TEARS BEFORE BEDTIME could be avoided if NI civil service press officers followed Cabinet Office advice. The size of NI and “the social scene populated by the chattering classes” meant that “official/journalist contact is more frequent than in GB”.
DUP ALL OUT FOR DEVOLUTION says NIO official in his report on the DUP’s 1989 conference. The DUP was seen to be relaunching itself as the main unionist. Analysis suggested the UUP were finding it difficult to maintain their position faced with the twin electoral threats of a resurgent DUP and Conservative growth.
GAA THROWN INTO CONFUSION when British Ambassador to Ireland asked to attend the 1989 Tipperary v Antrim hurling final in Croke Park. The matter was referred up to the Taoiseach. The diplomat’s match report has been released today under the 20 Year Rule.
JUNE 1983 IDB paper release today under 20 Day Rule suggests that Clive Sinclair considered purchasinga controlling interest in Lotus Cars Limited and had tentative plans for the manufacture of cars at Dunmurry commencing in 1985 … perhaps not just the Sinclair C5.
DE LOREAN DEBACLE – With an eye on the Renerable Heat Incentive scheme, are there lessons for Government today? You’ll need to set aside a few hours if you visit PRONI and request file CENT/3/103. A large reinforced cardboard box will be wheeled out on a trolley to your desk. Inside it you’ll find Kenneth Bloomfield’s personal papers relating to the ill-fated De Lorean affair which reveal a project with an over-optimistic start and a very depressing finish.
ROYAL VISITS to Northern Ireland in the early 1980s were subject to much head-scratching. The file of internal correspondence and briefings between 1982 and 1984 released this morning gives an insight into the government sensitivities and sensibilities. Should a senior Royal visit a particular military unit? Why would the Ordinance Survey NI only be a suitable visit for a male VIP? How neutral would the BBC be as a potential venue? Is a school speech day sufficiently important to warrant a visit?
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER snubbed during visit of Queen Mother. Jim Kilfedder refused to join other VIPs in the overflow lunch marquee and left Ballymena stating that “the TA would never again be allowed to fire a 21 gun salute from Stormont grounds”!
1983’s FIRST DAY BRIEF for a new Secretary of State included pen pictures of local political figures they might meet, the parties and a handy potted history of Northern Ireland, starting in 1920.
FILES RELEASED TODAY under the 20 Year Rule reveal the Northern Ireland Office’s policy on communicating with Sinn Féin during the 1980s. No phone calls, no ministerial meetings and letters to be sent by Private Secretaries with a curt, formal and short tone.
QUESTION: How many politicians in 1975 needed to ring up the Permanent Secretary to get the Union Flag raised over Parliament Buildings to mark sittings of the NI Constitutional Convention?
20 YEAR RULE – Some reflections ahead of Friday’s release of public records under the ‘20 Year Rule’ that allow files from 1990 (and before) to be examined. It’s an era of handwritten, typewritten and word-processed documents, with Telex still used to communicate internationally.
It’s hard to disagree with Brian when he says there is no real serious attempt to deal with the past. On the Republican side, the understanding is that that is not possible until everything is dealt with. But in the meantime some families have been trying to use the mechanisms of the state to try and get closer to the truth of what happened to their loved ones. As John noted here on Slugger, the re-opening of an inquest into …
