- Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00
Northern Ireland Downing Street Joint Declaration (1993)
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.
Butler-Nally Meetings
This committee has been created to model meetings of the Butler/Nally Group, which was one of the key structures in the drafting of the Declaration. From Autumn 1993 onwards, Chilcot and Ó hUiginn were also part of the negotiating team working on the Joint Declaration.
To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.
Session 21866: 1993-12-07 12:00:00
[Exact time unknown] A Butler/Nally meeting was held to discuss the text as it emerged from the Anglo-Irish summit on 3 December 1993.
Membership (at session start):
Robin Butler, John Chilcot, Dermot Nally, Seán Ó hUiginn (4 total)
Representing 2 delegations:
British Government , Irish Government
Imported Documents
- Letter from Albert Reynolds to John Major (6 December 1993) (e1080839) imports from Irish Government,
on Monday, 06 December 1993, at 12:00
Imported Amendments
Exported Documents
- Timing of a Meeting to Issue the Joint Declaration (e1107479)
- Imported by 'Timing of a Meeting to Issue the Joint Declaration' (e1107487) in Irish Government,
on Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00
- Imported by 'Timing of a Meeting to Issue the Joint Declaration' (e1107487) in Irish Government,
- Alternative Announcement of Irish Convention (e1107504)
- Imported by 'Alternative Announcement of Irish Convention' (e1107517) in Irish Government,
on Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'Alternative Announcement of Irish Convention' (e1107518) in British Government,
on Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'Alternative Announcement of Irish Convention' (e1107519) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00
- Imported by 'Alternative Announcement of Irish Convention' (e1107517) in Irish Government,
- Joint Declaration: JD14 (e1079392)
- Imported by 'Joint Declaration: JD15' (e1107349) in British Government,
on Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'Joint Declaration: JD15' (e1107350) in Irish Government,
on Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'Joint Declaration: JD15' (e1107351) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00
- Imported by 'Joint Declaration: JD15' (e1107349) in British Government,
Exported Amendments
- Alternative Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 2(3) (e1100420)
- Imported by 'Alternative Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 2(3)' (e1107352) in British Government,
on
Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'Alternative Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 2(3)' (e1107372) in Irish Government,
on
Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'Alternative Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 2(3)' (e1107378) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on
Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00
- Imported by 'Alternative Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 2(3)' (e1107352) in British Government,
on
- Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 4(1) (e1100471)
- Imported by 'Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 4(1)' (e1107353) in British Government,
on
Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 4(1)' (e1107373) in Irish Government,
on
Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 4(1)' (e1107380) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on
Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00
- Imported by 'Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 4(1)' (e1107353) in British Government,
on
- British Government Amendment to Strike Out Paragraphs 10 and 11 (e1101723)
- Imported by 'British Government Amendment to Strike Out Paragraphs 10 and 11' (e1107368) in British Government,
on
Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'British Government Amendment to Strike Out Paragraphs 10 and 11' (e1107374) in Irish Government,
on
Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00 - Imported by 'British Government Amendment to Strike Out Paragraphs 10 and 11' (e1107382) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on
Tuesday, 07 December 1993, at 12:00
- Imported by 'British Government Amendment to Strike Out Paragraphs 10 and 11' (e1107368) in British Government,
on
Resources (32):
Resource Collections (0):
None
Resource Items (32):
Draft Joint Declaration [Nally's Annotated Draft of JD14B as First Amended on 7 December 1993] - (file)
Photocopied draft Joint Declaration by Reynolds and Major, marked “JD14 showing additions and omissions proposed in Dublin on 3 December”, containing eleven paragraphs, with handwritten comments and notes by Nally. Also labelled as "JD.14B".
Draft Joint Declaration [Nally's Annotated Draft of the Joint Declaration as Amended for the Second Time on 7 December 1993] - (file)
Photocopied draft Joint Declaration by Reynolds and Major, marked" J.D. 15", containing twelve paragraphs, with handwritten amendments, comments and notes by Nally.
Enclosure: Annex A – Alternative Language on Self-Determination - (file)
A note detailing various possibilities for alternative language on self-determination to be incorporated into the text of the Joint Declaration. Annex A of the briefing material enclosed with a covering letter from Quentin Thomas (above).
