Direct Rule
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Direct rule is the term given to the running of the government of Northern Ireland directly from Westminster. Although day-to-day matters are still handled by government departments within Northern Ireland itself, major policy is determined by the British Government's Northern Ireland Office, under the direction of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and legislation is introduced, amended, or repealed by means of order in council (effectively, rule by decree).
Direct rule was originally introduced on March 30, 1972 under the terms of the UK's Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972, which also suspended the Parliament of Northern Ireland ("Stormont").
The British Government has sought to establish a Northern Ireland Assembly in 1973 (under the Sunningdale Agreement; this was brought down by Unionist action), 1982 (this time boycotted by Nationalists), and more recently under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The intention in principle has been that the Assembly would take over the political governance of Northern Ireland, and that direct rule would thus come to an end. The results of the Good Friday Agreement have been the most successful so far at achieving this; however, the Assembly was nevertheless suspended (and direct rule re-imposed) for over three months in 2000, twice briefly in 2001, and again from 2002 to date.
Direct rule is objected to by many in Northern Ireland, since the system is inherently undemocratic; neither the people of Northern Ireland nor their representatives are involved in political decision-making.
