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4 Northern Ireland and the European Union

The political dynamics
  • Mary C. Murphy
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Northern Ireland and the European Union
This chapter is in the book Northern Ireland and the European Union

Abstract

This chapter explores the different ways in which the EU has been associated with Northern Ireland politics in the broadest sense – i.e. how it has contributed to addressing the conflict and also its impact on political parties, interest groups and notions of identity. It notes that the EU’s impact on resolving the Northern Ireland conflict has been largely benign. For Northern Ireland political parties, the EU has typically been an issue of low political salience. Interest groups traditionally played an important role in terms of delivering services and engaging with the EU, but the introduction of devolution has undermined their role and vitality. On issues of identity, the EU has not had a neutralising impact on national identity. The question of governance. In terms of political dynamics, the EU has not produced a more governance-driven approach in Northern Ireland.

Abstract

This chapter explores the different ways in which the EU has been associated with Northern Ireland politics in the broadest sense – i.e. how it has contributed to addressing the conflict and also its impact on political parties, interest groups and notions of identity. It notes that the EU’s impact on resolving the Northern Ireland conflict has been largely benign. For Northern Ireland political parties, the EU has typically been an issue of low political salience. Interest groups traditionally played an important role in terms of delivering services and engaging with the EU, but the introduction of devolution has undermined their role and vitality. On issues of identity, the EU has not had a neutralising impact on national identity. The question of governance. In terms of political dynamics, the EU has not produced a more governance-driven approach in Northern Ireland.

Chapters in this book

  1. Front matter i
  2. Dedication v
  3. Contents vii
  4. List of tables viii
  5. Abbreviations ix
  6. Acknowledgements xi
  7. 1 Introduction 1
  8. 2 Northern Ireland and the European Union 22
  9. 3 Northern Ireland and the European Union 37
  10. 4 Northern Ireland and the European Union 66
  11. 5 Northern Ireland and the European Union 95
  12. 6 Northern Ireland and the European Union 131
  13. 7 Northern Ireland and the European Union 155
  14. 8 Northern Ireland, regional governance and the European Union 177
  15. Bibliography 193
  16. Index 211
https://doi.org/10.7765/9781526111616.00010

Chapters in this book

  1. Front matter i
  2. Dedication v
  3. Contents vii
  4. List of tables viii
  5. Abbreviations ix
  6. Acknowledgements xi
  7. 1 Introduction 1
  8. 2 Northern Ireland and the European Union 22
  9. 3 Northern Ireland and the European Union 37
  10. 4 Northern Ireland and the European Union 66
  11. 5 Northern Ireland and the European Union 95
  12. 6 Northern Ireland and the European Union 131
  13. 7 Northern Ireland and the European Union 155
  14. 8 Northern Ireland, regional governance and the European Union 177
  15. Bibliography 193
  16. Index 211
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