AGENDA SETTING, PRESSURE GROUPS AND PUBLIC POLICY, ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND LIGNITE USE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

In: Public administration: an international quarterly, Band 69, Heft 3, S. 392--398

Abstract

ONE OF THE MAIN PLANKS OF GOVERNMENT POLICY UNDER MRS. THATCHER WAS PRIVATIZATION. THIS HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY PURSUED ON A VARITY OF FRONTS IN ENGLAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND. IN NORTHER IRELAND, HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN APPPLIED IN A SLOWER MANNER, DESPITE THE ALLEGEDLY UNITARY CHARACTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS A CASE STUDY AS AN EXPLORATION OF SOME OF THE FACTORS INVOLVED, REVOLVING AROUND THE PRIVATIZTION OF THE LOCAL ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY AND HOW THIS RELATED TO THE DISCOVERY OF COMMERCIALLY VIABLE SOURCES OF LIGNITE IN NORTHERN IRELAND.