Agreement Reached on Departments and Cross-border Bodies, 18 December 1998

In the early hours of the morning of Friday 18 December 1998, after 18 hours of talks, the pro-Agreement parties at Stormont made a significant breakthrough in the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and consequently the peace process.

The parties reached accommodation on a list of ten departments for the future government of Northern Ireland, and six cross-border implementation bodies comprising ministers from North and South of the border for the first time. These are listed briefly below. A joint statement providing further details on this agreement was issued later that day by First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon.

Summary List of Departments and Cross-Border Bodies

10 Government Departments
• agriculture and rural development
• enterprise, trade and investment (to include tourism)
• health, social care and public safety
• finance and personnel
• education
• advanced education, training and employment
• the environment
• regional development
• social development
• culture, arts and leisure
  

6 Cross-border Implementation Bodies;


• Inland waterways,
• food safety,
• trade and business development,
• EU programmes,
• Language (Irish and Ulster Scots)
• Aquaculture.