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.
This committee has been created to model internal British Government documents and meetings.
To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.
[Exact time unknown] Quentin Thomas submitted briefing material in advance of a Butler/Nally meeting on 7 December 1993.
Membership (at session start):
Michael Ancram, Kenneth Baker, Tony Beeton, David Blatherwick, John Blelloch, Ian Burns, Robin Butler, John Chilcot, Ken Clarke, David Cooke, Jim Daniell, Timothy Daunt, John Deverell, David Fell, William Fittall, David Gillmore, Christopher Glyn-Jones, Richard Gozney, Michael Howard, Douglas Hurd, Roderic Lyne, John Major, Jonathan Margetts, Peter May, Patrick Mayhew, John McConnell, David McIlroy , Danny McNeill, R. O. Miles, Anthony Pawson, Christopher Prentice , Stephen Rickard, Malcolm Rifkind , A W Stephens, Jonathan Stephens, Quentin Thomas, Stephen Wall (37 total)
Representing 1 delegations:
No imported or exported documents
Resources (11):
Resource Collections (0):
None
Resource Items (11):
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).
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).
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.
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).
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.
Text of the Joint Declaration with proposed amendments from 3 December 1993 indicated via underlining.
A hidden copylist for Quentin Thomas' covering letter to Robin Butler and the enclosed briefing material.
A copy of the Joint Declaration which seems to have arrived at the Anglo-Irish Summit on 3 December 1993 as JD14A and then been amended by hand during the meeting to become JD14B.
JD14B not enclosed. A briefing letter from Quentin Thomas to Robin Butler in advance of his 6 December 1993 meeting with Dermot Nally.
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 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.
Summary of events in this session:
Individuals:
0 0 0 0
List of people joining the committee
List of people leaving the committee
List of people elected to a position
Documents:
0 0 0
List of proposals created
List of proposals amended
List of proposals copied
List of proposals imported
List of proposals to be voted on
List of proposals debated
Decisions:
List of proposals adopted
List of proposals rejected
List of proposals dropped
List of proposals referred
List of postpone debate voted on
List of other proposals voted on
Procedure:
List of procedural motion
List of motions debated
Icon key
Person joining a committee
Person leaving a committee
Person elected to a position
A new document introduced
An amendment proposed
A document introduced from another committee
A revision of another document begun
Amendment imported from another committee
Proposal Debated
Drop a proposal
Refer a proposal
Adopt a proposal
Other vote (continue debate)
Reject a proposal
Postpone debate on a proposal
Procedural motion introduced
Procedural Motion Debated
Procedural motion with sub-decisions