by Patrick McGrath
As the deadline for Brexit on January 31st approaches, debate has continued around a resolution for the Northern Irish border question, drawing attention to the former conflict and the potential for a new hard border with the Republic of Ireland. Given the weight of this debate, the IIP hosted an event titled “And the walls remain the same? Local conflict in Northern Ireland in light of Brexit and the Irish border issue” on January 22nd with Dr. Bert Preiss of the Department of Political Science at the University of Vienna and Prof. Dr. Melanie Sully, Head of Go Governance at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. The conversation focused on the history of the conflict in Northern Ireland, the situation in the interface communities along the peace walls, and the possible results of Brexit and the Irish border debate.
President of the IIP Hannes Swoboda introduced the speakers and underlined the intra-European nature of the conflict in Northern Ireland, suggesting that continued stability in the country is essential to maintain peace in Europe. The disruptions caused by Brexit are a dangerous development for the island, and hope is needed to ensure that the hard-won peace prevails. The event first included a presentation by Preiss on his new book on the topic, before moving on to remarks from Sully, an expert on British politics, on the particular challenges posed by Brexit.
Preiss provided a background to the conflict, underlying the long-standing nature of the struggle between Catholic/Nationalist/Republican (CNR) and Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist (PUL) groups. The conflict is manifested in the peace walls across the country, particularly in the interface areas in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, and Portadown, as well as the murals, parades, and bonfire ceremonies across the country that highlight its divisions and harken back to “the Troubles” in the second half of the 20th century. After the signing of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) in 1998, which officially brought an end to the Troubles, additional peace walls were constructed to separate the CNR and PUL communities, although the government in Belfast has committed itself to taking down all walls by 2023.
These reminders of the conflict as well as the persistent poverty in the interface communities manifest communal divisions and segregation, impede development, and exacerbate inequality. Preiss sought to explore the question of why local conflicts, intercommunal tensions, and socio-economic inequality persist despite over two decades of efforts by both domestic and international actors. He argued that opposing ethno-nationalist identities and socio-economic class conflict, divided political elites, hegemonic power struggles, and new challenges due to Brexit are the primary explanations for the conflict’s persistence.
In discussions he held with CNR and PUL communities in Northern Ireland on key grievances, Preiss explained that respondents highlighted enduring feelings of fear and insecurity, a lack of intercommunal contract, continued division on constitutional questions, inequality, a lack of opportunities, dissatisfaction with political elites, and insufficient focus on working class issues, among others.
Since the Brexit referendum in 2016, there has been mounting confusion and controversy about the terms of the deal and its impact on Northern Ireland, as well as fear about upsetting progress in community relations and peacebuilding since the GFA. The elections in the UK in December 2019 and the announcement of a new power sharing agreement in the Northern Ireland Assembly – after nearly three years without a government – have further transformed the situation. Preiss argued that the UK elections highlighted dissatisfaction with the two primary parties – the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin – and a shared desire for better governance without exacerbating communal divisions. He concluded that the primary hope for continued peace in Northern Ireland will depend on the work of community groups and local activists.
In response to the presentation, Sully emphasized that the peace process in Northern Ireland will take more time and has indeed come a long way, although it remains fragile and has been stressed by Brexit. Further, the Troubles were felt across the UK, in particular due to acts of terrorism across the country, and thus debates around the Irish border after Brexit and the “Irish backstop” are not the first time that the Irish question has dominated British politics. The UK remains a key stakeholder in maintaining peace in Northern Ireland, but the debate around the role of Northern Ireland in Brexit brought undue attention to the conflict and threatened its sidelining in order to “get Brexit done.”
After the presentation, the panel discussed questions surrounding the possible impact of a new independence referendum in Scotland, the conditions of the new power-sharing agreement in Belfast, the economic dimensions of the peace process, and the state of the media. Sully emphasized the continued commitment to funding post-Brexit, the problem of weak institutions, and the danger for journalists in the country, following the murder of Lyra McKee last year, while Preiss underscored the emergence of a new middle ground as evidenced by support for non-sectarian political parties and a need to reach across community lines.