Good Friday Committee to hear from Sir John Major

Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major will address the meeting remotely via Teams.

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House between 13:30 - 16:30.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Fergus O’Dowd said: “We look forward to continuing our series of meetings with architects of the Good Friday Agreement with Sir John Major ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Agreement.”

“Sir John Major’s talent for peace and diplomatic negotiation most notably with the Downing Street Declaration and the Framework Document - ultimately led to the Good Friday Agreement.”

“The Downing Street Declaration has been described as a ‘finely balanced double helix in which self-determination and consent were inseparable’ and these concepts became central to the Good Friday Agreement.”

“We look forward to discussing Sir John’s Major’s contribution to the peace process, his work with former taoiseach Albert Reynolds, the implementation of the Agreement and the lessons from his time in Northern Ireland that can be applied to the current impasse today.”

The Committee has already heard from Bertie Ahern, John Bruton, George Mitchell, Mark Durkan, Lord Alderdice, Jonathan Powell, Martin Mansergh and Tim O’Connor.

It will continue to meet with a range of people involved in the negotiations, including the politicians involved, diplomats and civil servants in the coming term.

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.

Notes to Editor

*Please note Sir John Major will NOT be appearing in person at the Committee*