25 May 2022, 17:05
The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement will meet on Thursday May 26th.
Tim O’Connor – one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement will appear at the meeting which will take place in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House between 13:30-16:30.
Mr O’Connor is a former senior diplomat who was part of the Irish Government Delegation in the talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998; inaugural Joint Secretary of the North/South Ministerial Council in Armagh from 1999-2005; Consul General of Ireland in New York from 2005-2007 and Secretary General to the President from 2007-2010.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Ferus O’Dowd said:
“We welcome this opportunity to hear from Tim O’Connor as part of a series of hearings the Committee is holding ahead of a report to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement next year. We can learn a great deal from those whose dedication, skill, and commitment to public service resulted in this extraordinary Agreement.
“Given the current political instability in Northern Ireland and the ongoing negotiations over the Protocol, this is a timely opportunity to hear from someone who had a key role on the Irish Government’s side in helping to bring the Good Friday Agreement to fruition.”
The Committee will meet with a range people involved in the negotiations, including the politicians involved, diplomats and civil servants in the coming weeks.
Watch proceedings live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.