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  1. Overview: Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993)
  2. Full Record: Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993)
  3. Irish Government Document Library

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993)

This project models the series of formal and informal negotiations which led to the publication, in December 1993, of a declaration issued jointly by the British and Irish Governments. The Joint Declaration was a critical policy document which paved the way for a ceasefire and the entry of Sinn Féin into formal talks. It also laid out a shared set of principles – including, crucially, self-determination for the people of Ireland subject to the consent of the people of Northern Ireland – which would come to underpin the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and provide a framework for its ratification.

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Paragraph 4 of JD8 as Revised by Thomas and Ó hUiginn

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 24 Sep 1993, 12:00

Paragraph 4 of JD8 as Revised by Thomas and Ó hUiginn

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 24 Sep 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: This draft of the Joint Declaration is taken from the Dermot Nally papers. It has been provisionally dated to the 24th September by hand, but it clearly follows the meeting with Thomas. It appears to have first taken on the amendments...

Irish Government Line after Meeting John Hume

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Oct 1993, 12:00

Irish Government Line after Meeting John Hume

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Oct 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: The removal of the word 'suggested' by hand implies that this was the final version of the statement.]

Joint Declaration: JD11

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Oct 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration: JD11

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Oct 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: It is clear from the text of JD12 that the Taoiseach agreed to most of these amendments, but not all of them, chiefly the removal of 'freely and collectively', which was reinstated here. The wording for the various sections in square...

New Final Paragraph: "Non-Paper"

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 12 Dec 1993, 09:00

New Final Paragraph: "Non-Paper"

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 12 Dec 1993, 09:00

[Editors' Note: The version of the final paragraph discussed during this meeting was the 'non-paper' tabled by Roderic Lyne.]

Letter by Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich for the Proposal Document "Pastoral Response to the Present Conflict" by Father Alec Reid and Father Raymon Murray

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 25 Nov 1989, 12:00

Letter by Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich for the Proposal Document "Pastoral Response to the Present Conflict" by Father Alec Reid and Father Raymon Murray

Letter from Father Alec Reid and Father Raymond Murray to John Hume Regarding Their Proposal Document "Pastoral Response to the Present Conflict" on the 23 October 1989

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 25 Nov 1989, 12:00

Letter from Father Alec Reid and Father Raymond Murray to John Hume Regarding Their Proposal Document "Pastoral Response to the Present Conflict" on the 23 October 1989

Proposal for a Democratic Over-all Political and Diplomatic Strategy

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 25 Nov 1989, 12:00

Proposal for a Democratic Over-all Political and Diplomatic Strategy

Note on Possible Institutional Arrangements between North and South

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 10 Mar 1993, 12:00

Note on Possible Institutional Arrangements between North and South

People: Dermot Nally

Joint Declaration: Early Draft

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 29 Mar 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration: Early Draft

A New Approach to the Northern Ireland Problem?

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 20 Apr 1993, 12:00

A New Approach to the Northern Ireland Problem?

People: Noel Dorr

Speaking Notes on JD6

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 06 Jun 1993, 12:00

Speaking Notes on JD6

Some Briefing Points on the Draft Declaration

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 29 Jun 1993, 12:00

Some Briefing Points on the Draft Declaration

People: Martin Mansergh

British Government: Ten Principles

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 14 Jul 1993, 12:00

British Government: Ten Principles

British Commentary on JD6

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 14 Jul 1993, 12:00

British Commentary on JD6

Principles for Inclusion in a Joint Declaration

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 14 Jul 1993, 12:00

Principles for Inclusion in a Joint Declaration

Notes on Recent Meeting

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 23 Jul 1993, 12:00

Notes on Recent Meeting

People: Martin Mansergh

Principles for Inclusion in a Joint Declaration

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 01 Sep 1993, 12:00

Principles for Inclusion in a Joint Declaration

Constitutional Issues

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 01 Sep 1993, 12:00

Constitutional Issues

Resolution to Mandate the Liaison Group to Create a Joint Framework Document

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 10 Sep 1993, 12:00

Resolution to Mandate the Liaison Group to Create a Joint Framework Document

Resolution to Use the Language from the Joint Framework Document to Solve Paragraph 4

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 10 Sep 1993, 12:00

Resolution to Use the Language from the Joint Framework Document to Solve Paragraph 4

Reflections on Possible Constitutional Change

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 15 Sep 1993, 12:00

Reflections on Possible Constitutional Change

People: Martin Mansergh

Hume/Adams Statement (2)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 22 Sep 1993, 18:00

Hume/Adams Statement (2)

Framework Agreement

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 24 Sep 1993, 12:00

Framework Agreement

Four Building Blocks for a Joint Declaration (Paragraph 4)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 24 Sep 1993, 12:00

Four Building Blocks for a Joint Declaration (Paragraph 4)

Hume-Adams Statement (25 September 1993)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 25 Sep 1993, 12:00

Hume-Adams Statement (25 September 1993)

Note on the Joint Declaration Initiative (30 September 1993)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 30 Sep 1993, 12:00

