Memos from Bride Rosney (BR), Special Adviser to the President/Ann Lane, Personal Assistant to the President, regarding conversation with Inez McCormack [Northern Ireland Labour Organiser, human rights activist and MacBride Principles Signatory] on the feelings on the ground in relation to peace talks in Northern Ireland, 15/06/1994 and 09/09/1994; material relating to the IRA Ceasefire, 31/08/1994, including telex of statement issued by the IRA, subsequent statements from Irish Government, from Tánaiste and Leader of the Labour Party, Dick Spring, from Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, and address by Tánaiste to Dáil Éireann [lower house of Irish parliament], 31/08/1994, photocopy of press article and photocopy of briefing from Tom Brady, Irish Embassy, Canada in relation to Canadian media coverage, 01/09/1994; copy of letter of thanks to Inez McCormack, UNISON [British Trade Union], Belfast, from BR which included reference to MR meeting representatives of women's groups from East Belfast in Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) [official residence of the President of Ireland] in December 1994, 19/10/1994; copy of correspondence from BR to the heads of several churches in Northern Ireland in relation to MR inviting representatives from their churches who were involved in difficult work including dealing with bereavements as a result of violence, to a reception in Áras in December, 04-08/12/1994; copy of response to Ms Eileen Howell, Falls Community Council, Belfast, from BR, thanking her for copy of "Clar Nua - The West Belfast Community Agenda", 24/11/1994; copy of letter from BR to Mr Johnston McMaster, Youthlink NI, Belfast thanking him for material he had sent, 25/11/1994; handwritten letter from Archbishop [Robin Eames?], Church of Ireland, See House, Armagh, where he shared his personal opinions on MR's role as President of Ireland, which she had requested him to do, with photocopy of reply, 02-08/12/1994; copy of letter of response from BR to Dr Marjorie Mowlam, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, London, in relation to meeting between her and MR in January 1995, at Áras an Uachtaráin, 22/12/1994; copy of letter from BR to Mr Quintin Oliver, NICVA [Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action], in relation to material he had sent, and to a possible European conference in 1995, 22/12/1995.

Ref: P143/4/16/2/4

Handwritten and typed contact details for members of Northern Ireland press, possibly ahead of Mary Robinson's first visit to Northern Ireland as President of Ireland, on 16th December 1990.

Ref: P143/4/16/4/1

Correspondence to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Joe Brennan and Peter Ryan (PR) including handwritten note from JB relating to delay in design of European bank logo, 16/01/1991; fax relating to request sent through Richard Fallon, Anglo-Irish Division, Government Secretariat from Consulate General of Ireland, New York, for a message to be sent from MR to incoming President of the Mayo Society in New York, with draft message and handwritten note from JB, 01/02/1991; typed procedural note on appointment of member of Government from PR, 04/02/1991; handwritten notes from PR re approval for use of Government helicopter for trip to Galway Easter Sunday, 25/02/1991, details of reception for members of the Oireachtas, 07/03/1991, query from Taoiseach whether MR willing to receive European Cultural Ministers on courtesy call, 07-11/03/1991, MR request for meeting with Taoiseach and updates on communication with SIPTU [Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union] and OPW [Office of Public Works] in relation to staffing overtime and hiring 13-14/03/1991; handwritten note from JB relating to invitation for MR to receive an honorary degree from Montpellier University, for which he was seeking documentation, 07/03/1991.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/2/1

Correspondence to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, and from Taoiseach Charlie [Charles J] Haughey, including photocopies of correspondence from Bundoran Waterworld Limited and between PR and Secretary to the Government, relating to request for MR to open new Water Leisure Centre, with this having to be rescinded as it was function of Urban District Council, 28/03-15/15/1991; letter from Taoiseach, 09/04/1991, informing MR that he was seeking formal approval from Government to consent to MR's request to leave State for ceremony announcing logo for the Bank [European Bank], at formal inauguration ceremony hosted by UK Prime Minister [John] Major, London on 15/04/1991; typed memo from PR listing invitations for functions abroad for consideration and asking for guidance on which should be pursued and which should be declined, 22/04/1991; typed memo from PR relating to new stationery design, 02/05/1991; typed memo from PR in relation to Portuguese authorities wishing to change dates for consideration for MR's visit, 07/05/1991; correspondence between PR and Col. Patrick McNally, Aide-de-Camp (ADC), and between PR and MR in relation to letter McNally had sent to MR regarding upcoming trip to Portugal, for which MR had requested only 1 ADC, which was change from previous presidents, which PR explained was at MR's discretion to do, and remained so for future trips, including her return from Britain for which she requested to be unaccompanied, 11/06/1991.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/2/3

