The two main political parties in the agreement were the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), led by David Trimble, and the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), led by John Hume. The two heads of state and government together won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998. The other parties to the agreement were Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party and the Progressive Unionist Party. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which later became the largest Unionist party, did not support the agreement. When Sinn Féin and loyalist parties entered, they left the talks because republican and loyalist paramilitary weapons had not been decommissioned. The British House of Commons voted by a majority of 426 votes (473 in favour and 47 against, the largest majority during Thatcher`s term) in favour of a proposal to approve the agreement. The majority of the Conservative party voted in favour (although there were a few Unionist MPs in the party who opposed it), as did labour and the Liberal-SDP Alliance. Of Northern Ireland`s main parties, only the Social Democratic and Labour nationalist parties (SDLP) and the Inter-Community Alliance Party supported the agreement. Since the agreement obliges the government to legislate on the European Convention on Human Rights and to grant northern Ireland residents access to the European Court of Human Rights, it requires the adoption of the 1998 Human Rights Act. As a result, the agreement was an important factor that prevented the repeal of the Law and its replacement by the Proposed British Bill of Rights promised by Prime Minister David Cameron. [29] 3. All participants reaffirmed their commitment to the complete disarmament of all paramilitary organizations. They also reaffirm their intention to continue to cooperate constructively and in good faith with the Independent Commission and to use their influence to secure the dismantling of all paramilitary weapons within two years of the approval of the Agreement, in the north and south, and as part of the implementation of the comprehensive regime.

8. During the transition period between the northern Ireland Assembly elections and the transfer of power to Northern Ireland, representatives of the transitional administration of Northern Ireland and the Irish Government, acting in the North-South Council of Ministers, will implement, in consultation with the British Government, a work programme with at least 12 themes , in order to identify and agree, by 31 October 1998, areas in which cooperation and implementation will be mutually beneficial. These areas can be added to the points in the schedule list. The agreement was for Northern Ireland to be part of the United Kingdom and remain in place until a majority of the population of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland wished otherwise. If this happens, the British and Irish governments will be “obliged” to implement this decision. 3. The Assembly will exercise full legislative and executive power on matters currently under the jurisdiction of the six northern Ireland departments, with the possibility of taking responsibility for other matters as described in this agreement. The agreement called for the creation of an independent commission to review police rules in Northern Ireland, “including ways to promote broad community support” for these agreements. The UK government has also pledged to carry out a “large-scale review” of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. 19.

The Executive Committee will provide a forum for discussion and agreement on issues that overlap with the jurisdiction of two or more ministers, give priority to executive and legislative proposals and, if necessary, recommend a common position (e.g.B.