dr Paul Nolan said: "The challenges thrown up over the past year are the sort of upsets that all peace processes must face. The 2011 census shows that in Northern Ireland, as in many conflict societies, it is the long slow demographic shifts that most radically alter the political landscape."
The Report speaks of a "demographic equilibrium" between Protestants and Catholics, with no single community holding more than a 50% share.
"This," Dr Nolan says, "is now a society made up of minorities."
While 48% of the population are from a Protestant background, only 40% describe themselves as British. Similarly, of the 45% from a Catholic background, only 25% describe themselves as Irish. The category 'Northern Irish' now accounts for 21% of the population.
The report shows Northern Ireland has been moving towards a "more tolerant and peaceful society", as residential segregation continues to decline.
A decade ago, over 50% of the population lived in single identity communities. This has now dropped to just 37.5 per cent.
The amount of shared space in neutral urban centres has been increased by investment in large-scale arts, conference and leisure spaces, leading to an "increased sense of security in the community at large can be seen in the falling-off in the overall level of crime."
11.2% of households and their occupants were victims of a crime in 2011/12 – close to half the rate in England and Wales.
The Report also says Northern Ireland is becoming more accepting of gay rights.
But, it warns: "These positive developments have not found expression at the political level.
"In the past year the failure to find compromises on contested issues means that the Assembly has faltered as a political chamber. The legislative programme, which had increased its tempo in 2011, lost that impetus on 2012 when only five bills were enacted.
"It is now ten years since the document A Shared Future was put out for consultation, and the continuing failure to produce a policy framework on these difficult issues has left the society vulnerable to the shocks delivered by political incidents and events."
(IT/CD)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
