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  1. Overview: Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992
  2. Full Record: Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992
  3. British-Unionist Talks Document Library

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992

WORK IN PROGRESS - IN THE FINAL STAGES OF EDITING A series of talks launched by Peter Brooke, Secretary of State for Northern in Ireland, which began in April 1991, and were carried on intermittently by Brooke and his successor, Patrick Mayhew, until November 1992.

British-Unionist Talks

Meetings between the British Government, the UUP and the DUP. Dates of meetings created from source material, but records of discussions not currently available to us.

To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.

Committee Document Library View

The list of documents under consideration by committee: British-Unionist Talks at the end of its timeline.

Agenda for Preliminary Bilateral Meetings

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 May 1991, 10:30

Agenda for Preliminary Bilateral Meetings

Position of Parties on the Morning of 8 May

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 08 May 1991, 11:53

Position of Parties on the Morning of 8 May

Secretary of State's Summary of the Position on the Afternoon of 8 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 08 May 1991, 16:23

Secretary of State's Summary of the Position on the Afternoon of 8 May 1991

Joint Unionist Amendment of Secretary of State's Proposal 8th May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 May 1991, 12:18

Joint Unionist Amendment of Secretary of State's Proposal 8th May 1991

Location of Strand 2: Written Proposal from British Government

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 May 1991, 12:18

Location of Strand 2: Written Proposal from British Government

Conclusions of the Meeting with the SDLP at 14:05 on 9 May - Response to the Joint Unionist Amendment

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 May 1991, 15:45

Conclusions of the Meeting with the SDLP at 14:05 on 9 May - Response to the Joint Unionist Amendment

Press Release: Unionist Statement of 15 May

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 15 May 1991, 12:00

Press Release: Unionist Statement of 15 May

People: Jim Molyneaux Ian Paisley

Political Talks: Practical Issues Concerning Strands Two and Three

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 16 May 1991, 09:00

Political Talks: Practical Issues Concerning Strands Two and Three

Bilateral Exchange Of Letters: Unionist Response To Secretary Of State 16 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 16 May 1991, 09:00

Bilateral Exchange Of Letters: Unionist Response To Secretary Of State 16 May 1991

People: Jim Molyneaux Ian Paisley

Bilateral Exchange Of Letters: Secretary Of State Reply To Unionist Leaders 16 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 16 May 1991, 09:00

Bilateral Exchange Of Letters: Secretary Of State Reply To Unionist Leaders 16 May 1991

People: Peter Brooke

Bilateral Exchange Of Letters: Letter From Tony Pawson To Unionist Leaders 17 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 16 May 1991, 09:00

Bilateral Exchange Of Letters: Letter From Tony Pawson To Unionist Leaders 17 May 1991

People: Anthony J D Pawson

SDLP Press Statement 20 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 11:30

SDLP Press Statement 20 May 1991

Next Steps in the Process 21 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 17:35

Next Steps in the Process 21 May 1991

People: Ian Paisley

Agenda for Bilateral Meetings on 22 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 22 May 1991, 14:40

Agenda for Bilateral Meetings on 22 May 1991

Unionist Position Paper: Agenda Items/Programme of Work

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 22 May 1991, 14:40

Unionist Position Paper: Agenda Items/Programme of Work

People: Jim Molyneaux Ian Paisley

Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of Strand Two (28 May 1991)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 28 May 1991, 14:10

Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of Strand Two (28 May 1991)

Unionist Proposals for Independent Chairman

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 Jun 1991, 14:37

Unionist Proposals for Independent Chairman

People: Ian Paisley

Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of Strand Two (28 May 1991, 1715)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 Jun 1991, 14:37

Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of Strand Two (28 May 1991, 1715)

Letter from the Joint Unionist Delegation Leaders to the Secretary of State 3 June 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 04 Jun 1991, 10:55

Letter from the Joint Unionist Delegation Leaders to the Secretary of State 3 June 1991

