1. All the Irish people have the inalienable right to the exercise in common of self-determination without external intervention.

2. In practice, the conditions in which this right can be fully exercised will only come about with the agreement and consent of a majority in both parts of Ireland. The British Government has a vital role to play in encouraging the emergence of such conditions.

3. To create that broad-based agreement and consent in Ireland it will be essential to reconcile not only the different traditions on the island, but also to recreate a common sense of purpose amongst the majority who share the goal of an Ireland and its people united, free and at peace.

4. The biggest source of division between Irish people at present, apart from partition itself, is the armed conflict which has resulted in over 2,700 deaths over the last twenty years. The resort to violence and terrorism, rather than to democratic political methods and respect for the rule of law, only increases bitterness and alienation, and makes it more difficult for those who are oppressed to win support for their legitimate rights. Whatever the historical justification, a permanent renunciation of violence and explicit recognition of the legitimate rights of others whilst seeking justice for oneself, are essential preconditions of winning the necessary support to overcome effectively in contemporary conditions persistent injustice and political intransigence.

5. The political structure created by the Government of Ireland Act in 1920 has failed. Attempts in the last twenty years to solve the ensuing problem in an interim way, whilst trying to maintain that structure intact, have also fallen far short of their objective. Political initiatives, the latest of which is the Anglo-Irish Agreement, have only addressed limited aspects of the problem, and at best provide a framework for future progress towards a solution which will transcend it.

6. A round-table constitutional conference, convened by the British and Irish Governments, comprising all the democratic political representatives of the people of Ireland, North and South is required to determine the political arrangements and structures necessary to establish lasting peace, reconciliation and stability in the future. The role of the two Governments will be to support and implement any substantial agreement reached without indefinite guarantees of comprehensive support to any side in the event of failure.

7. Pending agreement on the convening of such a conference a Peace Forum will be convened by the Irish Government, which all parties committed to democracy in Ireland will be eligible to attend. It will meet at regular intervals to determine the best strategy for convincing the British Government and the Unionist people, that their best interests lie in the active encouragement of political accommodation and reconciliation between all those who belong to this island, so as to provide a secure future and increased prosperity for everyone. It will also be the function of the Forum to advise the Government on particular measures that will create justice or contribute to greater confidence between the communities. The Irish Government without prejudice to the continuing exercise of its normal responsibilities will actively promote through its executive organs and representatives any agreed strategy and seek effective support for it from the Irish abroad and from the wider international community.

8. The aim is to reach agreement over a period of time on new arrangements and structures whereby Irish men and women, on their own, without a British military or political presence and with British goodwill will manage the affairs of the whole of Ireland in a constructive partnership within the European Community.

• Discussion Paper Outlining Principles for a Solution and Proposals for a Peace Forum (introduced on 1989-02-01 12:00:00 - CREATE - e1072306) [This document]

• Discussion Paper Outlining Principles for a Solution and Proposals for a Peace Forum (introduced on 1989-02-01 12:00:00 - CREATE - e1072306) [This document] [view current proposal at this moment]