Enclosure: Annex B – Articles 2 & 3 and Consent - (file)
A note exploring various options for concessions to ask for from the Irish Government in the text of the Joint Declaration, acknowledging the possibility and desirability of amendment of the Irish constitution. Annex A of the briefing material enclosed with a covering letter from Quentin Thomas (above).
Enclosure: Briefing for a Meeting of the Butler/Nally Group on 7 December 1993 - (file)
This briefing begins by restating the ultimate British objectives in these talks, including the constitutional guarantee and the notion of consent. This offers a clear and comprehensive documentation of the British position both generally and specific to certain paragraphs. Indeed, Annex A and B enclosed contain British rewrites of paragraphs concerning self-determination and on Articles Two and Three and consent. The draft that was on the table was JD14.
Enclosure: Briefing on Current British Objectives and the Text of JD14B - (file)
Outlines the developments in the talks process and describes the changes that have been proposed in each paragraph in the text. Includes detailed sections in Annex A and B on negotiations around the paragraphs on the constitutional guarantee and articles 2 and 3 of the Irish constitution. Highlighted.
Enclosure: Briefing on Current British Objectives and the Text of JD14B - (file)
A detailed commentary on JD14B (JD14 incorporating the amendments proposed in Dublin on 3 December 1993 by both sides). Part of the briefing material enclosed with Quentin Thomas' covering letter to Robin Butler (above).
Enclosure: Joint Declaration (JD14B) - (file)
A clean copy of JD14B: the text of JD14 incorporating the amendments proposed by both sides in Dublin on 3 December 1993. Enclosed with Quentin Thomas' covering letter (above) as part of the briefing material for the Butler/Nally meeting.
Enclosure: Joint Declaration (JD15) – 7 December 1993 - (file)
Text of the Joint Declaration with provisionally agreed amendments underlined.
Enclosure: Joint Declaration Draft (JD15) dated 7 December 1993 - (file)
There are some sentences underlined in the text, most predominantly in paragraph 4 and 12, the latter indicates a wholly rewritten paragraph.
Enclosure: Joint Declaration Draft (JD15) Emerging from a Meeting of the Butler/Nally Group on 7 December 1993 - (file)
There are some sentences underlined in the text, most predominantly in paragraph 4 and 12, the latter indicates a wholly rewritten paragraph.
Enclosure: Joint Declaration Draft (JD15) Emerging from a Meeting of the Butler/Nally Group on 7 December 1993 - (file)
There are some sentences underlined in the text, most predominantly in paragraph 4 and 12, the latter indicates a wholly rewritten paragraph.
Enclosure: Joint Declaration Draft (JD15) from 7 December 1993 - (file)
There are some sentences underlined in the text, most predominantly in paragraph 4 and 12, the latter indicates a wholly rewritten paragraph.
Enclosure: Joint Declaration JD14B - (file)
Text of the Joint Declaration with proposed amendments from 3 December 1993 indicated via underlining.
Enclosure: Letter from Albert Reynolds to John Major Following the Anglo-Irish Summit - (file)
A letter from Albert Reynolds to John Major following the Anglo-Irish Summit, urging him to proceed with the Joint Declaration and making the case for maintaining the Irish Convention. Enclosed with the letter above as Annex A.
Fax from Quentin Thomas to Robin Butler Regarding a Briefing for a Meeting of the Butler/Nally Group on 7 December 1993 - (file)
He encloses an official briefing for the meeting, but also offers an outline of several key themes in this covering fax. The constitutional guarantee is central once more, and there is also a proposal that the Joint Declaration be made somewhere on the British Isle rather than the previously agreed European Council meeting. He then goes on to detail a long scenario that could come about if the Irish accept all that they are seeking to propose in the following meeting.
Handwritten Record of Butler/Nally Meeting on 7 December 1993 - (file)
The first page is the wrong way round within the file, as indicated by the numbers at the top. A handwritten note of the Butler/Nally meeting on 7 December 1993, according to pencilled annotation at the top. Goes through the text paragraph by paragraph and also includes some attributed comments. Record seems to be missing pages.
Hidden Copylist for the Letter from Quentin Thomas to Robin Butler - (file)
A hidden copylist for Quentin Thomas' covering letter to Robin Butler and the enclosed briefing material.