Secretary of State's Objectives for 12th December Bilateral Meeting

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 12 Dec 1991, 16:00

Secretary of State's Objectives for 12th December Bilateral Meeting

People: Jim Nicholson

Proposition for Intervals of Freshs Talks

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 12 Dec 1991, 16:00

Proposition for Intervals of Freshs Talks

People: Jim Nicholson

Mr Hill's Draft Text

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 12 Dec 1991, 16:00

Mr Hill's Draft Text

Agreeing New Political Structures

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 15 May 1992, 12:30

Agreeing New Political Structures

Getting Round the Obstacles 27.05.1992 18:15

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 27 May 1992, 15:15

Getting Round the Obstacles 27.05.1992 18:15

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 27 May 1992, 15:15

They were not willing, in advance of that point, to consider the possible elements of any such model.

New Political Institutions in Northern Ireland

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 04 Jun 1992, 16:00

New Political Institutions in Northern Ireland

UUP Proposals for a Northern Ireland Select Committee

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 04 Jun 1992, 16:00

UUP Proposals for a Northern Ireland Select Committee

People: Jim Molyneaux

Sub-Committee Report 10 June 1992

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 11 Jun 1992, 12:30

Sub-Committee Report 10 June 1992

Message from Molyneaux and Paisley to the Secretary of State

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 11 Jun 1992, 12:30

Message from Molyneaux and Paisley to the Secretary of State

Statement to the Plenary (12 June 1992)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 12 Jun 1992, 15:25

Statement to the Plenary (12 June 1992)

Letter from Dr Paisley Rejecting the Proposed Package

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 12 Jun 1992, 15:25

Letter from Dr Paisley Rejecting the Proposed Package

Sub-Committee on Agenda Item 6 Agenda (03.09.1992)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 08 Sep 1992, 22:15

Sub-Committee on Agenda Item 6 Agenda (03.09.1992)

DUP Statement (09.09.1992)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 Sep 1992, 11:00

DUP Statement (09.09.1992)

Party Leaders' Proposal for Transition to Strands II and III

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 Sep 1992, 11:00

Party Leaders' Proposal for Transition to Strands II and III

Exchange of Letters Regarding 9 September 1992 British Government Paper: Letter from Jim Molyneaux to Patrick Mayhew

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 Sep 1992, 19:19

Exchange of Letters Regarding 9 September 1992 British Government Paper: Letter from Jim Molyneaux to Patrick Mayhew

People: Jim Molyneaux

Exchange of Letters Regarding 9 September 1992 British Government Paper: Letter from Ian Paisley to Patrick Mayhew

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 10 Sep 1992, 10:00

Exchange of Letters Regarding 9 September 1992 British Government Paper: Letter from Ian Paisley to Patrick Mayhew

People: Ian Paisley

Exchange of Letters Regarding 9 September 1992 British Government Paper: Second Letter from Ian Paisley to Patrick Mayhew

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 10 Sep 1992, 15:00

Exchange of Letters Regarding 9 September 1992 British Government Paper: Second Letter from Ian Paisley to Patrick Mayhew

People: Ian Paisley

Talks Planning Unit UK Analytical Paper on North:South Institutions 9 October

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 13 Oct 1992, 08:15

Talks Planning Unit UK Analytical Paper on North:South Institutions 9 October

Preliminary Bilateral Meeting with the Unionist Delegation on Friday 3 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 May 1991, 10:30

Preliminary Bilateral Meeting with the Unionist Delegation on Friday 3 May 1991

People: Peter Brooke

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 May 1991, 10:30

[Editor's Note: The meeting now draws to a conclusion and the various positions from the meeting are noted for further consideration.]

Joint Unionist Agenda/Programme of Work for Strand 1

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 May 1991, 10:30

Joint Unionist Agenda/Programme of Work for Strand 1

People: Peter Robinson

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 May 1991, 10:30

[Editor's Note: The meeting now draws to a conclusion and the various positions from the meeting are noted for further consideration.]

