Draft 5.11.92

AGREED STATEMENT (incorporating references to an Irish Genera Election)

1. The Talks participants at a Plenary meeting on [4] November took account of the fact that a General Election is to take place on 26 November in one of the two jurisdictions. They considered that in these circumstances the Talks should be suspended for a limited period, following the precedent established in the case of the British General Election earlier this year. They agreed to resume the process of dialogue within some weeks of the formation of a new Irish Government on the basis of the statement of March 26th 1991, on the understanding that the two Governments taking account of discussions in the meantime with the NI party leaders will have agreed a further interval between meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference at that point, to enable dialogue to resume on the same basis as heretofore.

2. We record our deep gratitude to Sir Ninian Stephen, who chaired Strand 2 of the Talks from 6 July onwards, and who in the latter stages has, with the agreement of all the participants, presided over discussion of issues ranging across all three strands of the Talks. We appreciate and welcome Sir Ninian Stephen's readiness to chair the resumed Talks. We also thank the Australian Government for agreeing to make Sir Ninian available for this task and providing a senior official to support him in his role.

3. The Talks have seen substantive and detailed engagement on issues of the first importance. In Strand 1 the Northern Ireland parties, together with the British Government, have reached provisional agreement on common themes and on principles which should underlie any new political institutions in Northern Ireland, and examined possible structures for new political institutions in Northern Ireland. In Strand 2, all six delegations have examined constitutional issues; the questions of identity and allegiance; possible structures for increased communication, co-operation and working together within the island of Ireland; the scope for enhanced social and economic co-operation within the island of Ireland; security; and a range of other important issues. In Strand 3 the two Governments, in liaison with the other participants, have addressed possible principles for a new and more broadly-based agreement and possible intergovernmental arrangements.

4. The 26 March statement recorded that all the parties accepted that nothing would be finally agreed in any of the three strands of the Talks until everything was agreed in the Talks as a whole, and that confidentiality would be maintained to that end. We have established much common ground. We believe that a comprehensive accommodation is attainable although we have not resolved all the fundamental differences between us.

5. It is fundamental that, in accordance with democratic principles, constitutional and political differences should be resolved by peaceful means. We categorically affirm our total abhorrence of, and opposition to, all forms of terrorism from whatever source or for whatever motive. Such criminal activity must be dealt with in accordance with the rule of law through its impartial and effective enforcement by the relevant authorities. Any new institutional arrangements should be conducive to ending terrorism, maintaining and advancing effective security co-operation, promoting justice and achieving lasting peace andstability.

6. We accept and affirm that there are at least two distinct communal identities within Northern Ireland reflecting the two major traditions in the island of Ireland. Each needs to be given respect and recognition by the other so that they can be appropriately accommodated in any new political structures, taking account of the wider framework of relationships within these islands. Each individual and community has the right to define their own identity ;and that right and identity should be respected. We reaffirm that any new political institutions should be such as to give expression to the identity and validity of each main tradition. We are all committed to encouraging a healing process in which differences will be respected and divisions healed by agreement.

7. Any comprehensive agreement resulting from the Talks should reflect a shared understanding of the constitutional issues which achieves a balanced accommodation of the differing positions of the two main traditions.

8. Our discussions have confirmed the analysis underlying the 26 March statement that for Northern Ireland the internal and external relationships are interlinked, and that in order to be stable and acceptable a political accommodation is required which gives adequate expression to the totality of relationships described in that statement.

Strand I

9. Northern Ireland should as far as practicable be governed through institutions accountable to people who live there, under arrangements which afford the opportunity for democratically elected representatives from all sides of the community to play a full part. The British Government is of course accountable through Parliament at Westminster, but in the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland these arrangements are not ideal for many local issues and there is scope for giving locally accountable representatives a fuller role to play.

10. Any such institutions should include an elected body with powers in respect of matters within its sphere of responsibility. The method of election should be proportional representation with a single transferable vote.

