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 bilateral contact between British and Irish government delegates which happened outside of the more formal structures set up for intergovernmental negotiation. These informal meetings were sometimes crucial to the development of the Joint Declaration.
To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.
Roderic Lyne met with Martin Mansergh, Noel Dorr and Seán Ó hUiginn to discuss the Joint Declaration and various proposals of amendment.
Membership (at session start):
David Blatherwick, Robin Butler, David Cooke, John A Dew, Fergus Finlay, Douglas Hurd, Roderic Lyne, Martin Mansergh, Patrick Mayhew, Dermot Nally, Dick Spring, Quentin Thomas, Seán Ó hUiginn (13 total)
Representing 2 delegations:
British Government , Irish Government
Imported Documents
Imported Amendments
Exported Documents
Exported Amendments
Resources (18):
Resource Collections (0):
None
Resource Items (18):
Describes the objectives of the meeting between John Major and Albert Reynolds at the margins of the EC Summit and lays down the major points of discussion. Encloses a note with detailed points on the topics to be covered and another note with the text along with the amendments proposed by both sides.
Describes the objectives of the meeting between John Major and Albert Reynolds at the margins of the EC Summit and lays down the major points of discussion. Encloses a note with detailed points on the topics to be covered and another note with the text along with the amendments proposed by both sides.
Points to make in John Major's meeting with Albert Reynolds with regards to the Anglo-Irish talks and the Joint Declaration Initiative.
Points to make in John Major's meeting with Albert Reynolds with regards to the Anglo-Irish talks and the Joint Declaration Initiative.
Points to make in John Major's meeting with Albert Reynolds with regards to the Anglo-Irish talks and the Joint Declaration Initiative. Encloses the proposed text of JD15B with the British and Irish proposed amendments underlined, and the agreed text of the Joint Declaration with the provisionally agreed amendments.
Points to make in John Major's meeting with Albert Reynolds with regards to the Anglo-Irish talks and the Joint Declaration Initiative. Encloses the proposed text of the JD15 with the British and Irish proposed amendments underlined, and the agreed text of the Joint Declaration with the provisionally agreed amendments.
Joint statement released by both Governments on 29 October 1993.
Joint statement released by both Governments on 29 October 1993.
Sets out what the British response should be to the Irish Governments last minute draft changes to the Joint Declaration. British should stay firm on most of the issues as the note underlines "resist" at several points. It also contains some fallbacks if the Irish continue to push for certain changes. Note also contains some brief annotations and lines.
Text of the Joint Declaration with provisionally agreed amendments underlined.
Text of the Joint Declaration with provisionally agreed amendments underlined.
Text of the Joint Declaration with British proposed amendments underlined in unbroken line and Irish proposed amendments underlined with broken line.
Record of discussion of JD15 from 1130-1400. Roderic Lyne "vs" Martin Mansergh, Noel Dorr and Seán Ó hUiginn. Outline of decisions taken on pending amendments and further amendments made by both sides.
Record of discussion of JD15 from 1130-1400. Roderic Lyne "vs" Martin Mansergh, Noel Dorr and Seán Ó hUiginn. Outline of decisions taken on pending amendments and further amendments made by both sides.
Faded note that records a meeting involving delegations from both the British and Irish Government. They debated changes to the Joint Declaration draft 15 closely and specifically. Includes some written ticks.
Record of discussion of JD15 from 1130-1400. Roderic Lyne "vs" Martin Mansergh, Noel Dorr and Seán Ó hUiginn. Outline of decisions taken on pending amendments and further amendments made by both sides.
Reports the discussions on the margins of the European Council between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach. Encloses a minute of these exchanges.
Overview of discussions in Brussels on 10/12/1993 and 11/12/1993. Provides a summary of the "upshot of the three meetings", mainly around relations with the Irish government. Letter encloses a more detailed account of the second meeting (filed below)
Summary of events in this session:
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List of proposals created
List of proposals amended
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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
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Person joining a committee
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A new document introduced
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A document introduced from another committee
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Amendment imported from another committee
Proposal Debated
Drop a proposal
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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