Guide Note

Northern Ireland devolution refers to Northern Ireland returning to self-government through a power-sharing arrangement between Sinn Fein and the DUP. The Protestant DUP agenda has included keeping Northern Ireland as a part of the United Kingdom, while the Catholic Sinn Fein sect has pushed for Northern Ireland to unite with the Ireland. The agreement is the result of the first face-to-face talks between the two groups, as they had previously only negotiated via third parties.

Fast Facts

1. Democratic Unionist Party Founded: 1971
2. DUP political orientation: Right-wing
3. DUP ideology:
   1. Ulster Unionism
   2. Protestantism
   3. Conservatism
4. Sinn Fein Founded: 1970
5. Sinn Fein political orientation: Left-wing
6. Sinn Fein ideology:
   1. Irish Republicanism
   2. Democratic Socialism

1. Ian Paisley (DUP Leader)
2. Gerry Adams (Sinn Fein Leader)
3. Mark Durkan (SLDP Leader)
4. Sir Reg Empey (Ulster Unionist Leader)
5. David Ford (Alliance Party Leader)
6. Tony Blair (British Prime Minister)
7. Bertie Ahern (Irish Prime Minister)
8. Peter Hain (Northern Ireland Secretary)