Location of Strand 2 Talks: Position of Parties on 3 May

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 07 May 1991, 11:50

Location of Strand 2 Talks: Position of Parties on 3 May

Conclusions of Meeting with the Unionist Delegations on 8 May at 11.53am

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 08 May 1991, 11:53

Conclusions of Meeting with the Unionist Delegations on 8 May at 11.53am

People: Peter Brooke

Conclusions of Meeting with the Joint Unionist Delegations on 8 May at 16:23

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 08 May 1991, 16:23

Conclusions of Meeting with the Joint Unionist Delegations on 8 May at 16:23

People: Peter Brooke

Location of Strand 2: Meeting with Unionist Delegations to Discuss Government Proposal (9 May 12:18)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 May 1991, 12:18

Location of Strand 2: Meeting with Unionist Delegations to Discuss Government Proposal (9 May 12:18)

People: Peter Brooke

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 May 1991, 12:18

[Editor's Note: We have created a document to record the decisions made at this meeting. This document is now referred back to the Office of the Chairman in order to inform the meetings with the other delegations.]

Conclusions of the Meeting with the Unionist Delegation at 1545 on 9 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 May 1991, 15:45

Conclusions of the Meeting with the Unionist Delegation at 1545 on 9 May 1991

People: Peter Brooke

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 09 May 1991, 15:45

[Editor's note: The following are the decisions or statements of intent during the course of the meeting that the Secretary of State needs to take forward into future discussion.]

Position of Unionist Leaders on Monday 13 May 1991 1100

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 13 May 1991, 11:00

Position of Unionist Leaders on Monday 13 May 1991 1100

People: Ian Paisley

Bilateral Exchange Of Letters: Unionist Position Communicated By Fax To The Secretary Of State 17 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 16 May 1991, 09:00

Bilateral Exchange Of Letters: Unionist Position Communicated By Fax To The Secretary Of State 17 May 1991

People: Jim Molyneaux Ian Paisley

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 16 May 1991, 09:00

[Editor's Note: We note the decision of the Secretary of State expressed in Tony Pawson's letter to move forward with consultation as a 'Refer proposal' on the most recent document presented by the Unionists.]

Joint Unionist Position Paper 20 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 20 May 1991, 15:27

Joint Unionist Position Paper 20 May 1991

People: Jim Molyneaux

Conclusions of the Bilateral Meeting with the Unionist Delegations on 20 May 1991 at 1527

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 20 May 1991, 15:27

Conclusions of the Bilateral Meeting with the Unionist Delegations on 20 May 1991 at 1527

People: Peter Brooke

Record of a Bilateral Meeting Between the Government Team and the Joint Unionist Delegation Held in Parliament Buildings on 20 May 1991 1527

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 11:30

Record of a Bilateral Meeting Between the Government Team and the Joint Unionist Delegation Held in Parliament Buildings on 20 May 1991 1527

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 11:30

[Editor's Note: The Unionist amendments would have been referred to the Talks Secretariat to produce a new version of the minutes. As the revised version was queried further on 21 May 1991, we know it was not finally adopted at this meeting.]

Clarifications Requested by the Unionist Delegations 21 May 1991 1130

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 11:30

Clarifications Requested by the Unionist Delegations 21 May 1991 1130

People: Peter Brooke

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 11:30

[Editor's Note: Unionist outstanding concerns are noted and referred back to the Office of the Chairman.]

Joint Unionist Position Paper of 21 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 17:35

Joint Unionist Position Paper of 21 May 1991

People: Jim Molyneaux Ian Paisley

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 17:35

14. The Secretary of State said that he was happy to accept responsibility for passing the document to the other participants. [Editor's Note: We refer the document to the Secretary of State's Office so it will be modelled as coming from him to the...

