Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 16 February 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement

Architects of the Good Friday Agreement (Resumed): Ms Liz O'Donnell

Ms Liz O'Donnell:

Yes. There is always a review clause in the agreements. It was reviewed for the St. Andrews Agreement and there is no reason something like that could not be done to review the political institutions if they are not working. Why not? Nothing is set in stone. It is about having a working Assembly and Executive where people can co-operate and work together for the greater good.

The Irish and British Government are custodians. We are the grown-ups in the room, but at a certain point you have to say, "These are your institutions and this is your Government; if you want devolution, you have to run your own affairs."