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This collection was scanned and the metadata was recorded by Ruth Murray, Isha Pareek, Annabel Harris and Eleanor Williams.
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{FROM Informal Min. brief 5.9.96 7}
_Tánaiste's Meeting with Secretary of State Mayhew, Dublin, 5 September 1996_ _Workplan for Decommissioning Steering Note_
1. The British side handed over the attached draft Workplan on Decommissioning (dated 7 August 1996) on 2 September 1996. They expressed the hope that it might be possible to adhere to the agreed approach of the two Governments whereby a sub committee on decommissioning would be established alongside the three strands of the multi-party talks. They see the "Workplan" as a way of encouraging the unionists to agree to such an approach and also envisage that the two Governments might publish their draft enabling legislation on decommissioning to encourage further unionist acquiescence in the sub committee. D/Justice advise that at a meeting of the Dalton-Chilcott sub-group on 3 September the British indicated that they are working to a target of having their Bill cleared by Ministers and ready for publication by _16 September_.
2. The British draft of a Workplan reflects this emphasis on early publication of the two Governments' draft legislation. It is also somewhat unclear on the relationship between the work of the Sub Committee and (i) the plenary and three strands and (ii) action to be taken by the two Governments. It has relatively weak references to other confidence building measures identified as necessary by the Report of the International Body.
3. The Department of Justice shares this Department's view that publication of the draft legislation _before_ the establishment of the Sub Committee on decommissioning might well not serve to secure unionist agreement to that Sub Committee and could lead to a protracted discussion on decommissioning in the opening plenary\, thus delaying the start of substantive three-stranded talks. A re-draft of the British Workplan (elaborated with D/Justice) is attached. It proposes that the draft legislation would be published after the Sub Committee (in "agreed mechanism") is established. This re-draft also puts more emphasis on the Sub Committee reporting to the plenary throughout the talks process (in advance of any actual decommissioning) and on confidence building.
4. The Tánaiste may wish to refer to this re-draft and suggest to the Secretary of State that further work be undertaken at official level.
Security Section Anglo-Irish Division 4 September 1996
{IRISH} _DRAFT_ 4/9/1996
_WORKPLAN FOR FURTHER PROGRESS ON DECOMMISSIONING_
_Opening Plenary_
(3.) Consideration of International Body's proposals on decommissioning and mechanisms necessary to enable further progress to be made on decommissioning alongside negotiations in the three strands
(5b.) Establishment of whatever mechanisms to enable further progress to be made on decommissioning are agreed pursuant to the consideration at item 3
_Workplan for the Mechanism Established to Enable Further Progress to be made on Decommissioning_
1. _Consideration of the Necessary Conditions for Decommissioning:_ Consideration of the relationship between the three-stranded talks and decommissioning;
2. _Enabling Legislation:_ Consideration of draft legislative proposals\, to be published by both Governments following establishment of the agreed mechanism\, to provide the legislative framework to implement the International Body's report;
3. _Other Confidence-Building Measures:_ Consideration of other aspects of the International Body's report which participants may regard as relevant;
4. _Report to Plenary on Outcome of Consideration of Items 1-3_
5. _Modalities_: Consideration of options for a decommissioning scheme to include the composition and role of an Independent Commission on the basis of the guidelines contained in paras. 36-50 of the International Body's report;
6. _Other Confidence-Building Measures_: Recommendations to the two Governments on confidence-building measures which will assist in securing progress on decommissioning;
7. _Report to Plenary on Outcome of Consideration of Items 5-6_
8. _Phasing and Sequencing_: Consideration of the phasing and sequencing necessary to secure balanced mutual decommissioning and a progressive pattern of mounting trust and confidence;
9. _Report to Plenary on Outcome of Consideration of Item 8_
10. _Review of Progress Achieved_: Provision would also be made for the agreed mechanism to review at appropriate stages progress made in regard to
- enactment of enabling legislation; - finalisation of detailed scheme for decommissioning\, including any necessary subordinate legislation; - the establishment of the Independent Commission; - implementation of mutual confidence-building measures; - promulgation and activation of orders/regulations; - actual decommissioning.
3
72 1996 - 1997
23 1996 - 1996
3
52 1992 - 1996
48 1996 - 1996
2
75 1996 - 1996
11 1996 - 1996
3
91 1996 - 1996
34 1996 - 1996
11 1996 - 1996
2
11 1996 - 1996
28 1996 - 1996
This document contains a record of a meeting between the British and Irish Governments from 2 September 1996, where the British side handed the Irish side a draft workplan for the subcommittee on decommissioning. The workplan, which is enclosed in the document, includes points on mechanisms for achieving progress on decommissioning. These points include the consideration of the necessary conditions for decommissioning, enabling legislation, confidence building measures, consideration of the phasing and sequencing for mutual decommissioning, etc.
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The National Archives of Ireland have kindly granted the Quill Project interim permission to publish our research scans, despite not meeting their usual reproduction standards. This agreement does not cover any re-publication or manipulation of these images. Any enquiries about reproductions should be directed to the National Archives of Ireland.
This document was created by Irish Government civil servants in the course of their duties and therefore falls under Irish Government Copyright. The Irish Government is committed to the European Communities (Re-Use of Public Sector Information) Regulations.NAI, 2021/106/16, accessed via the Quill Project at https://www.quillproject.net/resource_collections/353/resource_item/29615.