Joint Statement by the British and Irish Governments and Propositions on Heads of Agreement (Lancaster House)
Export agreement coding (PDF)Country/entity
Ireland
United Kingdom
Northern IrelandRegion
Europe and Eurasia
Europe and Eurasia
Europe and EurasiaAgreement name
Joint Statement by the British and Irish Governments and Propositions on Heads of Agreement (Lancaster House)Date
12 Jan 1998Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreedInterim arrangement
YesAgreement/conflict level
Interstate/intrastate conflict(s) ()Stage
Pre-negotiation/processConflict nature
Government/territoryPeace process
Northern Ireland peace processParties
British and Irish GovernmentsThird parties
-Description
The Joint Statement presents the paper 'Propositions on Heads of Agreement', which sets out propositions for debate and discussion, and presents various elements which taken together presents the outline of an acceptable agreement.
Groups
- Children/youth
No specific mention.
- Disabled persons
No specific mention.
- Elderly/age
No specific mention.
- Migrant workers
No specific mention.
- Racial/ethnic/national groupGroups→Racial/ethnic/national group→RhetoricalPage 3-4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Provisions to safeguard the rights of both communities in Northern Ireland, through arrangements for the comprehensive protection of fundamental human, civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights, including a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland supplementing the provisions of the European Convention and to achieve full respect for the principles of treatment and freedom from discrimination, and the cultural identity and ethos of both communities. Appropriate steps to ensure an equivalent level of protection in the Republic. - Religious groups
No specific mention.
- Indigenous people
No specific mention.
- Other groups
No specific mention.
- Refugees/displaced persons
No specific mention.
- Social class
No specific mention.
Gender
- Women, girls and gender
No specific mention.
- Men and boys
No specific mention.
- LGBTI
No specific mention.
- Family
No specific mention.
State definition
- Nature of state (general)
No specific mention.
- State configuration
No specific mention.
- Self determination
No specific mention.
- Referendum
No specific mention.
- State symbols
No specific mention.
- Independence/secession
No specific mention.
- Accession/unification
No specific mention.
- Border delimitation
No specific mention.
- Cross-border provisionPage 1-2, Joint Statement, 5.
The two governments do not have a problem in clarifying certain matters, for example:
...the new British/Irish Agreement will embrace both the intergovernmental Council and the North/South Ministerial Council, which will operate independently in their designated areas of responsibility. And with acknowledging that matters not directly referred to in the paper will be dealt with where it makes sense, for example: Issues where harmonising or cross-border action is appropriate will be dealt with on that basis...
Page 3, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...A new British-Irish agreement to replace the existing Anglo-Irish Agreement and help establish close co-operation and enhance relationships, embracing;
- An intergovernmental council to deal with the totality of relationships, to include representatives of the British and Irish governments, the Northern Ireland administration and the devolved institutions in Scotland and Wales, with meetings twice a year at summit level.
- A North-South ministerial council to bring together those with executive responsibilities in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government in particular areas. Each side will consult, co-operate and take decisions on matters of mutual interest within the mandate of, and accountable to, the Northern Ireland assembly and the Oireachtas respectively. All decisions will be by agreement between the two sides, North and South.
- Suitable implementation bodies and mechanisms for policies agreed by the North South
council in meaningful areas and at an all island level.
- Standing intergovernmental machinery between the Irish and British governments,
covering issues of mutual interest, including non-devolved issues for Northern Ireland, when representatives of the Northern Ireland administration would be involved...
Governance
- Political institutions (new or reformed)Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→General referencesPage 4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Democratically elected institutions in Northern Ireland, to include a Northern Ireland Assembly, elected by a system of proportional representation, exercising devolved executive and legislative responsibility over at least the responsibilities of the six Northern Ireland Departments, and with provisions to ensure that all sections of the community can participate and work together successfully in the operation of these institutions and that all sections of the community are protected... - ElectionsPage 4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Democratically elected institutions in Northern Ireland, to include a Northern Ireland Assembly, elected by a system of proportional representation, exercising devolved executive and legislative responsibility over at least the responsibilities of the six Northern Ireland Departments, and with provisions to ensure that all sections of the community can participate and work together successfully in the operation of these institutions and that all sections of the community are protected... - Electoral commission
No specific mention.
