The NI Assembly and Executive websites have extensive menus and search facilities. However the following selection of links may be helpful in alerting researchers to the range of publications available.
Various print holdings of government publications are available on the library shelves. The library catalogue can be searched to identify these materials and some links are provided below.
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Responsiblity for the governance of NI is divided between the devolved NI Assembly at Stormont and the UK Parliament at Westminster. Most social and economic policy is set by the NI Executive, a power-sharing coalition government drawn from the Assembly.
Political power was first devolved to NI with the establishment of the Northern Ireland Parliament in 1921. The introduction of direct rule from Westminster in 1972 was intended as a temporary measure and attempts to restore devolution continued throughout the troubles. A Northern Ireland Assembly met from 1973 to 1974 and formed a brief power-sharing government. This was followed by a second Assembly between 1982 and 1986 which had no legislative powers.
The Belfast Agreement in April 1998, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, established the present Assembly. A devolved government was formed in 1999 but was suspended in 2002 after a breakdown of trust between the parties. Two shadow assemblies met during suspension to provide a forum for political discussion and the St. Andrews Agreement in October 2006 led to the restoration of devolution in May 2007 and the establishment of the current Northern Ireland Assembly. (Northern Ireland Yearbook, p.14)