Direct Rule
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Direct Rule is the term given to the running of the day-to-day administration of Northern Ireland directly from Westminster. It was official British policy from the suspension of Stormont in March 1972, until the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Direct rule is objected to by many in Northern Ireland. This includes Unionist politicians who regard it as undemocratic. Nationalists and Republicans disagree in basic principle with Northern Ireland's inclusion in the United Kingdom and also regard it as undemocratic and creating a democratic deficit in Northern Ireland.
Since the Belfast Agreement, the Assembly has been suspended (and thus Direct Rule re-imposed) on four occasions, twice in 1999, 2001 and at the time of writing (2005), the Assembly remains suspended for the indefinite future.
Direct Rule Ministers are appointed by the British Cabinet. Currently, none are from Northern Ireland.
The implementation of Direct Rule is the prerogative of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who decides if and when to do so.
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