Alliance News 1998-1112

for a fair, just, peaceful and prosperous society

Quiet Revolution - Northern Ireland in a changing Europe

november / december 1998

november / december 1998 The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland 88 University Street Belfast BT7 1HE Phone: 01232-324274 Fax: 01232-333147 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.unite.net/ customers/alliance/ Leader: Ald Sean Neeson Deputy Leader: Cllr Seamus Close Chair: Cllr Eileen Bell Vice Chair: Cllr Peter Osborne General Secretary: Cllr Richard Good Chief Whip: Cllr David Ford

Neeson Presents New Team At a recent Press Conference at Alliance Party Headquarters, Sean Neeson presented a new team of Party Spokespersons. The Party Leader told the media of his delight at the new team he had been able to pull together, and which he had tasked with promoting and communicating Alliance policies in the months ahead. “As a community we are taking on new responsibilities - a challenge that will demand new thinking. Working with our policy groups, these people will vigorously and pro-actively develop new policies to ensure Alliance plays its full role in the Assembly.

new faces - young people determined to make a better future. As well as new people we have included new portfolios, allowing us to cover issues that demand our attention, such as Youth Issues, Global Issues and Western Regional Development.

“Among the team are some of the most experienced political representatives in Northern Ireland politics but there are also

“These are the people and the issues that will ensure that the Alliance Party puts in place plans for pluralism.”

The Alliance Party is committed ... ... to the creation of a fair, just, peaceful and prosperous society in Northern Ireland, based on respect for all sections of our community and on the widest possible participation in government. We are committed to the protection of human rights, and we utterly oppose the use of violence. We believe that the people of Northern Ireland must decide their own future, and that there should be no change in the constitutional position without their consent.

The new Spokespersons Team Finance: Seamus Close Economy: Peter Osborne Training & Employment: Jayne Dunlop Europe: Geraldine Rice Agriculture: David Ford Education: David Alderdice Housing: Mervyn Jones Consumer Affairs: Jan Campbell Disability: Noreen McIlwrath Equality & Community Relations: Eileen Bell Children & The Family: Margaret Marshall

Tourism: Kieran McCarthy Environment: Richard Good Transport: John Mathews Local Government: Stewart Dickson Western Regional Development: Ann Gormley Youth: Michael Long Justice: Steve McBride Arts, Heritage & Culture: Yvonne Boyle Global Affairs: Stephen Farry Cross Border Issues: Oliver Napier Health & Social Services: Betty Campbell

EDITED BY: Richard Good PRINTED BY: GPS Colour Graphics Ltd. PUBLISHED BY: Alliance Party of Northern Ireland COVER PIC: Pacemaker Press Int'l.

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for a fair, just, peaceful and prosperous society

EDITORIAL

Vital Voices

Get Into Europe

At the recent Vital Voices Conference at the Waterfront Hall, members of the Alliance Women’s Network joined Party Leader Sean Neeson and Belfast City Councillor Mervyn Jones to discuss the role of women in political and community life.

It’s time more of us got into Europe. With powers over our own affairs devolved to our own politicians, Europe should become part of our own political debate.

The Alliance Women’s Network is co-ordinated by Party Chair Eileen Bell, and seeks to ensure that women in the Party have their voices heard at every level. Any member who would like to join the Network or find out more information should write to Eileen at Party Headquarters.

Review Report New Website The Party President’s Review has been ongoing throughout the Autumn. A Report on the Review will be presented to Party Council for discussion at its 5 December meeting, and will be covered in the January issue of Alliance News.

December will see the relaunch of the Alliance Party’s presence on the Internet. The old site has been closed down and a new site will open at:

Any Party Member who is not a Member of Party Council may attend the December meeting as an Observer, if nominated by their local Association. Contact your local Association Secretary or Party H.Q. for The President's details.

The Party will also have new Email addresses, the main one being:

Review

www.allianceparty.org

[email protected] The new Email address will be operational from, and the new website will be launched on, 1 December 1998.

