- Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00
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.
British Government
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.
Session 29246: 1993-12-10 18:00:00
[Exact time unknown] The version of the Joint Declaration negotiated between Irish and British officials earlier in the day was reported back by Roderic Lyne, along with his record of the meeting.
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, Nicholas Lyell, 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 (38 total)
Representing 1 delegations:
Imported Documents
- Joint Declaration: JD15 (e1308149) imports from Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 11:30 - Timing of a Meeting to Issue the Joint Declaration (e1310972) imports from Prime Minister-Taoiseach Meetings,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 15:00 - Secure Civil and Ecclesiastic Support for the Joint Declaration (e1310973) imports from Prime Minister-Taoiseach Meetings,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 15:00 - Press Line (e1310974) imports from Prime Minister-Taoiseach Meetings,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 15:00
Imported Amendments
- British Government Amendment to Alternative Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 2(3) (e1308151) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - First John Hume Amendment to British Government Amendment to Alternative Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 2(3) (e1308152) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - Second Alternative John Hume Amendment to British Government Amendment to Alternative Reaffirmation of Constitutional Guarantee in 2(3) (e1308154) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - British Government Amendment to 4(1) (e1308156) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - Irish Government Redraft of British Government Amendment to 4(1) (e1308157) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - John Hume Amendment to British Government Amendment to 4(1) (e1308548) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - Molyneaux's Deletion of 'Assist' from 4 (e1308158) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - Deletion of 'as of right' (e1308649) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - British Government Deletion from 4(5/6) (e1308159) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - Irish Government Amendment to British Government Deletion from 4(5/6) (e1308160) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - Second Alternative Irish Government Amendment to British Government Deletion from 4(5/6) (e1308161) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - British Government Amendment to 4(7/8) (e1308162) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - British Government Amendment to 12(4) (e1308163) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - Notice of Inclusion of the Magee List (e1308164) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - New Final Paragraph (e1308165) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - First Irish Government Correction of Transmission Error (e1308166) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - British Government Amendment to 13(2) (e1308167) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - Second Irish Government Correction of Transmission Error (e1308169) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - British Government Amendment to Strike Out Paragraphs 10 and 11 (e1308171) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00 - Further Irish Government Amendment to 12(5) (e1308172) imports from British Government,
on Friday, 10 December 1993, at 18:00
Exported Documents
Exported Amendments
- British Government Counter to John Hume Amendment to British Government Amendment to 4(1) (e1308551)
- Inclusion of 'Facilitate' to Replace 'Assist' (e1308562)
- Imported by 'Inclusion of 'Facilitate' to Replace 'Assist'' (e1316157) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on
Saturday, 11 December 1993, at 12:00
- Imported by 'Inclusion of 'Facilitate' to Replace 'Assist'' (e1316157) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on
- British Government Amendment to British Government Deletion from 4(5/6) (e1310372)
- Imported by 'British Government Amendment to British Government Deletion from 4(5/6)' (e1316147) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on
Saturday, 11 December 1993, at 12:00
- Imported by 'British Government Amendment to British Government Deletion from 4(5/6)' (e1316147) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on
- Insertion of 'Legitimately' (e1310367)
- Imported by 'Insertion of 'Legitimately'' (e1316142) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on
Saturday, 11 December 1993, at 12:00
- Imported by 'Insertion of 'Legitimately'' (e1316142) in Informal British-Irish Bilaterals,
on
- British Government Amendment to Second Alternative Irish Government Amendment to British Government Deletion from 4(5/6) (e1310374)
- British Government Amendment to Further Irish Government Amendment to 12(5) (e1310574)
- Imported by 'British Government Amendment to Further Irish Government Amendment to 12(5)' (e1339636) in Butler-Nally Meetings,
on
Monday, 13 December 1993, at 09:30
- Imported by 'British Government Amendment to Further Irish Government Amendment to 12(5)' (e1339636) in Butler-Nally Meetings,
on
- Alternative British Government Amendment to 13(2) (e1310577)
- Further British Government Amendment to 13(8) (e1310604)
- Second Alternative British Government Amendment to 13(2) (e1310578)
- Alternative Further British Government Amendment to 13(8) (e1310606)
- Second Alternative Further British Government Amendment to 13(8) (e1310612)
Resources (17):
Resource Collections (0):
None
Resource Items (17):
Briefing Note from Jonathan Stephens to Roderic Lyne, 10 December 1993 - (link)
Encloses a more detailed brief. Stephens offers two possible explanations for the Irish Government "playing hard" at the very end of the Joint Declaration process. The first is that they simply want to see what they can get last minute, the second is that they believe it won't work and so are happy to try their luck. He goes on to state that the British side should stick firm to its key arguments around paragraph 4 and the consent principle.
