AQA A-LEVEL Government and Politics Assessment Unit AS 1 assessing The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland MARK SCHEME

AQA Government and Politics Assessment Unit AS 1 assessing The Government and Politics of Northern Ireland TEST Level 4 (Good): The candidate makes a good selection and use of an appropriate form and style of writing. Relevant material is organised with a good standard of clarity and coherence. There is good use of appropriate specialist vocabulary. Presentation, spelling, punctuation and grammar are of a sufficiently good standard to make meaning clear. Level 5 (High Standard): The candidate successfully selects and uses the most appropriate form and style of writing. Relevant material is organised with a high degree of clarity and coherence. There is widespread and accurate use of appropriate specialist vocabulary. Presentation, spelling, punctuation and grammar are of a sufficiently high standard to make meaning clear. 1 Two marks for each of the Bills passed by the Assembly. These are actual pieces of legislation and not types of Bills. The precise name of the Bill is not a requirement of achieving the marks. Candidates may refer to the Taxi Bill, Human Trafficking Bill, Shared Education Bill or any other. (AO1: 4 marks) [4] 2 Background What has become known as “victims’ Issues” is one of several areas of disagreement that has dogged Northern Ireland politics since the Good Friday Agreement and more especially since the restoration of devolution in 2007. The term broadly refers to a range of contentious issues over the recognition and treatment of victims and survivors. One of the most contentious is the definition of who victims are, with unionists and nationalists having very different interpretations. Following on from this, there is disagreement on who should receive recognition and what level of state support should be available. Level 1 ([1]–[2]) The candidate offers a basic explanation of what is meant by “victims’ issues”. There is limited or no use of the Source or own knowledge. Level 2 ([3]–[4]) The candidate offers a more developed explanation of what is meant by “victims’ issues”. There is some use of the Source or own knowledge. If no reference to the Source is made a maximum of 4 marks can be awarded. Level 3 ([5]–[6]) The candidate provides a full explanation of what is meant by the term “victims’ issues”. There is good use of the Source and own knowledge. (AO1: 6 marks) Any other valid material will be rewarded appropriately. [6] 3 Background It is much easier to identify areas of division between the Unionist and Nationalist parties in Northern Ireland. However, there are a number of areas where cross-party consensus