Record of a Bilateral Meeting Between the Government Team and the Joint Unionist Delegation Held in Parliament Buildings on 20 May 1991 1527

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 17:35

Record of a Bilateral Meeting Between the Government Team and the Joint Unionist Delegation Held in Parliament Buildings on 20 May 1991 1527

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 21 May 1991, 17:35

[Editor's Note: The minutes appear to have been adopted from this point with no further amendments proposed.]

Unionist Paper: Terms of Reference & Standing Orders of the Independent Chairman 22 May 1991

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 22 May 1991, 14:40

Unionist Paper: Terms of Reference & Standing Orders of the Independent Chairman 22 May 1991

People: Ian Paisley

Conclusions of the Meeting with the Joint Unionist Delegation on 22 May 1440

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 22 May 1991, 14:40

Conclusions of the Meeting with the Joint Unionist Delegation on 22 May 1440

People: Peter Brooke

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 22 May 1991, 14:40

[Editor's Note: Discussion is now concluded and the notes would be referred back to the Office of the Chairman.]

Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of Strand Two (as Amended at a Meeting with the Joint Unionist Delegation on 28 May 1991)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 28 May 1991, 14:10

Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of Strand Two (as Amended at a Meeting with the Joint Unionist Delegation on 28 May 1991)

People: Peter Brooke

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 28 May 1991, 14:10

[Editor's Note: The proposed amendments are referred back to the Office of the Chairman in order that a revised set draft Procedural Guidelines can be prepared.]

Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of Strand Two (3 June 1991)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 Jun 1991, 14:37

Procedural Guidelines for the Conduct of Strand Two (3 June 1991)

People: Peter Brooke

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 04 Jun 1991, 10:55

[Editor's Note: The Procedural Guidelines must now be made available to the Alliance and SDLP as outlined by the Secretary of State. In the event, he also seems to discuss them with the Irish Government again before making final changes and circulating...

Staffing of Strand Two

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 Jun 1991, 14:37

Staffing of Strand Two

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 03 Jun 1991, 14:37

Mr Cunningham and Mr Robinson then indicated that they were both content with the staffing document as drafted. [Editor's Note: The document, having received the approval of the Unionist delegation, must be referred back to the Office of the Chairman...

Plenary Discussion on the Way Forward

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 15 May 1992, 12:30

Plenary Discussion on the Way Forward

People: Patrick Mayhew

Statement to the Plenary (12 June 1992)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 12 Jun 1992, 15:25

Statement to the Plenary (12 June 1992)

Letter from Dr Paisley Rejecting the Proposed Package

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 12 Jun 1992, 15:25

Letter from Dr Paisley Rejecting the Proposed Package

People: Ian Paisley

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 12 Jun 1992, 15:25

[Editor's Note: This letter is sent to the Secretary of State, and then goes on to be discussed in other meetings.]

DUP Statement 13 October 1992

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 13 Oct 1992, 08:15

DUP Statement 13 October 1992

People: DUP Representative

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 13 Oct 1992, 08:15

[Editor's Note: The document is copied into the Office of the Chairman.]

Conclusions of the Bilateral DUP 13 October 1992 0815

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 13 Oct 1992, 08:15

Conclusions of the Bilateral DUP 13 October 1992 0815

People: British Government Representative

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 13 Oct 1992, 08:15

[Editor's Note: Agreements reached at this session informed the agenda for further meetings with the other parties.]

Conclusions of the Bilateral DUP 23 October 1992 1705

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 23 Oct 1992, 17:05

Conclusions of the Bilateral DUP 23 October 1992 1705

People: Patrick Mayhew

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 23 Oct 1992, 17:05

[Editor's Note: Agreements reached at this session informed the agenda for further meetings with the other parties.]

Conclusions of the Bilateral Unionist 5 November 1992 1445

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 05 Nov 1992, 14:45

Conclusions of the Bilateral Unionist 5 November 1992 1445

People: British Government Representative

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Brooke/Mayhew Talks 1991-1992, Date: 05 Nov 1992, 14:45

[Editor's Note: Agreements reached at this session informed the agenda for further meetings on this topic.]