1. Democracy
Chapter 6: Democracy
The Peace Process:
Timeline

2. Anglo-Irish Agreement
Democracy
Democracy 6
Anglo-Irish Agreement
1985
Teacher Notes:
The Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed in November 1980.
British Prime Minister: Margaret Thatcher
Irish Taoiseach: Garret FitzGerald

3. The Downing Street Declaration
Democracy
Democracy 6
The Downing Street Declaration
1993
Teacher Notes:
The Downing Street Declaration said that the people of Northern Ireland should be free to decide their own future.

4. Framework for negotiations
Democracy
Democracy 6
Framework for negotiations
1995
Teacher Notes:
A framework document was written to provide a framework for negotiations.

5. Democracy Democracy 6 1996 The Mitchell Report Teacher Notes:
The Mitchell Report on Decommissioning of illegal arms made many recommendations for taking the guns out of the conflict.

6. Democracy Democracy 6 1997 The North Report The North Report
Teacher notes:
Parades and marches caused a lot of tension.
The North Report recommended that a five-person commission should look after parades and marches.

7. The Good Friday Agreement
Democracy
Democracy 6
The Good Friday Agreement
1998
Teacher Notes:
The Good Friday (or Belfast) Agreement was signed on 10th April, 1998.
In May 1998, the people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland voted on the Agreement:
Northern Ireland: 79 per cent accepted the Agreement
Republic of Ireland: 94 per cent accepted the Agreement

8. Democracy Democracy 6 1999 The Patten Report Teacher notes:
The Patten Report made suggestions as to how the police force should be organised.

9. Democracy Democracy 6 2001 David Trimble Issues: Policing
Decommissioning
Teacher Notes:
Two big issues were:
Policing in Northern Ireland
Need to disarm
David Trimble resigned over IRA failure to disarm and power sharing was suspended.

10. Democracy Democracy 6 2002 Direct Rule Direct rule imposed IRA apology
Teacher Notes:
Power sharing between the two sides had failed so direct rule was imposed.
In 2002, the IRA issued an apology to the families of the 650 civilians killed by the IRA since the late 1960s.

11. Democracy Democracy 6 2003 Election Election DUP Sinn Fein
Image caption: Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams
Image source: Getty images
Teacher Notes:
Election:
Democratic Unionist Party under Ian Paisley was largest party
Sinn Fein under Gerry Adams was the second largest
Loyalist paramilitaries announce a ceasefire in 2003.

12. Democracy Democracy 6 2004 Deadlock in Talks Teacher Notes:
During 2004 there was a deadlock in the talks.
Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair led many talks.
They tried to organise an arms-for-government deal.
Talks broke down over getting photographic evidence of disarming.
Look at the photograph of the two leaders – how do you think they feel?

13. 2005 Democracy Democracy 6 2005 IRA Dump Arms Teacher Notes:
A major breakthrough occurred when the IRA put an end to the armed struggle by putting down their arms.

14. Democracy Democracy 6 2007 Elections Ian Paisley was First Minister
Martin McGuinness was Deputy First Minister
Teacher Notes:
In March 2007 the Northern Assembly Elections were held.
DUP leader Ian Paisley became the First Minister.
Sinn Fein member Martin McGuinness became Deputy First Minister.

15. The Northern Ireland Act
Democracy
Democracy 6
The Northern Ireland Act
2009
Teacher Notes:
The Northern Ireland Act will help with devolution of policing and justice to Northern Ireland.

16. Police and justice departments transferred
Democracy
Democracy 6
Police and Justice
2010
Police and justice departments transferred
to Northern
Ireland
Teacher Notes:
Northern Ireland’s politicians agree to take full control of their own police and justice system.

17. Democracy Democracy 6 2010 Peace and the Future
Gordon Brown: After decades of violence, years of talks, weeks of stalemate, this is the day we have secured the future – a lasting peace...
Peter Robinson: No future generation would forgive us for squandering the peace that has been so long fought for.