Correspondence mainly to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, including briefing notes for meeting with Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, 27/07/1992, covering topics including German State visit, outward State and other visits, Áras improvements [Áras an Uachtaráin - the official residence of the President of Ireland], matters of domestic and foreign policy, Government dinner and briefing document on round-table talks (Northern Ireland), 14/07/1992; memo on meeting with Taoiseach on 27th which was held at the request of MR primarily for a briefing on the Northern Ireland talks, with notes on what she was briefed, 28/07/1992; updated list of Presidential patronage as of 02/09/1992; note to MR from Joe Brennan, [Deputy Secretary to the President], on proposed state visit of President of Portugal in 1993, 02/09/1992; letter to MR from French Minister of State Jack Lang, following her visit, 02/09/1992; note from Kay Gleeson, Personnel Office, [Áras an Uachtaráin], attached to memo on procedures for admission of callers to the Áras, 07/09/1992; memo from PR with attached correspondence from Frank Murray, [Assistant Secretary to the Government], relating to the need for the format of credential ceremonies to be reviewed and possibly changed, 25/08-15/09/1992; memo from PR confirming he had asked for a written briefing on the Northern Ireland talks, "with particular reference to obtaining copies of the position papers submitted by the different parties" at MR's request but had been told by Department of the Taoiseach that this was not possible, 17/09/1992; briefing notes for meeting with Taoiseach 20/09/1992 covering topics including Northern Ireland, Somalia, and other visits, 15-20/09/1992.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/3/3

Correspondence mainly to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, including briefing notes for and brief report on meeting between MR and Garda Commissioner in relation to manner in which introduction of a rotation system was reported by media, 12/06-09/07/1993; note from PR to MR congratulating her on success of garden party at the Áras [Áras an Uachtaráin, official residence of the President of Ireland], and noting that her "decision to extend the "family" concept was especially appreciated", 27/06/1993; note from PR re MR's nominee to the Chester Beatty Library board, Dr Roger Stalley, 08/07/1993; note from PR on visit due of [Frank] Murray and Mr O hUiginn, noting it would be useful to address MR's perceptions of importance of West Belfast visit, of Northern Ireland visits generally, her road view on the lines that a response to the British Ambassador's letter should take, and whether she envisaged any future visit having a similar potential for controversy, 09/07/1993 [see P143/4/5/3/3/5]; briefing notes for meeting with Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, on 26th July, covering topics including Sudan, visits abroad in 1993, visits to Northern Ireland, including list of invites, and notes on the meeting; correspondence between Seán Ó hUiginn, Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Frank Murray, [Secretary to the Government], Department of the Taoiseach, forwarded then to PR by John Kennedy, Department of the Taoiseach, and on to MR by Bride Rosney, Special Adviser to the President, relating to advice on invitations to MR to attend a meeting at Eamhain Macha/Navan fort, 19/11/1993 and to open a conference in Warrington, Northern Ireland, under the umbrella of the "Warrington Project", 05-13/08/1993; briefing notes for and notes of meeting with Taoiseach covering topics including Sudan, Northern Ireland including Warrington, visits to New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, Hungary and Wales 05/08-02/09/1993; typed speaking points for the Taoiseach for his meeting with former US congressman Mr Morrison on 7th September, which was shared with MR, and covered topics including Northern Ireland, Peace Envoy, Immigration, Votes for Emigrants, International Fund for Ireland, MacBride Principles, Human Rights in Northern Ireland, and Tax deferral, 06/09/1993, DFA.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/4/3

