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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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National Archives of Ireland
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Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Cardinal Ó Fiaich] Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Archbishop Eames] Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[The Secretary of State, Peter Brooke] Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
In the light of recent developments, it might be useful to summarise the history of this initiative and provide an update on recent developments, based on my conversations over the weekend with Fr John Murphy, Catholic Chaplain in the Maze.... Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Report from Maze Chaplains on Opportunity for Dialogue Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
As a result of this development, both Cardinal O'Fiaich and Archbishop Eames had a meeting with the Secretary of State on 1 May 1990 where they informed him of the IRA's position. Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
At that meeting, the Secretary of State was apparently taken aback; expressed interest in the initiative; and expressed his anxiety that information on the initiative be kept absolutely quiet for the moment (possibly because of the initiative involving... Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
The sudden death shortly thereafter of Cardinal 0' Fiaich inhibited further development of the initiative. [Editors' Note: Tomás Ó Fiaich died in Toulouse, France on 8 May 1990 while on pilgrimage to Lourdes (Raymond Murray, 'Ó Fiaich, Tomás' in... Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Names of the Army Council Personnel Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Daly thought this an appalling reflection on the credibility of the Chaplains as well as having possible safety implications for both the Chaplains and their contacts. Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Fr Murphy recently commented that Eames had probably initially given his endorsement to the initiative on the basis that it would get nowhere. Now that it showed some possibilities, he felt that Eames probably saw major difficulties in selling... Tuesday May 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Cardinal Cahal Daly] Saturday September 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Growing frustration with Archbishop Eames' inertia led Bishop Cahal Daly to take action himself by seeking a meeting with the Secretary of State in September. Saturday September 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
At that meeting Brooke again expressed an interest in the initiative Saturday September 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Further and More Detailed Meeting Saturday September 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Editors' Note: The meeting was arranged.] Saturday September 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Recent Developments: Since then there have been further contacts with the IRA who have expressed continuing interest in talks with the British - either in public or in private and assured the Chaplains that "they would not be found wanting" in any such... Saturday September 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Editors' Note: Modelled from a brief history of the Maze Chaplains' initiative by Brendan McMahon, written on 12 November 1990.] Saturday September 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Father John Murphy] Wednesday October 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Reverend Will Murphy] Wednesday October 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[...] in the absence of Bishop Daly in Rome the Chaplains decided "to take the bull by the horns" and sought a face-to-face meeting with Sir John Blelloch at the end of last month. Wednesday October 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Sir John Blelloch] Wednesday October 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Danny McNeil] Wednesday October 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
That meeting, which lasted several hours, involved Blelloch and the new head of the Political Affairs Department of the NIO (Danny McNeill). Wednesday October 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Editors' Note: We have no record of the discussions at this meeting.] Wednesday October 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Editors' Note: Modelled from a brief history of the Maze Chaplains' initiative by Brendan McMahon, written on 12 November 1990.] Wednesday October 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
The previous day (9 November) the Prison Service held its annual Remembrance Day Service at the Training Centre in Millisle. Fr Murphy studiously avoids such occasions and did so again this year. Traditionally, Ministers rarely attend the Service.... Friday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
McNeill sought out the Chaplains at a recent routine lunch meeting devoted to Prison issues. After the meeting, McNeill asked both of them to stay back. Friday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
He told them (a) that the original approaches by the church leaders had been fully understood; (b) that they must understand that they (the British) would have to go public on this - something which at the time worried both Chaplains but which they now... Friday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Future Developments: Both Chaplains were delighted with Brooke's speech on 9 November which they see as reflecting much of the language of their discussions to date. Friday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
2. It will be recalled that the peace initiative of the Catholic and Church of Ireland Chaplains at the Maze (both of whom are named Murphy) had apparently reached a stage where, in return for "meaningful talks" with the British, the IRA were prepared... Tuesday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Urgent Response from the British Required Tuesday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Bishop Daly said that he had requested a private meeting, without civil servants present, with the Secretary of State. Tuesday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
The first meeting was with the then (now retired) Under Secretary of the NIO, John Blelloch, who was accompanied by John McConnell (the NIO's contact man with the Catholic community); Tuesday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
British Questions Regarding "Meaningful Dialogue" Tuesday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
5. The above series of questions strongly suggested to Bishop Daly that the British, at civil service level, were in the process of preparing a paper on the possibility of talks with the Provisionals. The next step will involve the Chaplains meeting... Tuesday November 1990Committee: British Government
[Editors' Note: The speech was delivered and published.] Friday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
8. In closing the Bishop agreed with PUS that it would be helpful if Government were to continue to take opportunities to point up again the messages in the "British Presence" speech though he appreciated that it would not be sensible to repeat these... Wednesday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
Following his meeting with the Secretary of State, Bishop Daly was contacted by the NIO and two meetings at senior official level were subsequently arranged. Tuesday November 1990Committee: British-Maze Chaplains
[Editors' Note: 'John McConnell (the NIO' s contact man with the Catholic community)'] Tuesday November 1990Committee: Hume-Adams
John Hume made contact briefly on Thursday evening to fill me in on his meeting the previous day with Gerry Adams. He said he will take an early opportunity to brief the Taoiseach in private on the meeting - the other SDLP members are not aware,... Wednesday November 1990Committee: Hume-Adams
An alternative strategy to violence Wednesday November 1990Committee: Hume-Adams
If he was convinced that the South was serious, and it was possible to devise such an alternative strategy, he would be prepared to go to the Army Council and argue in support of this approach. Wednesday November 1990Committee: Hume-Adams
Discuss an alternative strategy to violence with the Irish government Wednesday November 1990Committee: Hume-Adams
[Editors' Note: Hume discussed his meeting with Adams with Dermot Gallagher, the Taoiseach, and later the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.] Wednesday November 1990Committee: Irish-Hume Bilaterals
[John Hume] Thursday November 1990Committee: Irish-Hume Bilaterals
[Dermot Gallagher] Thursday November 1990Committee: Irish-Hume Bilaterals
SECRET Discussion with John Hume, 29th November, 1990 1. John Hume made contact briefly on Thursday evening to fill me in on his meeting the previous day with Gerry Adams. Thursday November 1990Committee: Irish-Hume Bilaterals
An alternative strategy to violence Thursday November 1990Committee: Irish-Hume Bilaterals
Private meeting between Hume and the Taoiseach Thursday November 1990Committee: Irish-Hume Bilaterals
[Editors' Note: We have no record of the subsequent meeting with the Taoiseach. Hume followed up on the Adams proposal directly with Gallagher the following week and no reference was made to a meeting with the Taoiseach which may suggest it did not take place.] Thursday November 1990Committee: British-Hume Bilaterals
SECRET Telephone Conversation with John Hume 6th December, 1990 1. John Hume telephoned yesterday evening to say that he had briefed Peter Brooke privately at Westminster about his recent meeting with Gerry Adams. Wednesday December 1990Committee: British-Hume Bilaterals
Brooke was accompanied only by his Private Secretary. Wednesday December 1990Committee: British-Hume Bilaterals
Brooke was accompanied only by his Private Secretary. Wednesday December 1990Committee: British-Hume Bilaterals
An alternative strategy to violence Wednesday December 1990