Note on the Joint Declaration Initiative (30 September 1993)

People: Dermot Nally

Framework Agreement [First British Draft as Discussed in Liaison Group on 1 October 1993]

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 01 Oct 1993, 12:00

Framework Agreement [First British Draft as Discussed in Liaison Group on 1 October 1993]

Reply from John Major to Albert Reynolds (24 September 1993)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 01 Oct 1993, 12:00

Reply from John Major to Albert Reynolds (24 September 1993)

Questions Surrounding the Joint Declaration Initiative as Discussed by Thomas and Ó hUiginn on 1 October 1993

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 01 Oct 1993, 12:00

Questions Surrounding the Joint Declaration Initiative as Discussed by Thomas and Ó hUiginn on 1 October 1993

Letter from John Major to Albert Reynolds Outlining His Decision Not to Proceed with JD12

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 20 Oct 1993, 12:00

Letter from John Major to Albert Reynolds Outlining His Decision Not to Proceed with JD12

Joint Statement by the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister (29 October 1993)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 29 Oct 1993, 12:00

Joint Statement by the Taoiseach and the Prime Minister (29 October 1993)

Briefing Points on the Joint Declaration (JD13)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 09 Nov 1993, 12:00

Briefing Points on the Joint Declaration (JD13)

Joint Declaration: JD14

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 16 Nov 1993, 18:00

Joint Declaration: JD14

Joint Declaration: Alternative British Draft

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 26 Nov 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration: Alternative British Draft

Joint Declaration: JD14

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 03 Dec 1993, 18:00

Joint Declaration: JD14

Joint Declaration: JD15

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Dec 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration: JD15

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 10 Dec 1993, 11:00

[Editors' Note: Further amendments were proposed to JD15.]

Alternative Announcement of Irish Convention

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Dec 1993, 12:00

Alternative Announcement of Irish Convention

Loyalist List of Rights and Principles

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 08 Dec 1993, 09:00

Loyalist List of Rights and Principles

Joint Declaration: JD15

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 10 Dec 1993, 18:00

Joint Declaration: JD15

Timing of a Meeting to Issue the Joint Declaration

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 10 Dec 1993, 18:00

Timing of a Meeting to Issue the Joint Declaration

Secure Civil and Ecclesiastic Support for the Joint Declaration

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 10 Dec 1993, 18:00

Secure Civil and Ecclesiastic Support for the Joint Declaration

Press Line

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 10 Dec 1993, 18:00

Press Line

Joint Declaration: JD15

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 13 Dec 1993, 10:00

Joint Declaration: JD15

Alternative Paragraphs 10-12

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 13 Dec 1993, 17:00

Alternative Paragraphs 10-12

Discussion Paper Outlining Principles for a Solution and Proposals for a Peace Forum

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 01 Jan 1989, 00:00

Discussion Paper Outlining Principles for a Solution and Proposals for a Peace Forum

People: Martin Mansergh

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 01 Jan 1989, 00:00

[Editors' Note: The document was sent to Father Alec Reid.]

Irish Draft Communiqué for Meeting between John Major and Charles Haughey

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 03 Dec 1991, 12:00

Irish Draft Communiqué for Meeting between John Major and Charles Haughey

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 03 Dec 1991, 12:00

[Editor's note: The draft communique was handed by Dermot Nally to the British Ambassador on 3 December 1991.]

Joint Declaration: JD2

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 16 Dec 1991, 12:00

Joint Declaration: JD2

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 16 Dec 1991, 12:00

[Editors' Note: The editors do not have evidence of exactly on what date or by whom JD2 was created, but documents from the National Archives show that it was shown to Robin Butler by Dermot Nally for the first time on 16 December 1991.]

Joint Declaration: JD6

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 06 Jun 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration: JD6

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 06 Jun 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: JD6 was handed over to the British Government in a meeting between Reynolds and Butler on 6 June 1993.]

Aide-Mémoire from the Irish Government Accompanying JD6

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 06 Jun 1993, 12:00

Aide-Mémoire from the Irish Government Accompanying JD6

People: Albert Reynolds

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 06 Jun 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: The Irish Government aide-mémoire was handed over to the British Government in a meeting between Reynolds and Butler on 6 June 1993.]

Resolution to Negotiate on JD6 as an Irish Government Proposal

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 23 Jul 1993, 12:00

Resolution to Negotiate on JD6 as an Irish Government Proposal

People: Martin Mansergh

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 23 Jul 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: This course of action is put to the British Government.]

Letter from Albert Reynolds to John Major (7 September 1993)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Sep 1993, 12:00

Letter from Albert Reynolds to John Major (7 September 1993)

People: Albert Reynolds

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Sep 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: This letter was sent to John Major on 7 September 1993.]

Joint Declaration: JD8

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 24 Sep 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration: JD8

People: Martin Mansergh Seán Ó hUiginn Albert Reynolds Dermot Nally

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 01 Oct 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: The updated draft of the Joint Declaration was handed over to Quentin Thomas by Seán Ó hUiginn on 1 October 1993, where it became JD9 in the British numbering system. The version below contains a few transcription errors, which we have...

