Ireland (7) - Downing Street Declaration Flashcards
What document did the Sinn Fein release in 1992 ?
Towards a lasting peace
Describe towards a lasting peace
it outlined the republican reduction in armed movements.It said that all Irish political parties should join together to achieve a constitutional change in Ireland.
What was the back channel ?
A private communications line between the republican leadership.
What were the three strands that had to be met if there was to be any settlement in NI ?
- inter community relations
- north-south cooperation
- intergovernmental negotiations
How was the initiative by 1991 ?
It was dead and buried. And the three strands collapsed
What were the results of the 1992 general election ?
Sinn Fein’s votes dropped and Gerry Adams lost his West Belfast seat
What did the Sinn Fein 1993 draft document say ?
It acknowledged that there had to be unionist consent to the future development of Ireland
When was the Downing Street Declaration Created ?
December 1993
What were the key terms to the downing street declaration ?
- London agreed that they supported what the majority of people wanted to do in NI (At the time it was to remain a part of the UK)
- Dublin accepted that a united Ireland had to have majority consent within Northern Ireland
What were Sinn Fein’s views on the DDS ?
Sinn Fein stated that while it was glad to see Britain accepting self-determination, the Declaration still gave unionists too much power
What was the UUP reaction to the DDS?
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) was comforted by parts of the Declaration - however, it was unhappy with what it thought was its bias toward Irish nationalism
What was the DUP reaction to the DDS ?
DUP saw the Declaration as yet another step towards a united Ireland.
When did the PIRA release their Cease fire after the DDS ?
31 August 1994
What was the condition of the PIRA ceasefire ?
Sinn Fein would have to be involved in any talks
When did loyalist paramilitary announce their ceasefire?
13 October 1994
