Áras correspondence 1996.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/7

Correspondence mainly to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, including note from John [?] that Lt Col at Baldonnel was highest ranking Aer Corps Officer in State at time of unreferenced trip, that the Europa Hotel [Belfast, Northern Ireland], had apologised for flying no flag during visit, and attaching text of speech given by Dr Martin Mansergh, Head of Research, Fianna Fáil, to the Parnell Society on the Peace Process in Historical Perspective, at their Spring Day, Avondale, Co. Wicklow, on 22nd April, June 1995; briefing note for and notes on meeting between MR and Taoiseach John Bruton, 12th June, covering topics including recent visits by MR to European Union (EU) and United States of America (USA), progress in the peace process, Northern Ireland, and the hopes Sinn Féin might decommission weapons, United Nations (UN) 50th commemoration Special Assembly and who should attend, the success of the visit of the Prince of Wales and the forthcoming reception in October to mark 150th anniversary of the Queens Colleges at which both MR and Queen Elizabeth II were attending, and to weekly briefings MR was getting from the Department of Foreign Affairs, 12/06/1995; record of meeting between MR and Brian McKeown, head of the EU monitoring group [in Rwanda], 12/06/1995; briefing notes for and notes on meeting between MR and Taoiseach on 30th August covering topics including developments in Northern Ireland, divorce referendum, Taoiseach's visit to Canada, MR's visit to UN, USA and London, and the proposed increase in the bounty given to citizens on reaching 100 years ("Centenarians Bounty"), 28-30/08/1995; correspondence re invite from UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, to MR to attend a Special Commemorative Session of the UN General Assembly in October, and PR requesting advice from Brian McCarthy, Assistant Secretary to the Government, 20/07-07/09/1995; briefing note for and notes on meeting between MR and Taoiseach on 19th September, covering topics including Rwanda and the region and MR's proposed humanitarian visit, recent talks between the Taoiseach and Loyalists groups in Northern Ireland and his visit to Canada, 14-19/09/1995; notes on meeting with Taoiseach on 15th at which he briefed MR on progress in Northern Ireland talks, 15/11/1995; notes on phone call with Taoiseach on 30th November, relating to situation in Northern Ireland, in which MR congratulated him and Government on getting an agreed communiqué and on providing context for breaking log-jam, especially before visit of President Clinton (USA) and MR's handwritten notes of call.

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

Correspondence mainly to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, including draft agenda with handwritten notes for MR's meeting with Taoiseach John Bruton, 06/04/1995; correspondence in relation to travel costs of visits and correspondence from Frank Murray, [Secretary to the Government], re Government's approval "on the basis that the foreign travel subhead of the Vote for the President's Establishment for each of the years [1995-1997] be adhered to", 28/03-07/04/1995; correspondence in relation to MR's acceptance of invitation from President Mitterand to attend ceremonies in Paris to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II on 8th of May, including letter from Brian McCarthy, Assistant Secretary to the Government, stating Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recommended attending, 06/04/1995, and which MR wanted to discuss further with Taoiseach in view of Ireland's traditional neutrality, 24/03-10/04/1995; notes on meeting with Taoiseach which covered topics including VE Day celebrations, United Nations 50th anniversary, Council of State and the new appointee Monica Barnes, relations with the Government, remarks off the record by the Tánaiste about relations with the President which Taoiseach did not approve of, nor ones attributed to Tánaiste which were in media, of guidelines for Ministers on visits abroad which seemed to have been formulated on initiative of Tánaiste but which were being portrayed as coming from President implying she was attempting to gag Ministers who were travelling with her, and the Irish Times (Joe Carroll) interview while MR was in South America and Japan in which she talked (in supportive terms) about the Framework Document (Northern Ireland) but which she was informed was outside of her role, 10/04/1995; memo from Bride Rosney (BR), [Special Adviser to the President], to MR giving timeline of the drafting of the guidelines, and the issues of misinformation in the media, 10/04/1995; memo from BR/Ann Lane on note BR received from Mark Mullen of ECO, outlining what had taken place in Kibeho camp and how it had hurt the whole process of repatriation, 02/05/1995; note from meeting between Taoiseach and President Havel of the Czech Republic, Moscow, 9th May, covering topics such as European integration, a Charter for Europe, enlargement, bilateral relations, Russia and NATO, exchange of visits, N[iall] Dorr, Secretary DFA, 11/05/1995; note from PR on additional security arrangements envisaged for visit of Prince of Wales to Áras an Uachtaráin [official residence of President of Ireland], 29/05/1995.

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

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

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 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