Updated Paragraph 4 (28 September 1993)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 28 Sep 1993, 12:00

Updated Paragraph 4 (28 September 1993)

People: Seán Ó hUiginn

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 28 Sep 1993, 12:00

As conveyed by O hUiginn on 28.9.93

Joint Declaration: JD9

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 01 Oct 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration: JD9

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 06 Oct 1993, 11:14

[Editors' Note: This was the version of the text (JD10) shared with the British delegation during the Butler/Nally meeting on 6 October 1993.]

Possible Reference in Paragraph 3 to Abiding by All Principles of the 1985 Agreement

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 04 Oct 1993, 12:00

Possible Reference in Paragraph 3 to Abiding by All Principles of the 1985 Agreement

People: Albert Reynolds Seán Ó hUiginn

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 04 Oct 1993, 12:00

[...] On the assumption that the "constitutional guarantee" is included* [...] *It will not be. O hUiginn phoned to warn that the Taoiseach thinks this will make the text unsaleable. Could we, he asked, live with a reference in paragraph 3 to abiding...

Irish Government Line after Meeting John Hume

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 05 Oct 1993, 12:00

Irish Government Line after Meeting John Hume

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 06 Oct 1993, 11:14

[Editors' Note: It seems that this document was taken to the Butler-Nally meeting and annotated/amended there, although it is unclear whether or not the exact text was shared with the British delegation.]

Joint Declaration

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Oct 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Oct 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: This version of the Joint Declaration was confirmed over a phone call between Quentin Thomas and Seán Ó hUiginn on 8 October 1993.]

Joint Declaration: JD12

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 20 Oct 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration: JD12

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 20 Oct 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: The decision Reynolds had reached during the meeting with Butler to show JD12 to Archbishop Eames was confirmed. See also s21726.]

Speech by Dick Spring in the Dáil Debate on Northern Ireland (27 October 1993)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 27 Oct 1993, 20:00

Speech by Dick Spring in the Dáil Debate on Northern Ireland (27 October 1993)

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 27 Oct 1993, 20:00

[Editors' Note: This speech was discussed in various committees.]

Joint Declaration: Eames' Additions

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 02 Nov 1993, 12:00

Joint Declaration: Eames' Additions

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 09 Nov 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: This is the version of the Joint Declaration which was sent to Quentin Thomas on 9 November 1993 as JD13. This draft incorporates the amendments proposed by Eames on 2 November 1993, with some changes and additions presumably made by...

Letter from Albert Reynolds to John Major (11 November 1993)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 11 Nov 1993, 12:00

Letter from Albert Reynolds to John Major (11 November 1993)

People: Albert Reynolds

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 11 Nov 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: This letter was drafted and sent following the Butler/Nally meeting on 10 November 1993, where the British delegation made it clear that their instructions were still not to engage with JD13.]

Letter from Albert Reynolds to Jim Molyneaux

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 16 Nov 1993, 12:00

Letter from Albert Reynolds to Jim Molyneaux

People: Albert Reynolds

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 16 Nov 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: Robin Eames reported to John Major on 18 November 1993 that Albert Reynolds had given him a letter to hand over to Jim Molyneaux. Since we know that Eames and Reynolds met on 16 November 1993, we have inferred that the letter was...

Letter from Albert Reynolds to John Major (6 December 1993)

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 06 Dec 1993, 12:00

Letter from Albert Reynolds to John Major (6 December 1993)

People: Albert Reynolds

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 06 Dec 1993, 12:00

[Editors' Note: This letter was handed over during a Butler/Nally meeting on 7 December 1993.]

Timing of a Meeting to Issue the Joint Declaration

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Dec 1993, 12:00

Timing of a Meeting to Issue the Joint Declaration

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 07 Dec 1993, 12:00

- on the timing of the meeting to launch the Joint Declaration, Mansergh said that the Irish preference was now to look for a date early next week. This was because of their concern that delay would leave the deal vulnerable to external pressures. He...

Note on the Likelihood of Success of the Joint Declaration

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 13 Dec 1993, 09:00

Note on the Likelihood of Success of the Joint Declaration

People: Albert Reynolds

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 13 Dec 1993, 09:00

He would like the Prime Minister to know, before he goes into the meeting of Ministers this morning on the Declaration, that if these changes were agreed in paragraphs 10 and 11, and paragraph 12 omitted, the Declaration would stand a very good chance...

Agreement on Legal Status of Joint Declaration

Creator event:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 13 Dec 1993, 10:00

Agreement on Legal Status of Joint Declaration

Last decision:

Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993), Date: 13 Dec 1993, 10:00

[Editors' Note: We do not have a record of this meeting. The text below is taken from Robin Butler's minute of his conversation with Dermot Nally at 15.45 on the same day.] 2. On the substance, Mr Nally handed on the following messages: i[.] no...