Correspondence mainly to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, including material relating to the fall of the Government in November 1994 (see archivist's note) consisting of copy of text of statement by outgoing Taoiseach Albert Reynolds to Dáil Éireann, 15/11/1994, correspondence between Harold A. Whelehan, and MR relating to his resignation from the Office of President of the High Court and as Judge of that Court (two days after being appointed by Reynolds), and including a statement, 17/11/1994, correspondence from Frank Murray, Secretary to the Government to PR with photocopies of the resignations of members of the Labour party, including Tánaiste Dick Spring, which effectively collapsed the Government, 17/11/1994, photocopies of Taoiseach's resignation letter to MR, 17/11/1994 and photocopy of MR's acceptance of resignations, and correspondence relating to new TDs being nominated to replace those who had resigned, including Bertie Ahern as Tánaiste, 18-21/11/1994; typed memo from PR to MR relating to the need to review protocol attached to the departure of the President on visits abroad and her return, 08/12/1994; note from Brian McCarthy, Assistant Secretary to the Government to PR, noting that copies of correspondence between MR and Heads of State concerning the situation in Rwanda, was going to be placed in the Oireachtas Library, 21-22/12/1994; notes of meeting with Taoiseach [John Bruton], 22/12/1994 covering topics including Northern Ireland and meeting he had had with UK Prime Minister, John Major, MR's wish to address the Houses of the Oireachtas, MR's proposal for Government dinner, various planned visits, and plans to continue meetings between MR and Taoiseach as had happened with his predecessor, Reynolds.

[Archivist's note: In early 1994, Whelehan expressed an interest in becoming President of the High Court and a Judge of the High Court, to which Reynolds gave a personal commitment. This was opposed by Dick Spring, not only due to the quid pro quo nature of the arrangement but also due to Whelehan's controversial role in the X Case, where he was blamed for preventing a 14-year-old girl from traveling to the UK to undergo an abortion. In March 1993, the Royal Ulster Constabulary requested the extradition of Brendan Smyth, a priest arrested for child sex abuse. On 6 October 1994, an edition of UTV's Counterpoint programme revealed that in November 1993, the request was still at the Office of the Attorney General, when the RUC informed the Office that Smyth had voluntarily given himself up in Northern Ireland. The programme suggested this delay was deliberate (possibly in view of Whelehan's conservative beliefs). In response, Whelehan stated he had not known of the case. Reynolds proceeded to appoint Whelehan as President of the High Court. This decision, combined with the Smyth revelations and their earlier opposition to Whelehan, prompted the Labour party to walk out from cabinet. Reynolds requested that Whelehan prepare a memorandum on the Smyth case, which was delivered on 15 November 1994. This claimed the case was the first one to involve section 50 of the Extradition Act 1965. In the Dáil that day, Reynolds summarised the report he had received from Whelehan. On 16th it transpired that there had been a precedent involving another paedophile cleric, John Anthony Duggan, which had been resolved promptly in 1992 by Whelehan. The Labour party withdrew from the government in order to vote no confidence. Reynolds, facing defeat, nevertheless stated he regretted having appointed Whelehan, and criticised his failure to inform the government about the Duggan case, for which Reynolds received backlash. On 18th, Whelehan resigned, stating he wished to "keep the judiciary out of politics", and putting forward his side of events. Reynolds and his Government also resigned but Reynolds stayed on as Taoiseach until 15th December when Fine Gael's John Bruton was appointed in a newly formed Government.]

Ref: P143/4/6/1/5/3

Áras correspondence 1995.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/6

Correspondence mainly to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, including notes on meeting between MR and Taoiseach John Bruton, covering topics such as MR's planned address to the Houses of the Oireachtas, her decision not to accept an honorary award from QUB at that time, but rather to defer "until the anniversary year in the hope that progress would have been made in addressing discriminatory religious and gender practices", and in relation to Northern Ireland and the Framework Document, 09/01/1995; official and personal letter from Taoiseach to MR thanking her for enjoyable dinner at Áras an Uachtaráin [official residence of the President of Ireland] for all Government members and spouses, 19/01/1995; correspondence in relation to Economic and Investment Conference, Washington, May 1995, and the advice to both MR and Taoiseach not to attend since lower level representatives from Ireland, Northern Ireland and UK were attending and US wanted to avoid British or Unionists viewing their attendance as an imbalance of representation, 13-16/02/1995 and material relating to the "New Framework For Agreement - A shared understanding between the British and Irish governments to assist discussion and negotiation involving the Northern Ireland parties", including framework booklet, notes on the meeting of the Liaison Group, 16/02/1995, marked confidential, and confidential notes faxed by Seán O hUiginn, Department of Foreign Affairs to all Irish Missions, 20/02/1995.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/6/1

Correspondence in this subsubseries relates to Irish ambassadors and embassies abroad as well as ambassadors to Ireland, and their embassies during the term of Mary Robinson (MR)'s Presidency of Ireland (1990-1997) and includes correspondence relating to the presentation of credentials by ambassadors to MR at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland.

Ref: P143/4/6/2