Direct Rule and the Governance of Northern Ireland

This is the first comprehensive study of direct rule as the system of governance which operated in Northern Ireland for most of the period between 1972 and 2007. The major institutions of governance are described and examined in detail, including the often neglected sectors of the role of the Westminster parliament, the civil service, local government, quangos, ombudsmen offices, cross-border structures and the public expenditure process. The book explains how the complex system covering transferred, reserved and excepted functions worked and provided viable governance despite political violenc

The constitutional framework -- The Secretary of State and the Northern Ireland ministers -- Northern Ireland business in the Westminster Parliament -- The Civil Service : a continuing institution -- The use of quangos -- The role of local government -- Finance and public expenditure -- Cross-border cooperation and British-Irish institutions -- Ombudsmen, commissioners and complaints -- Policy-making under direct rule