Our European elections are more of a battle over our own border question than a debate over the borders of the European Union, or the development of a Europe which involves, serves and protects every European citizen. As a party we have always been pro-Europe, but too few of us have been involved in the debate over what that Europe should or should not look like. In the months ahead we will have every excuse to change that. The Assembly means new opportunities to develop our European relationships, and the European election will make all our members advocates of the Party’s position on Europe’s future. Assembly Members and Party members alike, we all need to get into Europe. 3

november / december 1998 This year has seen a revolution in how Northern Ireland is to govern itself. We have regained our own devolved Assembly, and are about to create institutional links with the Republic of Ireland. But a more quiet revolution has also been taking place in how the world governs itself. The nation-state is no longer all powerful. It is increasingly recognised that certain problems: such as co-ordinating economies, protecting the environment, and maintaining stability are more effectively conducted through international/supranational organisations. At the same time, other powers, such as health,

The Quiet REvolUtion With the successful conclusion of the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland is set to officially take its place as a region within Europe. Stephen Farry looks at the quiet revolution that is taking place beyond the developments at Stormont.

education and economic development, have been transferred to regions, bringing decision-making closer to the people. At the vanguard of both these trends lies the European Union and it is into this context that the newly assertive region of Northern Ireland will plug itself.

A Europe of the Regions Regional government is now the norm throughout Europe. Until recently, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland had been the only significant centralised states within the European Union. Regionalism is not only about more effective governance. In many countries, such as Spain, devolution is a powerful tool for addressing demands for self-autonomy from minorities. In Northern Ireland, our regional government provides the only mechanism for the whole community -Unionists, Nationalists, and centrists to participate in power-sharing government. Many regions within Europe are now powerful actors in their own right: Bavaria and Catalonia are two of the more obvious examples. The more powers granted to regions by their national

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for a fair, just, peaceful and prosperous society governments, the more influence they can have on the European stage. They are creating their own direct vertical relationships with Brussels, and relationships with each other, in both cases bypassing their own national governments. Cooperation however is not always the norm; competition, in particular, for inward investment can be quite fierce. Northern Ireland has only an embryonic voice in Europe through the NI Centre of Europe. While we may be behind other regions in terms of clout in Brussels, we will shortly surpass other examples of inter-regional co-operation through our NorthSouth arrangements. The type of relationships envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement are not without precedent in Europe, but the scope and depth to the co-operation is.

A Deepening and Widening Europe The European Union continues to develop. The 1990s have seen the creation of the Single Market, the passage of the Treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam, and will soon see the formal start of the European Single Currency - the Euro. Europe is increasingly one unit - economically and politically. The pace of developments has slowed, reflecting the concerns of the domestic public opinion in member states. Yet, the continued progress of the EuroExpress seems irreversible. Indeed, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are queuing up to join.

Economy; it will provide a more stable framework for investment, and it will lower the costs of doing business. Negatively, the single currency will work best when the current national economies are synchronised together. Once a single economic unit is created, if different areas fall-out of synch, there will be fewer instruments available to adjust economies which overheat or cool. The single market of the US copes through having more open labour and capital markets. Ultimately, greater transfer payments between the rich and poorer parts of the European Union may be required. A single European economic unit will lead to greater competition between regions. While all of Europe should rise together, some areas will rise more than others. Active promotion of the Northern Ireland economy’s comparative advantages will be required. We should be conscious of Northern Ireland’s strengths in a highly educated workforce, our use of the English language, and our scenery, but we must also be aware of our periphery. There is a further particularly local challenge from the Single Currency. The Republic of Ireland will join the Eurozone at the outset. Northern Ireland, while remaining part of the UK, will not. Already, the Republic has the advantage over Northern Ireland - through being part of the Eurozone, it will become even more attractive to investors from outside Europe.

