- Friday, 12 November 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.
Prime Minister-Taoiseach Meetings
This committee has been created to model meetings between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach.
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Session 21996: 1993-11-12 12:00:00
[Exact time unknown] Roderic Lyne and David Blatherwick met with Albert Reynolds, and then with Martin Mansergh and Seán Ó hUiginn over dinner, to discuss the British and Irish government's respective positions on the Joint Declaration initiative. The Irish emphasised that they would go ahead with it with or without the British.
Membership (at session start):
John Major, Albert Reynolds (2 total)
Representing 2 delegations:
British Government , Irish Government
Imported Documents
- Reply from John Major to Albert Reynolds (12 November 1993) (e1078934) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 12 November 1993, at 09:00
Imported Amendments
Exported Documents
Exported Amendments
Resources (6):
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None
Resource Items (6):
Enclosure: Covering Letter from David Blatherwick to Roderic Lyne Enclosing an Account of a Meeting on 12 November 1993 - (file)
David Blatherwick writes to Roderic Lyne enclosing his note for the record of their 12 November 1993 meeting with Albert Reynolds, Martin Mansergh and Seán Ó hUiginn. He also provides further commentary on his impressions of the meeting, stressing that, whilst their perception of widespread unionist assent to the Joint Declaration might be optimistic, the Irish were earnest in their desire for peace and their hope in being able to secure it. Further notes that a break with them over this would be difficult to avoid given the likely reaction in the Republic of Ireland to a loss of momentum.
Enclosure: David Blatherwick's Record of a Meeting with Albert Reynolds and Others on 12 November 1993 - (file)
David Blatherwick's note for the record of a meeting between him and Roderic Lyne, Albert Reynolds, Martin Mansergh, and Seán Ó hUiginn. The British delegation were aiming to prevent a rupture with the Irish government, and denied that the Butler/Nally meeting on 10 November 1993 had represented a final rejection of the Joint Declaration initiative in any form, whilst stressed the need for continued Irish commitment to the parallel talks process. The Irish delegation pushed hard for serious engagement with the Joint Declaration and stressed that HMG could not afford to abandon an initiative that promised peace without requiring any substantial concessions on their part. e, Albert Reynolds, Martin Mansergh, and Seán Ó hUiginn, enclosed with a covering letter to Roderic Lyne making further commentary on the meeting. The British delegation were aiming to prevent a rupture with the Irish government, and denied that the Butler/Nally meeting on 10 November 1993 had represented a final rejection of the Joint Declaration initiative in any form, whilst stressed the need for continued Irish commitment to the parallel talks process. The Irish delegation pushed hard for serious engagement with the Joint Declaration and stressed that HMG could not afford to abandon an initiative that promised peace without any substantial concessions on their part. Enclosed with a covering letter to Roderic Lyne making further personal commentary on the meeting. Stresses that the Irish's intentions are genuine and that a break with them over this would be difficult to avoid.
Enclosure: David Blatherwick's Record of a Meeting with Albert Reynolds and Others on 12 November 1993 - (file)
David Blatherwick's note for the record of a meeting between him and Roderic Lyne, Albert Reynolds, Martin Mansergh, and Seán Ó hUiginn. The British delegation were aiming to prevent a rupture with the Irish government, and denied that the Butler/Nally meeting on 10 November 1993 had represented a final rejection of the Joint Declaration initiative in any form, whilst stressed the need for continued Irish commitment to the parallel talks process. The Irish delegation pushed hard for serious engagement with the Joint Declaration and stressed that HMG could not afford to abandon an initiative that promised peace without requiring any substantial concessions on their part.
Meeting between Reynolds, Nally, Ó hUiginn and Roderic Lyne – 12 November 1993 - (file)
Photocopied note of a meeting between Reynolds, Ó hUiginn, Nally, and Roderic Lyne, Private Secretary to Major, and Blatherwick, on 12 November 1993, to discuss a perceived misunderstanding between the two Governments. Lyne stresses the difficulties posed to the Joint Declaration Initiative by Hume/Adams but emphasised that the Prime Minister was not "shutting the door" on it.
Roderic Lyne's Record of a Meeting with Albert Reynolds and Others on 12 November 1993 and Enclosing David Blatherwick's Record - (file)
Record of a meeting between Roderic Lyne, David Blatherwick, Albert Reynolds, Martin Mansergh and Seán Ó hUiginn, enclosing a further record of the meeting by David Blatherwick and an accompanying letter. Lyne had been sent to reaffirm the British desire for co-operation between the two governments and to outline the difficulties with the Joint Declaration, focusing on the impact of Hume/Adams on it and the anticipated Unionist and Loyalist response to it, whilst maintaining that the initiative had not yet been definitively rejected. The Taoiseach took a hard line, emphasising how much he had personally gone out on a limb to promote the initiative and protect the position of the British government. He argued that it was an opportunity to secure peace at relatively little cost, and that HMG would not be forgiven for missing that chance.
Roderic Lyne's Record of a Meeting with Albert Reynolds and Others on 12 November 1993 and Enclosing David Blatherwick's Record - (file)
Record of a meeting between Roderic Lyne, David Blatherwick, Albert Reynolds, Martin Mansergh and Seán Ó hUiginn, enclosing a further record of the meeting by David Blatherwick and an accompanying letter. Lyne had been sent to reaffirm the British desire for co-operation between the two governments and to outline the difficulties with the Joint Declaration, focusing on the impact of Hume/Adams on it and the anticipated Unionist and Loyalist response to it, whilst maintaining that the initiative had not yet been definitively rejected. The Taoiseach took a hard line, emphasising how much he had personally gone out on a limb to promote the initiative and protect the position of the British government. He argued that it was an opportunity to secure peace at relatively little cost, and that HMG would not be forgiven for missing that chance.
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