Briefing Note from Roderic Lyne to John Major Outlining His Strategy for Meetings on 11 December 1993 - (link)
NIO conceding that the text should mention the Irish Convention in some way, though begrudgingly. Lyne then sets out the negotiating strategy at the upcoming Brussels summit, most of which involves trade-offs. He remains confident, however, that there remains only a handful of issues.
Enclosure: Draft Minute from PS Patrick Mayhew to Roderic Lyne Attaching a Handling Plan for the Joint Declaration - (link)
Draft letter sent by P N Bell for SoS to potentially sent to Roderic Lyne with a copy of latest handling plan
Enclosure: NIO Briefing for Discussion of the Joint Declaration on 11 December 1993 in Brussels - (link)
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.
Handwritten Note from Roderic Lyne to John Major on Briefing Material, 10 December 1993 - (link)
Lyne reports that he is missing two documents for Major's meeting with Reynolds, but that when he receives them he'll boil them down into a briefer, single document.
Letter from DUP MPs to John Major Opposing the Signing of Any Joint Declaration, 10 December 1993 - (link)
Paisley et al argue, in characteristically flowery language, that Major has betrayed and lied to the Unionist community by signing this declaration, which he believes proves they had been in contact with PIRA. They evoke the Anglo-Irish Agreement as a reminder of when the Unionist community were taken for granted by the British, and warn against negotiating what with they see as Ulster's enemies.
Letter from Jonathan Stephens to David Cooke Approving a 9 December 1993 Submission - (link)
Response to Cooke's submission of 9/12/1993. Includes SoS comments on the opening statement and briefing
Letter from Jonathan Stephens to Roderic Lyne Regarding the Joint Declaration - (link)
In conversation with Roderic Lyne's note of 10/12/1993 on Brussels Negotiations. Provides further analysis on Irish position and key issues. Encloses briefing note (not attached)
Letter from Jonathan Stephens to Roderic Lyne Regarding the Joint Declaration - (link)
In conversation with Roderic Lyne's note of 10/12/1993 on Brussels Negotiations. Provides further analysis on Irish position and key issues. Encloses briefing note (not attached)
Letter from Peter Bell to PS Patrick Mayhew Enclosing a Revised Handling Plan for the Joint Declaration - (link)
Revised Handling Plan for the period before and after the announcement on the Joint Declaration. Follows from a previous handling plan circulated by Mr Beeton on 9/12/1993. Revised in light of advice received from officials; enclosed draft letter for Roderic Lyne (filed separately)
Letter from Quentin Thomas to PS Patrick Mayhew Enclosing a Draft Letter to Cabinet Regarding the Joint Declaration - (link)
Draft letters for 10 Downing Street to send to Cabinet informing them of progress and seeking authority to finalise the negotiations
Lines to Take on the Joint Declaration (JD15) in Brussels on 10/11 December 1993 - (link)
Lines to take for Brussels discussion of JD15. References made to Rod Lyne's note of 10 December (below)
Lines to Take on the Joint Declaration (JD15) in Brussels on 10/11 December 1993 - (link)
Lines to take for Brussels discussion of JD15. References made to Rod Lyne's note of 10 December (below)
Record of a Meeting between Roderic Lyne and Martin Mansergh, Noel Dorr and Seán Ó hUiginn on 10 December 1993 at 11.30 - (link)
Record of discussion of JD15 at 1130-1400. Roderic Lyne "vs" Martin Mansergh, Noel Dorr and Seán Ó hUiginn. Outline of paragraphs agreed and amendments made
Record of a Meeting between Roderic Lyne and Martin Mansergh, Noel Dorr and Seán Ó hUiginn on 10 December 1993 at 11.30 - (link)
Record of discussion of JD15 at 1130-1400. Roderic Lyne "vs" Martin Mansergh, Noel Dorr and Seán Ó hUiginn. Outline of paragraphs agreed and amendments made
Record of a Meeting between Roderic Lyne and Martin Mansergh, Noel Dorr and Seán Ó hUiginn on 10 December 1993 at 11.30 - (link)
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 a Meeting between Roderic Lyne, Seán Ó hUiginn, Martin Mansergh and Noel Dorr on 10 December 1993 at 11.30 - (link)
Much of the meeting was spent debating the wording of paragraph 4, with several Irish redrafts hoping to soften the language around a consitutional guarentee and the nature of the consent principle. Paragrpah 11 had been rewritten, and thus the Irish had many amendments.
Summary of events in this session:
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Procedure:
List of procedural motion
List of motions debated
Events (66)
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