- Political parties reform
No specific mention.
- Civil society
No specific mention.
- Traditional/religious leaders
No specific mention.
- Public administration
No specific mention.
- ConstitutionGovernance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/makingPage 1-2, Joint Statement, 5.
The two governments do not have a problem clarifying certain matters, for example:
Constitutional change will include changes to Article 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution and to Section 75 of the Government of Ireland Act 1920;...
Page 3, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
Balanced constitutional change, based on commitment to the principle of consent in all its
aspects by both British and Irish governments, to include both changes to the Irish
Constitution and to British constitutional legislation...
Power sharing
- Political power sharingPower sharing→Political power sharing→GeneralSub-state levelPage, 1, para 2
Democratically elected institutions in Northern Ireland, to include a Northern Ireland Assembly, elected by a system of proportional representation, exercising devolved executive and legislative responsibility over at least the responsibilities of the six Northern Ireland Departments, and with provisions to ensure that all sections of the community can participate and work together successfully in the operation of these institutions and that all sections of the community are protected.
Page 4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Democratically elected institutions in Northern Ireland, to include a Northern Ireland Assembly, elected by a system of proportional representation, exercising devolved executive and legislative responsibility over at least the responsibilities of the six Northern Ireland Departments, and with provisions to ensure that all sections of the community can participate and work together successfully in the operation of these institutions and that all sections of the community are protected... - Territorial power sharing
No specific mention.
- Economic power sharing
No specific mention.
- Military power sharing
No specific mention.
Human rights and equality
- Human rights/RoL general
No specific mention.
- Bill of rights/similarPage 3-4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Provisions to safeguard the rights of both communities in Northern Ireland, through arrangements for the comprehensive protection of fundamental human, civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights, including a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland supplementing the provisions of the European Convention and to achieve full respect for the principles of treatment and freedom from discrimination, and the cultural identity and ethos of both communities. Appropriate steps to ensure an equivalent level of protection in the Republic. - Treaty incorporationPage 3-4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Provisions to safeguard the rights of both communities in Northern Ireland, through arrangements for the comprehensive protection of fundamental human, civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights, including a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland supplementing the provisions of the European Convention and to achieve full respect for the principles of treatment and freedom from discrimination, and the cultural identity and ethos of both communities. Appropriate steps to ensure an equivalent level of protection in the Republic. - Civil and political rights
No specific mention.
- Socio-economic rights
No specific mention.
Rights related issues
- Citizenship
No specific mention.
- Democracy
No specific mention.
- Detention procedures
No specific mention.
- Media and communication
No specific mention.
- Mobility/access
No specific mention.
- Protection measures
No specific mention.
- Other
No specific mention.
Rights institutions
- NHRI
No specific mention.
- Regional or international human rights institutions
No specific mention.
Justice sector reform
- Criminal justice and emergency law
No specific mention.
- State of emergency provisions
No specific mention.
- Judiciary and courts
No specific mention.
- Prisons and detention
No specific mention.
- Traditional Laws
No specific mention.
Socio-economic reconstruction
- Development or socio-economic reconstruction
No specific mention.
- National economic plan
No specific mention.
- Natural resources
No specific mention.
- International funds
No specific mention.
- Business
No specific mention.
- Taxation
No specific mention.
- Banks
No specific mention.
Land, property and environment
- Land reform/rights
No specific mention.
- Pastoralist/nomadism rights
No specific mention.
- Cultural heritageLand, property and environment→Cultural heritage→PromotionPage 3-4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Provisions to safeguard the rights of both communities in Northern Ireland, through arrangements for the comprehensive protection of fundamental human, civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights, including a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland supplementing the provisions of the European Convention and to achieve full respect for the principles of treatment and freedom from discrimination, and the cultural identity and ethos of both communities. Appropriate steps to ensure an equivalent level of protection in the Republic. - Environment
No specific mention.
- Water or riparian rights or access
No specific mention.
Security sector
- Security Guarantees
No specific mention.