Joint Declaration (JD15 – 7 December 1993) - (file)
A clean copy of JD15 as agreed between Butler and Nally on 7 December 1993.
Joint Declaration (JD15) - (file)
A clean copy of JD15 as agreed between Butler and Nally on 7 December 1993.
Joint Declaration (JD15) with Handwritten Annotations - (file)
A copy of JD15 as agreed by Butler and Nally on 7 December 1993, with handwritten annotations glossing and rationalising some of the language and amendments.
Joint Declaration Draft (JD15) Emerging from a Meeting of the Butler/Nally Group on 7 December 1993 with Annotations in Pencil - (file)
Includes some pencil additions. There are some sentences underlined in the text, most predominantly in paragraph 4 and 12, the latter indicates a wholly rewritten paragraph. Sections are crossed out, explaining why later versions of this text are only 6 pages long.
Joint Declaration: JD15 - (file)
A clean copy of JD15 (7 December 1993) with provisionally agreed amendments added in type and underlined.
Letter from Quentin Thomas to Robin Butler Enclosing a Briefing for the Butler/Nally Meeting on 7 December 1993 and JD14B - (file)
JD14B not enclosed. A briefing letter from Quentin Thomas to Robin Butler in advance of his 6 December 1993 meeting with Dermot Nally.
Letter from Quentin Thomas to Robin Butler Enclosing Briefing Material for a Butler/Nally Meeting on 7 December 1993 - (file)
Outlines objectives and considerations for British delegates to keep in mind for their meeting with the Irish delegates for discussions on the Joint Declaration text. Encloses a briefing on the discussions that have taken place so far, detailed notes on the points of constitutional guarantee and articles 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution, and the JD14B text of the Joint declaration with the proposed amendments by the two Governments incorporated and underlined.
Letter from Quentin Thomas to Robin Butler Enclosing Briefing Material for a Butler/Nally Meeting on 7 December 1993 - (file)
Letter from Quentin Thomas to Robin Butler, enclosing a briefing for the Butler/Nally meeting on 7 December 1993. Encloses a copy of JD14B (JD14 with the British and Irish proposed amendments), summarises the key objectives of the meeting, and starts to think about handling suggestions.
Meeting of the Nally-Butler Group – 7 December 1993 [Handwritten] - (file)
Handwritten note by Nally of his meeting with Butler, at the London Cabinet Office on 7 December 1993. Also present at the meeting were Blatherwick, Chilcot, and Thomas. Items discussed include the text of the draft Joint Declaration.
Minute from Roderic Lyne to John Major on the Joint Declaration, 7 December 1993 - (file)
Comments on the discussions around the Joint Declaration and outlines some goals in advance of the release of the statement. Encloses a report by Robin Butler on the Joint Declaration which is not available as an attachment to this file, but is recorded elsewhere in the folder. Annotated.
Record of a Butler/Nally Meeting on 7 December 1993 - (file)
A letter from Robin Butler to John Major recording the Butler/Nally meeting on 7 December 1993. As well as the four usual members of the group (Butler, Nally, Chilcot and Ó hUiginn), Quentin Thomas, David Blatherwick, Noel Dorr and Martin Mansergh attended the meeting. The Irish officials delivered a letter from the Taoiseach. The text of the Joint Declaration was discussed in detail and an amended version worked up, with all amendments ad referendum to Major and Reynolds. The handling of the Declaration was also discussed.
Record of a Butler/Nally Meeting on 7 December 1993 - (file)
Provides an account of the discussion held between delegates from the British and Irish Governments regarding the proposed amendments to the text of the Joint Declaration. Encloses a letter from Albert Reynolds (which is not present in the file), and an annotated version of the text of the Joint Declaration.
Record of a Butler/Nally Meeting on 7 December 1993 - (file)
Meeting between Robin Butler, John Chilcot, David Blatherwick, Dermot Nally, Noel Dorr, Seán Ó hUiginn and Martin Mansergh. Annexes not attached in file.
Working Copy of the Joint Declaration (JD15 – 7 December 1993) as Amended in the Butler/Nally Meeting on 13 December 1993 - (file)
Heavily annotated and includes a new paragraph 11.
Summary of events in this session:
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Procedure:
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Events (117)
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