Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 December 2013
43. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role his Department played in the commemorative lecture on the Downing Street Declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54593/13]
View answerAt my invitation, former British Prime Minister John Major delivered a lecture at Iveagh House on 11 December last, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Downing Street Declaration on 15 December 1993. The event was hosted and organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This was the third in a series of commemorative lectures forming the Iveagh House Lecture series. Each address has recalled a significant event in our history; the first, by Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson last year, on the centenary of the Ulster Covenant, reflected on the life of Edward Carson, Irish unionism and its place in our political life today. Earlier this year, Governor of Maryland, Martin O’Malley, recalled the visit to Ireland fifty years ago of President John F Kennedy and reflected on Irish American relations.
As the Deputy is aware, we are committed to the commemoration of historical events in a peaceful and inclusive manner, based on the principles of historical accuracy and in cooperation with key partners, at home and abroad. In line with this approach, the lecture was attended by guests from Ireland and Britain, members of both traditions in Northern Ireland, historians, leaders from civil society and elected representatives past and present.
Several of the guests had been involved in the negotiation of the Declaration and in later phases of the Peace Process. I was pleased in particular to welcome Mrs. Kathleen Reynolds, representing her husband former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, and members of her family, as well as former Tánaiste Dick Spring.
My opening address reflected on the significance of the Declaration in paving the way for an eventual IRA ceasefire leading, ultimately, to the conclusion of the Good Friday Agreement. I noted the long, intensive and difficult work undertaken by the governments led by John Major and Albert Reynolds. This work was continued and developed by John Bruton as Taoiseach. I also acknowledged the immense contribution by Senator George Mitchell, who was also in attendance and who spoke about his personal experience of the peace process.
John Major spoke of his work in building Anglo-Irish relations, the approach which underpinned his approach to negotiating peace and of how setbacks were overcome. He spoke also of the deepening of the relationship between Ireland and Britain in the twenty years following the Declaration. His comments, which were broadcast by RTE, were important and insightful, and I appreciated in particular his positive and generous spirit and his encouraging remarks on the future of Northern Ireland.