- Ceasefire
No specific mention.
- PolicePage 4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Effective and practical measures to establish and consolidate an acceptable peaceful society, dealing with issues such as prisoners, security in all its aspects, policing and decommissioning of weapons. - Armed forces
No specific mention.
- DDRSecurity sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisionsPage 4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Effective and practical measures to establish and consolidate an acceptable peaceful society, dealing with issues such as prisoners, security in all its aspects, policing and decommissioning of weapons. - Intelligence services
No specific mention.
- Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces
No specific mention.
- Withdrawal of foreign forces
No specific mention.
- Corruption
No specific mention.
- Crime/organised crime
No specific mention.
- Drugs
No specific mention.
- Terrorism
No specific mention.
Transitional justice
- Transitional justice general
No specific mention.
- Amnesty/pardon
No specific mention.
- Courts
No specific mention.
- Mechanism
No specific mention.
- Prisoner releasePage 4, Propositions on Heads of Agreement
...Effective and practical measures to establish and consolidate an acceptable peaceful society, dealing with issues such as prisoners, security in all its aspects, policing and decommissioning of weapons. - Vetting
No specific mention.
- VictimsPage 2, Joint Statement, 5.
...The governments wish to make clear that the position and sensitivities of the victims of violence are fully acknowledged and will continue to be taken into account where appropriate. - Missing persons
No specific mention.
- Reparations
No specific mention.
- Reconciliation
No specific mention.
Implementation
- UN signatory
No specific mention.
- Other international signatory
No specific mention.
- Referendum for agreement
No specific mention.
- International mission/force/similar
No specific mention.
- Enforcement mechanism
No specific mention.
- Related cases
No specific mention.
- SourceCAIN Web Service
https://cain.ulster.ac.uk/events/peace/docs/bi12198.htm
Joint Statement by British and Irish Governments, 12 January 1998
1. The British and Irish governments have been working intensively over the Christmas break on the paper presented today.
The title of the paper - Propositions on Heads of Agreement - accurately conveys both our intentions and the scope of the paper.
First of all, what we have
set down are propositions for debate and discussion.
Secondly, the various elements, taken together, offer only the outline of an acceptable agreement.
As can quickly be seen, these are not detailed proposals.
Even if consensus were to be reached that they constituted a
satisfactory package, a great deal of work would still be necessary.
2. These propositions are a basis for discussion, which we hope could help the talks' participants move towards agreement.
They have been tabled on our behalf by the chairman, Senator Mitchell.
There will be an opportunity to discuss the propositions at a meeting of the talks' participants tomorrow afternoon.
3. The point has already been made about the difficulty of finding a generally satisfactory way of tabling proposals.
But those in government have a duty - especially in current circumstances - to take whatever steps are necessary to promote substantive political progress.
4. A second, crucial, point is that these propositions, while in the name of the two governments, derive in a very real sense from the views of all parties on the various issues which arise in the talks - expressed both in bilateral meetings and in the round table discussions which have taken place.
The possible propositions we have tabled represent our best guess at what could be a generally acceptable outcome.
5. The two governments do not have a problem in clarifying certain matters, for example:
Constitutional change will include changes to Articles 2 and 3 of the Irish Constitution and to Section 75 of the Government oflreland Act 1920;
and the new British/Irish Agreement will
embrace both the intergovernmental Council and the North/South Ministerial Council, which will operate independently in their designated areas of responsibility.
And with acknowledging that matters not directly referred to in the paper will be dealt with where it makes sense, for example:
Issues where harmonising or cross-border action is appropriate will be dealt with on that basis.
The governments wish to make clear that the position and sensitivities of the victims of violence are fully acknowledged and will continue to be taken into account where
appropriate.
6. The propositions need to be elucidated in detailed discussions before parties can assess the overall impact of the proposals.
We hope a discussion of the possible propositions will help participants collectively to generate a broad understanding of the key elements of a
settlement and of the balances which need to be struck between those elements, and thus make it easier to engage in tough detailed negotiations on specific aspects of it.
What we ask is that we now proceed to the detail and all parties make their judgment then.