Motion no: 10
As political devolution develops across the UK there is a danger that Northern Ireland may be viewed as a political situation on which agreement has been reached. This is not the case. In the Republic of Ireland all attention is focused on who will form the next Government. The Peace Process has been sacrificed in that debate. The crisis talks which the UK and Irish Governments held with political parties in Northern Ireland in late 2014 were used to impose structural readjustment with an austerity package which puts the Peace Process in jeopardy. The adjustment dismantles public services and jobs at a time when economic and social stability is needed most. This has resulted in industrial action and public protest on a wide scale. The Stormont House Agreement betrays the commitments made by both the Irish and UK governments, requiring the UK Government to bring forward a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. This commitment has been replaced by a veto from the opponents of equality and human rights. The People of Northern Ireland and trade union members in particular place the highest emphasis on social and economic rights, based on objective need, as critical to underpinning future peace and prosperity for all. Public services are recognised as the key vehicle for delivering such rights. As co-signatories to the Peace Agreement both governments, and the Cameron/Clegg Coalition in particular, walked away from their obligations. UNISON has consistently campaigned to secure the full implementation of the Peace Agreement. Consequently Conference calls on the incoming Executive Council to strive to secure firm commitments from the Irish Government to bring pressure to bear on the UK Government to reverse the structural adjustment, to remove the veto, and to bring forward legislation at Westminster to secure a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