The Challenge for the Alliance Party Opportunities and Threats Much of the policy-framework in which the future Northern Ireland Administration will operate is now determined through Europe. Macro-economic policy, the negotiation of external trade deals, the regulation of agriculture, the protection of the environment will all be influenced by Brussels. In addition, best practice in a host of policy areas can be learnt from our European partners. The forthcoming Single Currency is particularly noteworthy both as an opportunity and as a threat. The political arguments against the single currency are weak - they are essentially a poor veil for outright nationalism. The economic arguments are more finely balanced. It will build on the Single Market and thereby consolidate the development of a genuine European

We do not a have choice between being part of Europe and remaining aloof. We only have a challenge of making Europe work for Northern Ireland. The response of the Alliance Party to this framework should be to strongly acknowledge and promote Northern Ireland’s position as a region within Europe. We must be prepared to enter into networks with other regions with similar agendas to ours. Alliance should support the deepening and widening of the European Union. In particular, the EU must be democratised to bring the peoples of Europe along with these positive developments. Above all, we should be prepared to campaign for the UK’s entry into the single currency. Stephen Farry is the new Alliance Spokesperson on Global Affairs 5

november / december 1998

Our European Allies

Assembly Report:

From Stormont to Brussels As part of its support for the new Northern Ireland Assembly, the European Commission recently extended an invitation to the Members of the Assembly to participate in a conference in Brussels. The Conference was part of the ongoing Transition Programme, preparing Members for the transfer of power to Stormont. It aimed to assist the Assembly in establishing a close working relationship with the European Union and its institutions and to enable members to build direct links with those working at the heart of the European Union. Through a series of seminars and workshops, the Assembly members were given a greater understanding of the overall aims and objectives of the European Union, and had an opportunity to meet with key figures in the European Commission, the administrative hub of the European Union. An insight was also gained into the workings of the other institutions, particularly the European Parliament. Perhaps most important, the (Continued next page ...) 6

Alliance is not alone in Europe. Through membership of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party, Alliance is one of 23 parties across Europe who campaign on a common European manifesto.

recently elected Chair of the 52strong Parliamentary Group of ELDR, and John Alderdice serves as Treasurer of the directly elected Bureau, a small unit responsible for the day to day guidance of the Party.

The ELDR Party has a combined total of 1.3 million members throughout Europe, its member parties won 26 million votes across the most recent national elections, and it includes 10 parties with 39 ministers currently serving in their national governments.

As a member party, Alliance is entitlied to send representatives to the annual Congress, to participate in the ELDR Council, and our Leader attends Leaders’ Meetings twice a year.

Pat Cox, MEP for Munster was

With the European elections getting closer, work is now well underway on the joint ELDR manifesto.

Speaking for Europe Among the team of Spokespersons recently appointed by Sean Neeson was Castlereagh Cllr Geraldine Rice, now the Party’s Spokesperson on Europe. Previously Alliance’s Spokesperson on the Environment, Gerry takes up the new position at what she sees as an exciting time in the development of Europe. “The development of closer union between the states of Europe is something we have all too often sat back and watched. Sometimes we watch with fear, sometimes with envy, because as a community we have felt helpless to influence it in any really effective way. We heard about a ‘Europe of the Regions’, but as a region had no power

Cllr Geraldine Rice over our own affairs. That has changed now, and as the Assembly develops its role here at home we will also be able to develop our role in the debate over Europe’s future. All this is happening in the mouth of the elections to the European Parliament in June, so Alliance's voice in the debate must be loud and clear!”

for a fair, just, peaceful and prosperous society

Insight In each issue of Alliance News we seek to give an insight into major issues on the political agenda. In this Europefocussed issue, the Insight given is into the Euro. What is it? It's the currency which most EU countries will use to replace their national currencies. Their national currencies will then be completely replaced and will become illegal tender.

When will it be in circulation? Notes and coins won't become available until 1 January 2002, but it will be legal currency from 1 January 1999, so it can be used in financial markets, company activities and for cheques and credit cards.

How much will it be worth? At current exchange rates, one euro will be worth approximately 70p.

What will it look like? There will be 7 banknotes and 8 coins. The design will be the same in all Member States, but will incorporate illustrations identifying the country of origin.

Which countries will adopt it as their national currency? 11 countries will be joining from 1 January 1999. The UK will not be part of this first wave of countries.

When will I be able to spend it? From 2002, you will be able to spend euro notes and coins in any of the participating countries. Commission charges for changing currencies will no longer exist, making travel easier and cheaper, and facilitating trade between countries.

