Changing Relations Towards Closer Cooperation Flashcards
What was important about the anglo-Irish agreement?
It was the very first legal document signed that would state the Republic had a say in the future of NI
Why was the agreement signed
The British feared that the rise of Sinn Fein would cause the chance of peace to slim.
Fitzgerald the Irish Taoiseach at the time wanted to reduce support for the IRA and see reform of security forces
What were key terms of the agreement?
Establishment of an intergovernmental conference
A permanent secretariat made up of northern civil Cervantes and their southern counterparts
Devolution would only occur if there was an agreement on sharing power
How did unionists react to the anglo-Irish agreement?
All unionists feared that it would lead to a United ireland.
So many rallied
A boycott of Westminster
3rd March 1976 day of action province came to a standstill
Campaign of opposition, Dublin Diktat
All 15 unionist mps resigned from Westminster.
How did nationalists react to the anglo-Irish agreement?
The SDLP were satisfied as they felt the ROI government would fully support them. They also felt it would help them as they were currently losing seats to Sinn Fein.
What was the Hume-Adam’s initiative?
It was secret talks held between SDLPs John Hume and Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adam’s to broker a peace deal.
Many people were sickened by all the violence as many innocent people were being held in the crossfire.
Hume worked with Adam’s to convince the IRA to put down their guns and work through politics. Both agreed it should be up to irelands people to decide its future.
What was the Downing Street declaration of 1993?
The Downing Street declaration was signed by John Major (British PM) and Albert Reynolds (Irish Taoiseach) on December 15th 1993.
The declaration stated that the people of Ireland had the right to self determination
NI would stay part of UK if majority of its citizens wanted it to be.
Also stated that the government would hold talks with IRA if they stopped violence.
What were the key terms of the Good Friday agreement?
Strand 1- established a 108 member assembly. Power sharing
Strand 2 - a north south ministerial council. Cross border cooperation
Strand 3- British Irish council with members from all assemblies in the British isles.
Irish government removed its claims to the whole island of Ireland contained in article 2 and 3 of their constitution
Principle of consent
Prisoner releases
Paramilitary decommissioning of weapons
Reformation of RUC. PSNI created.
What were the referendum results of the GFA?
81% of people in NI voted. 71.1% were in favour
An overwhelming 94.4% of people in the republic voted in favour of it
DUP opposed the gfa
GFA came into force in December 1998
