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4.9 The Programme for Government and PSAs
set the context for policy-making in the devolved administration. A key starting point
in the development of a new policy, or the review of an existing policy, is therefore the
extent to which the issue and the associated policy is consistent with the overall direction
of the Programme for Government.
The wider context
The Programme for Government is the
4.10 As well as ensuring that policy is developed
Executives contract with the
in a way which is consistent with the
people of Northern Ireland.
Programme for Government, it is important
It sets out the Executives
to take account of developments elsewhere, for example in UK or Irish Government policy
strategic aims and priorities
in relevant areas. It is also important to keep
for the years ahead and
abreast of developments internationally and
explains how the Executive
arising from research in your policy area:
will work with the Assembly
Chapter 5 and Annex C provide more
and with others to achieve
guidance on sources of evidence to support
these aims and make
policy-making.
progress on its priorities.
4.11 In addition to policies which are developed
on a planned basis emanating from identified need, there are occasions on
which new policy initiatives arise from unexpected or uncontrollable sources.
Examples could include: •
a Court judgment altering pre-existing policy;
• implications of the passage of EU
legislation requiring transposition in
Photo courtesy of Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
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Northern Ireland or of legislation elsewhere in the UK which has side- effects on NI legislation; and
• events which require a policy response, often beginning with a review
of existing policy in light of what has happened eg agriculture policies post-Foot and Mouth Disease; public safety policy after a major train
crash, etc
EU policy
4.12 EU policies and legislation impact on a wide range of matters in Northern Ireland:
according to one estimate, 80 per cent of policies in the Programme for Government and up to 60 per cent of all legislation. There are a number of ways
in which the EU is able to change or influence the law in member states: through Regulations, Directives and Decisions, all of which are to some extent binding;
Recommendations and Opinions, which state views of the European Commission or European Council; and case law which results from decisions
taken by the European Court of Justice. The design of EU Structural Funds programmes can also have an important influence on policy-making at member
state and regional level.
4.13 It is therefore very important to keep in touch with EU policy development in your
