Northern Ireland: The O'Neill Years 1963-69

Question 1

When did O’Neill become Prime Minister?

Answer 1

March 1963

Question 2

What party was O’Neill apart of?

Answer 2

Official Unionist Party (OUP)

Question 3

What were the 9 O’Neill economic policies

Answer 3

Creating ministry of Development to drive economy forward
Launching an Economic Council to spearhead economic modernisation, led by Brain Faulkner.
Set up five economic zones to ensure the modernisation of existing industries and bring new industries
Investing £900 million in local economy
Kickstarting modernisation of transport system (road + rail)
Beginning cooperation with Irish Trades Union Congress
Creating new city of Craigavon
Building a new university campus in Coleraine

Question 4

Successes of O’Neill’s economic policies

Answer 4

Several international companies built factories in NI
Work started on construction of M1 motorway linking Belfast and Dungannon
Agreement signed with Dublin government over supply of electricity
Belfast benefited from opening of new oil refinery
Development started on a new airport.

Question 5

Failures of O’Neill economic Policies

Answer 5

Unemployment levels never lower than 7 percent
A lack of work in industries (linen and shipbuilding) meant 20,000 jobs were lost
Government had to give money to shipbuilders Harland and Wolff to keep company open
Attracting investment to areas west of River Bann was very difficult

Question 6

What were O’Neill’s political goals

Answer 6

improve relations with the Republic of Ireland
Improve relations within NI

Question 7

What did O’Neill do to improve relations with Republic of Ireland

Answer 7

The Hand of Friendship:
This is when in January 1965 O’Neill met with Taoiseach Sean Lemass at Stormont for the first time since 1925. Discussed issues of common concern such as economy
December 1967 O’Neill travelled to meet Lemass’ successor Jack Lynch

Question 8

What did O’Neill do to improve relations within Northern Ireland (Nationalist points)

Answer 8

Met with Cardinal William Conway (Archbishop of Armagh and therefore spiritual leader of countries Catholics)
When Pope John XXIII died in June 1963 O’Neill offered gov condolences
Visited Catholic hospitals and schools
Increased funding to Catholic schools and hospitals

Question 9

Unionist reactions to O’Neill’s policies

Answer 9

Mixed reaction both support and opposition:
Opposition to Lemass’ visit to Stormont in January 1965 from within O’Neills own cabinet. Minister of Commerce Brain Faulkner complained he knew nothing about what O’Neill was planning
No significant public opposition to Lemass visit. Strong objection from Rev Ian Paisley leader of the Free Presbyterian Church
Jack Lynch visited it was more acceptable

Question 10

What Violence and Division occurred within O’Neill power

Answer 10

Tensions increased in 1966 with commerations for Easter Rising and Battle of the Somme. Rioting broke out
Two catholics died in may and june 1963 due to gun attacks by UVF (O’Neill banned organisation soon after)

Question 11

Examples of Growing Unionist opposition to O’Neill outside OUP

Answer 11

UVF was re-emerging
Ian Paisley objected to any links with the south

Question 12

Reasons for growing unionist opposition to O’Neill outside OUP

Answer 12

Lemass Stormont visit
Rioting after Easter rising and Battle of the Somme anniversaries
Article 2 and 3 of Irish constitution laid claim to entire island of Ireland this was seen as a threat to their existence

Question 13

Examples of growing unionist opposition to O’Neill inside OUP

Answer 13

O’Neill faced opposition from his deputy Brian Faulkner and Minister for Agriculture, Harry West
September 1966 there was OUP backbencher plot to remove O’Neill as leader

Question 14

Reason for growing Unionist opposition to O’Neill inside OUP

Answer 14

O’Neill didn’t tell cabinet about Lemass visit in 1965

Question 15

Nationalist reactions to O’Neill Policies

Answer 15

Initially supportive of O’Neills policies
Some things led to negative reaction:
Decision to name new town linking Lurgan and Portadown after NI founder Lord Craigavon didn’t go down well.
NI new university was sited in Coleraine instead of Londonderry the second largest city in NI just because LD is catholic and Coleraine is protestant
O’Neill wasn’t succesful in attracting foreign investment to areas weast of River Bann which was a nationalist area