SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 7 MAY 1992 TO DISCUSS THE QUESTION OF IDENTITIES

Government Team

Mr Hanley

Mr Bell

Mr Hill

Talks Secretariat

Mr Lindsay

Also Present

Mr A Smyth

Alliance Party

Mr McBride

Mrs Bell

SDLP

Mr Haughey

Mr Durkan

UDUP

Mr Campbell

Mr Gibson

Mr Vitty (part)

UUP

Mr Cunningham

Mr Empey

Mrs Bradford

The Sub-Committee met from 2.15 pm to 6.15 pm with a break for tea.

2. There was a wide-ranging, comprehensive and informative discussion of the identities which exist in Northern Ireland and the differing perceptions of those identities across the communal divide.

3. It was agreed that each individual and community had the absolute right to define their own identity; and that that right and identity should be respected.

4. It was re-affirmed that any new political institutions should be such as to give expression to the identity and validity of each main tradition.

5. Attached are copies of the papers produced by each of the parties on this issue.