Northern Ireland

Policy Objective

Policy on Northern Ireland is guided by the key objective of consolidating and maintaining lasting peace on the island of Ireland, including through the implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, in a framework of mutual respect, equality and human rights and encompassing institutional and co-operative arrangements within Northern Ireland, between Ireland, North and South and between Ireland and Britain, including devolved administrations.

The Peace Process

The Agreement reached in the Multiparty Negotiations, known as the Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement, concluded on 10 April 1998, was the culmination of several years of intensive talks.The Agreement sets out a three-strand approach covering relationships within Northern Ireland, between Ireland, North and South and between Ireland and Britain.

Constitutional changes, necessary to underpin the principle of consent, form a core element of the settlement. The Agreement also provided for the establishment of a Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, a North-South Ministerial Council and implementation bodies, a British-Irish Council and a British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. In addition to the constitutional provisions and the provisions for the establishment of the institutions, the Agreement contained provisions concerning human rights, decommissioning, security, policing and justice and prisoners.

Inquiries

A number of Inquiries have been undertaken into past events.  Some useful links are provided below.

• Terms of Reference: Dublin/Monaghan Bombing
• Commission of Investigation: Dublin and Monaghan Bombings 1974
• Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk Bombings

Further Information:

The Department of the Taoiseach supports the Taoiseach in carrying out his responsibilities, as Head of Government, in this priority area and co-ordinates with relevant Government Departments, especially with the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The Northern Ireland Division’s work involves strategic policy formulation, co-ordination, advice and communication.  The Division is also involved in the task of supporting the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement reached in Belfast on 10 April, 1998.

Copies of the Taoiseach’s speeches and Press Releases on Northern Ireland are available, as part of the wider database of such material, in the Press section of the Department’s website.

The following documents may also be of interest:

Bloody Sunday Report

Bloody Sunday and the Report of the Widgery Tribunal: The Irish Governments Assessment of the New Material, presented to the British Government in June 1997.

Downing Street Declaration

Joint Declaration by An Taoiseach, Mr. Albert Reynolds, T.D., and the British Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. John Major, M.P., on 15 December 1993.

Joint Framework Document

A New Framework for Agreement issued by the Irish and British Governments on 22 February 1995.

Mitchell Report

Report of the International Body, Senator George J. Mitchell (Chairman), General John de Chastelain and Mr. Harri Holkeri on 22 January 1996.

Patten Report

A New Beginning: Policing in Northern Ireland, the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland, September 1999.

British Irish Agreement Act

Proposals by the British and Irish Governments for a Comprehensive Agreement (8 December, 2004)

The Taoiseach regularly answers Parliamentary Questions in Dáil Éireann (Parliament) on issues relating to Northern Ireland, which can be accessed by clicking on the link below:

Dail Debates

Contact:    

Northern Ireland & International Division
Department of the Taoiseach
Government Buildings
Upper Merrion Street
Dublin 2