Will the UK ever enter EMU? It won’t be joining EMU in 1999, but the Government wants the UK to be ready to join by the next election. Rather than a complete opt-out, the UK stance is more ‘wait and see’. For a free information pack on the new currency and its implications, contact the Single Currency Information Centre, European Movement, FREEPOST BEL3385, Belfast BT7 1BR, or the European Commission Info-Point, Tel: 01232 240708.

(Continued from previous page ...)

Assembly members, almost ninety of whom attended the Conference, were briefed on the activities of the bodies which link Northern Ireland with the EU, and had opportunities to see how other regions are represented on the European stage. This will enable them to identify and draw together the elements which will ensure successful regional relations in the future. Speaking on his departure for Brussels, Alliance Party Chief Whip David Ford spoke enthusiastically about the potential benefits for the Assembly members attending: “With so much for Assembly Members to assimilate in the short period of time we have given ourselves for the transition to devolution, it would have been all too easy for us to leave Northern Ireland’s relationship wth Europe on the back boiler. But that relationship is too important for us to leave it for later, and that’s why this trip is so welcome. “In some ways it is as if Northern Ireland as a region is going into Europe for the first time. It isn’t, of course, but most elected representatives are only beginning to think about how we as a region can play a full part in shaping the European policies that are having an increasing effect on our daily lives - an effect that will be even more apparent when the Euro takes off next year. My priority for this trip is to follow up on the Euro seminar Alliance hosted last year, to try and get a better grasp of how the Republic joining the Euro while the UK stays out will impact on Northern Ireland.” 7

for a fair, just, peaceful and prosperous society Nicholas Whyte first joined Alliance as a schoolboy in 1984. “My parents were founder members, I think, and I remember addressing envelopes and delivering papers for Basil Glass and David Cook when I was very small. But it was important for me to make the commitment myself.”

People like you ... The Whyte Family

He studied in Cambridge for five years, and there he met and married Anne who originally comes from Birmingham. “When I moved back to Belfast in 1992, it was clear that only Alliance was committed to a positive and realistic future for Northern Ireland, and I really wanted to help.” Nicholas became Party Organiser for three years, and stood in North Belfast in the 1996 Forum elections. In 1997 he found work in Bosnia,

21 November, Saturday

Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy Sale Helen and Pat Sweeney invite you to join them at their home for coffee and cake. 10am-1pm / £2 16 Jordanstown Road, Jordanstown. Organised by Jordanstown & Carnmoney Branch.

21 November, Saturday

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Banbridge Party Banbridge Association invite you to Party with them at the home of Mary Smyth. 8pm / £7.50 31 Drumnascamph Road, Gilford.

23 November, Monday

Young Alliance AGM The Annual General Meeting of the Party’s youth wing. Any Member of the Party under the age of 30 is 8

november / december 1998 working for the US-based National Democratic Institute to strenghten those Bosnian politicians who are committed to reconciliation. “Working in the Balkans has made me realise how fortunate we were in Northern Ireland not to have suffered as awful a conflict. I would like to take certain politicians from back home on a tour of Vukovar or Sarajevo.” In May this year he and the family moved to Zagreb, Croatia, to continue the same work. He stays in close touch with Alliance. Anne is also an Alliance member. “I want our daughter Bridget to take pride in both her Irish Catholic and her English Methodist roots, and not to be defined by either. That’s what the Alliance Party means to me that our children may not have to take sides.” entitled to attend and vote for a new Executive, and to help shape the future of the Party. 7.30pm, Party Headquarters.

27 November, Friday

Anything but Chardonnay! John Kinahan will guide you through your ABC of wines. 8.30-11pm / £9 incl. supper Bleach House, Dunadry Inn RSVP John Wallace, 01849 473019 Organised by Antrim Association

5 December, Saturday

Party Council An important meeting which will include debate on the Report of the President’s Review. 10.00am Tullycarnet Bowling Pavillion, Belfast. Hosted by South Belfast Association Note: All those eligible to attend will receive a separate notice.