Correspondence mainly to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, including list of World Leaders who sent MR St. Patrick's Day messages, 03/1994; briefing points for and notes on meeting with Taoiseach Albert Reynolds covering topics including media leaks about the Ford Invitation and Legal Advice [cf P143/4/6/1/5/1], recent talks with UK Prime Minister re Northern Ireland, developments regarding structural funds in European Union, and status of preparations for foreign visits, 01-02/03/1994; photocopies of correspondence between Frank Murray (FM), Secretary to the Government, Department of the Taoiseach, and Noel Dorr, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), between FM and PR and subsequently between PR and MR in relation to Government's advice to decline invitation to join board of Hunger Project and to co-chair an advisory group for The International Food Policy Research Initiative, 28/03-06/04/1994; photocopy of Department of the Taoiseach press release relating to appointments of Governor of the Central Bank, Secretary Department of Finance, and Ombudsman, with cover note from PR to MR, 19/04/1994; memo from Bride Rosney (BR), [Special Adviser to the President] to PR in relation to points of concern at Austrian State dinner on 4th May, including delay in issuing invites, problems with service at top table, gender balance of servers, lack of details of music or table plans, and unsatisfactory amplification for speeches, 04-06/05/1994; photocopy of letter from BR to Ruairí Quinn, TD, Minister for Enterprise and Employment, listing contacts for further reference following visit with MR to South Africa, and mentioning one (Colm Allen) had noted Crown Prince of Swaziland would be travelling to Ireland following June, 13/05/1994; photocopy of letter from BR to John Kennedy, Dept of Taoiseach, requesting copy of "The Animals", translated by Empress Michiko, Japan, 18/05/1994; briefing notes for and notes of meeting with Taoiseach, 13/06/1994 covering topics including ongoing talks on ceasefire in Northern Ireland, Austrian vote in European Union, outward visits which had taken place or were due to take place, finance issues relating to visits, and possibility of President delivering keynote address at World Conference on Women in Beijing, 12-13/06/1994; photocopy of press release issued by Department of Justice in relation to replacement of MR's car noting it was similar to ones provided to members of Government, and stating amount quoted in newspaper reports had significantly overstated the cost, 15/06/1994; memo re lunch MR had with Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Nick Robinson, Asif Ali Zardari [Prime Minister's husband], Begum Nusrat Bhutto [Prime Minister's mother] and BR, which included talk of the three guests' time in prison, parallels between Ireland and Pakistan, and the role of women, 04/07/1994; notes on meeting with Taoiseach, 12th September, covering topics including potential ceasefire in Northern Ireland, and her upcoming visit to Goma or Rwanda, 12/09/1994; briefing note for and notes of meeting with Taoiseach, 20th October, covering topics including ongoing developments in talks in Northern Ireland, MR's visits to Africa, expenditure, visit to US, and timing of announcement of High Court appointment, 19-20/10/1994; memo of meeting between MR and representatives of various NGOs, "Held under the auspices of the UNHCR, Kigali, Rwanda", on 13th October, 01/11/1994; note on protocols and itinerary for appointment of President of the High Court and of Attorney General, 11/11/1994.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/5/2

Correspondence mainly to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, including memo and attached correspondence relating to invitations and possible visits for 1994, along with notes on those not accepted, 15/12/1993-04/01/1994; memo from PR to Frank Murray (FM), Secretary to the Government, relating to call MR had received from Bosnian Prime Minister Dr Haris Silajdzic extending invitation to her to visit Sarajevo along with Benezir Bhutto and Tansu Ciller, 13/01/1994; list of invitations from foreign universities (1991-1994), 14/01/1994; note on security lapse at Áras an Uachtaráin, and need to update written instructions to staff personnel, 19/01/1994; note from PR to say Tánaiste "was up to his ears" and there was no possibility of meeting that day, 20/01/1994; notes of meeting with Taoiseach Albert Reynolds on 21st January, which covered topics including United Nations (UN) invitation [to head major study on future of UN] and legal opinions on the role of the President, and issues which had come to the fore including leaks to press and inconsistency in what invitations Government was allowing her to accept, along with notes on other matters including the December Joint Declaration (on Northern Ireland), 21/01/1994; note from Kay Gleeson, Personnel Officer, Áras an Uachtaráin [official residence of the President of Ireland] on procedures in relation to receipt of packages, 31/01-01/02/1994; notes from PR on estimates of expenditure for 1994, and fact that travel to Switzerland would push it over the budget, 03-28/02/1994.

This file also includes material relating to the “Ford Foundation Row" including notes on meeting between MR and Tánaiste [Dick Spring], which took place on MR's initiative following receipt of a letter from the Tánaiste about the Government decision on the Ford Foundation invitation and the legal opinion subsequently obtained by the President regarding the role of the President, 10/02/1994; photocopy of letter from MR to both Taoiseach and Tánaiste regarding concern she had over Emily O'Reilly's article in Irish Press and "over the disclosure, yet again in relation to the matter of the Ford Foundation invitation, of confidential dealings between the President and Government", noting she was not only concerned at the fact of the leak but its implications (re relationship between Office of President and Government), 17/02/1994; photocopy of response from Taoiseach, 17/02/1994; note on phone call from Niall Burgess, Private Secretary to the Tánaiste, in response asking that the "inference in that letter about [his] personal integrity" be withdrawn, 17/02/1994; photocopy of response to Tánaiste from MR where she stated she was making no inference only stating facts, and added "If matters that are discussed in such an intimate and confidential setting later appear in the media, by whatever process, it is difficult to see how relations between this office and the Government can be conducted in an atmosphere that facilitates the open exchange of views...", 18/02/1994; off the record handwritten notes by PR following conversation with MR giving sequence of events; selection of photocopies of press articles rating to the row, 17-20/02/1994.

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

Áras correspondence 1994.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/5

Correspondence mainly to President Mary Robinson (MR) from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, including photocopy of fax from Department of Foreign Affairs for Joe Brennan, [Deputy Secretary to the President], which includes message received from Russian President Boris Yeltsin, and translation, which includes reference to his wish to visit Ireland, for which a response needed to be drafted, 24/09-01/10/1993; memo relating to meeting of Bride Rosney[?], [Special Adviser to the President], with Inez McCormack, 20/10/1993, in which McCormack gave advice for upcoming trip to Belfast, 26/10/1993; briefing notes for and notes of meeting with Taoiseach, on 12th November, covering topics including Northern Ireland (Irish/British Official Talks Process and meeting with Church Leaders), European Council Meeting, the Matrimonial Home Bill, 1993, Remembrance Day ceremonies, and visits to New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, Hungary and Wales, 10-12/11/1993; notes on glossary of terms used in GAC report, sent by Frank Murray, Secretary to the Government, to PR, 22/11/1993; notes on Ford Foundation invitation updates, including notes on meeting with Taoiseach on 13th December 22/11-13/12/1993.

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