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Writing Peace: The National Archives of the UK (TNA)

Enclosure: Irish Draft Communique on the Meeting between John Major and Charles Haughey on 4 December 1991

Tuesday, 03 December 1991

i24121

Text of the Irish draft communique on the meeting between John Major and Charles Haughey with Peter Brooke, Tristan Garel-Jones, Gerry Collins and Bertie Ahern present, which is scheduled for 4 December 1991. Some text is either missing or presented tentatively in brackets, to be adjusted based on the outcome of the talks.

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REVISED DRAFT

Meeting between the Taoiseach , Mr. Charles J. Haughey, T.D.,

and the Prime Minister The Rt. Hon. John Major, M.P.

1. The Taoiseach and Prime Minister met in Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday, 4 December, 1991. They discussed a range of issues including the negotiations, within the European Community, to prepare for the forthcoming European Council at Maastricht, and issues in Anglo-Irish relations with particular reference to Northern Ireland.

2. The Taoiseach was accompanied at the meeting by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gerard Collins, T.D. and the Minister for Finance, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Rt. Hon. Peter Brooke, M.P., Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Mr. Tristan Garel-Jones, M.P., Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with particular responsibility for European Community affairs.

European Community - (to be refined following Conclave)

3. [The Taoiseach and Prime Minister were in agreement as to the benefits of membership of the Community for Ireland and Britain, both economically and in their international relations. They look forward to the development of European Union, through the transformation of the relations as a whole among the States of the Community. Among the matters discussed in this context were issues in relation to cohesion, social policy, European Parliament, majority voting, the development of a common foreign and security policy and economic and monetary union.]

Northern Ireland

4. The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister had a full discussion of current issues in Anglo-Irish relations, with particular reference to Northern Ireland. They confirmed the unique character of the relations between the two islands, shaped by a complex and eventful history. They recognised the urgent need to overcome the legacy of past conflicts and differences in the interests of all the people of these islands. They affirmed the intention of both Governments to develop a relationship of closer mutual understanding and cooperation, in line with the intensive human contacts between the two peoples, the importance to both countries of their economic links, their role as partners in the Anglo-Irish Agreement and their common membership of the European Community.

5. They re-affirmed their determination to do everything possible to promote agreement and reconciliation and their support for a process of political dialogue based on the totality of relationships between the two countries. They appealed to all parties concerned to join constructively in the search for a solution which would accommodate both traditions in Ireland. They expressed the determination of both Governments that the scope and pace of efforts to find a solution will be fully commensurate with the gravity and complexity of the problems.

6. The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister had an exchange of views on the current security situation in Northern Ireland with particular reference to the recent escalation in the level of violence and in sectarian murders. They reiterated their condemnation of violence and emphasised the appalling human suffering and the unemployment and social and economic damage it is causing.

7. They also discussed the ongoing programme of security co-operation. They re-affirmed the commitment of their Governments to maintaining the high level of co-operation already existing and ensuring by all lawful means that those who resort to terrorism will not succeed.

8. The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister discussed a range of bilateral economic issues. They are conscious of the opportunities and challenges which will open up for both countries and both parts of Ireland with the removal of economic barriers throughout the Community, and progress towards European Union. They underlined the potential for North/South cooperation in areas such as services, energy, trade, tourism, health, agriculture, planning and transport and other infrastructure.

9. The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister agreed that the special nature and depth of the Anglo-Irish relationship make it desirable to hold meetings at Head of Government level on a regular basis.

10. They decided to initiate a comprehensive review of all aspects of Anglo-Irish relations with a a view to assessing the potential for future progress in all of the areas discussed. They agreed that this review should be undertaken at official level and will consider the outcome at their next bilateral meeting, which they envisage will take place in the first half of next year.