A New Era for Belfast: Assessing Growth and change in the Belfast community after the Good Friday Agreement

Annelise Brady

The Good Friday Agreement (GFA) was agreed almost 27 years ago on the 10th of April 1998. The agreement underpinned peace, constitutional settlements, and institutions. The agreement garnered substantial public support, with 71.2% of voters endorsing it in a referendum. The GFA was enacted by the Northern Ireland Act 1998. One of the most consequential outcomes of the GFA was the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly. This legislative body has full authority over devolved matters, allowing for local governance and decision-making that directly addresses the needs and concerns of its citizens. A significant development stemming from the agreement occurred in 2001, when the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) underwent a name change to become the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). This transformation aimed to create a police force that was more representative police force of and accountable to the diverse communities within NI.

Undoubtedly, the most significant change since the GFA has been the remarkable economic growth of Belfast as a city. In 2008, the opening of Victoria Square shopping centre marked a pivotal moment in Belfast’s development, representing oneof the most expensive property investments in the city’shistory, signifying a shift towards urban renewal and economic revitalization. The impact of cultural phenomena on Belfast’s economy became evident in 2010 when production for “Game of Thrones” began in Belfast. The drama catapulted NI to the global stage, boosting tourism and investment. Today NI is considered a major hub for film and television production, an achievement that would have seemed unimaginable 30 years ago. Further illustrating this transformation, notable events such as the MTV European Music Awards hosted in the Odyssey Arena in 2011 and the G8 Summit held in County Fermanagh in 2013 showcased NI’s emergence as a highly esteemed country.

These remarkable events in Belfast example the change which occurred due to the GFA, as Belfast transformed from a city characterised by violence and conflict to an urban hotspot.

Since the signing of the GFA, Belfast has experienced a remarkable surge in tourism and international student enrolment. The number of overseas visitors more than doubled from 1.3m before 1998 to 3 million. Moreover, scheduled air routes also more than doubled, now handling 8.8m passengers annually. There has also been a recent large influx of international students. Department for the Economy (DFE) 15,000 international students in QUB and UU in 2021/22 a substantial rise from just 4,000 in 2018. Thisstatistic provides a stark contrast to the troubles in which 23,000 kids and young adults were taken to the US for the summer to enjoy peace. This provides an example of one of the most dramatic changes which has occurred since the GFA in 1998.

Since the implementation of the agreement, the private sectorin Belfast has experienced remarkable growth, reducing the regions traditional reliance on public sector employment. Sectors such as cyber security, fintech and analytics have emerged, establishing Belfast as a world leading tech hub.The increase in educational opportunities has been substantial with enrolment numbers rising by 50%. The surge in education has contributed to a highly skilled workforce that meets the demands of the evolving job market. Unemployment rates have also seen a dramatic decline dropping from 8.5% to 2.5% in 25 years, which is the strongest growth of employment of any UK region. Moreover, 51% tourists come for business. The region’s economic output has more than doubled from £19.8bn in 1998 to £43.7bn in 2020. These facts highlight the transition of Belfast to a dynamic economy.

The legal industry in Belfast has also experienced a boom with international private firms coming to Belfast. This development has created a wealth of opportunities for young professionals entering the field. In 1996 there were only two firms in Belfast from outside NI jurisdiction. Now, the landscape has dramatically changed. Prestigious international firms such as Baker McKenzie, Pinsent Masons and Fieldfisher all have offices in Belfast. This expansion reflects a growing recognition of Belfast as a viable location for legal services.

Companies such as BT, Citi, Fintru and PWC have established legal teams locally. The legal sector now employs over 6,500 people. Lisa McLaughlin, Herbert Smith Freehills Partner stated ‘the legal market in Northern Ireland is unrecognisable over 10 years on from the launch of our business in Belfast’. Belfast has been identified as one of the top 10 emerging legal tech scenes globally alongside London, Toronto and Tel Aviv.Due these profound changes over the past 27 years, some have referred to Belfast as a ‘renaissance city’.

The GFA has undeniably transformed the economic landscape of Belfast and the broader Northern Ireland region. It has repositioned Belfast as a city brimming with opportunities and prosperity, moving away from its historical reputation as a site of conflict.

Despite these advancements, significant political challenges remain. A critical aspect to consider is that for one third of its lifespan Stormont has been suspended, as one of the parties in the executive has collapsed the government. The Executive only resumed operations last year after enduring a 23 month impasse from February 2022. For the people of NI this is simply not good enough, without a sitting government Stormont is controlled by Westminster creating a democratic deficit for the voters. The power-sharing arrangements established under the GFA of 1998 were designed to ensure co-operation between unionist and nationalist factions within the Stormont Assembly. However, these provisions have proved to cause the opposite as the largest unionist or nationalist bloc in the Stormont Assembly can dissolve the government by refusing to participate. Many have called for reform of the institutions to remove this veto mechanism, proposing creating an opt-in government model that would promote stability and ensure continuous governance.

To conclude, the Good Friday Agreement facilitated a transformative piece of legislation which altered the trajectory of Belfast from a city marked by conflict to a place brimming with opportunities. Despite the expedient impact the GFA had on the economy, a lot is still to be said for the effectiveness of the frameworks laid out in the legislation. A 2019 study revealed that 1/3 of young people in NI have no trust in the Assembly, due to constant collapsing and reviving. Therefore, while much has been completed by the GFA, regarding economic prosperity, there is still work to be done to enhance every aspect of our community.