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.

British Government

This committee has been created to model internal British Government documents and meetings.

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Session 23407: 1993-12-09 18:00:01

[Exact time unknown] The conclusions of the meeting between Martin Mansergh and Robin Butler were reported back to the British government delegation. Briefing material was then produced in advance of the meeting between John Major and Albert Reynolds in the margins of the EC Summit on 10/11 December 1993.

Imported Documents

Imported Amendments

Exported Documents

Exported Amendments

  • British Government Amendment to 13(2) (e1291669)
  • British Government Amendment to 13(6) (e1291670)
  • British Government Amendment to 13(8) (e1291671)
  • Deletion of 'as of right' (e1290468)

Resources (12):

Resource Collections (0):

None

Resource Items (12):

Joint Declaration (JD15B) – 9 December 1993 - (file)

Text of JD15 with British proposed amendments underlined with unbroken line and Irish proposed amendments underlined with broken line.

Note from Nicholas Lyell to John Major Regarding the Joint Declaration Initiative, 9 December 1993 - (file)

This note, addressed to John Major, records the Attorney General's comments on the legal ramifications of the Joint Declaration. The key potential issue he identifies is the 'as of right' clause in paragraph 4.

Record of a Meeting between Robin Butler and Martin Mansergh on 9 December 1993 - (file)

Provides an account of the meeting between Robin Butler and Martin Mansergh regarding the amendments in the draft of the Joint Declaration. Encloses the text of the Joint Declaration with the amendments proposed by the British Government, and with sections with amendments proposed by James Molyneaux and the Irish Government marked. Addressed to Roderic Lyne, and also sent to John Sawers and Jonathan Stephens. Some text illegible and highlighted.

Record of a Meeting between Robin Butler and Martin Mansergh on 9 December 1993 - (file)

Provides an account of the meeting between Robin Butler and Martin Mansergh regarding the amendments in the draft of the Joint Declaration. Encloses the text of the Joint Declaration with the amendments proposed by the British Government, and with sections with amendments proposed by James Molyneaux and the Irish Government marked. Addressed to Roderic Lyne, and also sent to John Sawers and Jonathan Stephens. Some text highlighted.


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Procedure:

List of procedural motion

List of motions debated

Events (16)

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Procedural Motion Debated

Procedural motion with sub-decisions