11. Any new political institutions in Northern Ireland should be:

a. based on democratic principles and reflect the wishes of the electorate;

b. widely acceptable, in particular in the sense of providing an appropriate and equitable role for both sides of the community, such that both the main parts of the Northern Ireland community should be able to identify with them and feel that their representatives have a meaningful function to perform;

c. stable and durable in the sense of not being dependent on a particular election result or political deal. The system should, so far as possible, be self sustaining;

d. capable of development, in response to changing political realities, with the agreement of all concerned;

e. workable, in the sense of being as straightforward to operate as possible;

f. such as to avoid any entrenchment of the main community division and to encourage the development of a society in which both main traditions would be respected;

g. such as to provide all constitutional political parties with the opportunity to achieve a role at each level of responsibility, and to have a position proportional to their electoral strength in broad terms;

h. able to function effectively, efficiently and decisively within clearly defined areas of responsibility;

i. innovative, in the sense of learning from and not merely model led on any previous arrangements;

j. established within a defined relationship with UK institutions;

k. competent to manage any relationship developed in Strand 2of the Talks;

l. capable of developing a direct relationship with EC institutions;

m. capable of developing relationships with any developed institutions in Great Britain present or future;

n. capable of securing public endorsement;

o. consistent with the maximum possible delegation of authority;

p. such as to ensure the greatest possible degree of parliamentary scrutiny of and public accountability for the exercise of powers of government within Northern Ireland.

12. Any new political and other structures for Northern Ireland should acknowledge and, as far as possible, give expression to the cultural, religious and political diversity of the people there.

13. Greater formal protection for civil and human rights would be desirable. Further consideration needs to be given to the form of such protection.

Strands 2 and 3

14. Good and harmonious relations between the two parts of the island of Ireland - Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - should be furthered. Practical co-operation in their mutual interest should be encouraged. We agree on the need for structured arrangements to facilitate the desired communication and co-operation. We have identified a wide range of matters as fruitful areas for enhanced co-operation.

15. We accept that agreement on any such structured arrangements, the resolution of outstanding issues on new political institutions in Northern Ireland, and the resolution of outstanding constitutional issues, are inter-dependent. Subject to that, any such structural arrangements should be designed to enhance the economic and social well-being of people in both parts of the island of Ireland, foster understanding and trust between the two traditions, and recognise and express their identities. They should go beyond facilitation of ad hoc contacts, and should provide structures for communication and co-operation. The nature and extent of the functions to be exercised in these structures, and the level of representation, would be determined according to the subject matter. Decisions would be taken only by consensus. There would need to be accountability for decisions taken and funds expended. Such structures should have capacity for dynamic development by agreement. Further consideration needs to be given to a range of important issues, including the nature of the authority exercised within such structures; the means of ensuring financial and political accountability; and the relationship between the inter-parliamentary element of such arrangements and the structures which are established to promote contact and co-operation between those exercising executive responsibilities in the two parts of Ireland.

16. If our further discussions achieved the basis of 'a new beginning' in the relationship between the two traditions in Ireland, and if agreement on a fair and honourable accommodation between them were to entail any constitutional consequences, then the Irish Government declares that it could approach the Irish electorate to endorse proposed constitutional changes with the hope and prospect of a positive response.

17. If our further discussions are successful, they will require anew agreement between the two sovereign Governments. This should be more broadly based, reflecting the totality of relationships, and with a formal input for new political institutions in Northern Ireland.

18. All the Talks participants agree on the importance of maintaining and advancing effective security co-operation, and of securing and sustaining the full confidence of all members of the community towards the security forces. Further study is needed as to how to achieve these goals. This should include consideration of the input from elected representatives in Northern Ireland.

Endorsement

19. The widest possible public endorsement should be sought for any comprehensive accommodation resulting from further Talks, both in Northern Ireland and more widely as appropriate.

• Joint Statement Draft 5 November 1992 (introduced on 1992-11-05 09:00:00 - CREATE - e844148) [This document] [view current proposal at this moment]
  • None (introduced on 1992-11-05 09:00:00 - REPORT_PROPOSAL - e844149) [view current proposal at this moment]