Conclusions of the Bilateral DUP 23 October 1992 1705

Following a meeting with Sir Ninian Stephen, Mr Robinson was of the opinion that the the Irish would be willing to propose the amendment of Articles 2 and 3 but they were not willing to say so in terms.

Sir Ninian also indicated that the main Irish concern was to secure executive authority for new north/south institutions, which was unacceptable to the DUP. Furthermore, the indication that heads of department would be excluded if they supported terrorism or were opposed to the working of the new arrangements was a problem. This suggested to the DUP that there would be at most 3 or 4 Unionists in a "council of Ireland" of 12 members; this wasn't remotely sellable to the Unionist community. The DUP's willingness for the talks process to continue was therefore in no sense an acceptance of the particular ideas which seemed to be emerging.

The DUP were now in dialogue with the UUP to try to clarify the position of Sir Ninian. The Secretary of State encouraged them to pursue that. HMG expressed that the account which the DUP had received did not accord with their own understanding of the position; Sir Ninian would be contacted to clarify this.

Mr Robinson confirmed that the DUP had no objection of principle to north/south bodies being established by the two legislatures provided power resided with the latter; where there was benefit to be gained though co-operation the DUP had no rooted objection.

On Strand III issues - provided that there was an overall British/Irish umbrella the DUP were willing to see different sorts of business handled in different compartments. The important point with the DUP was that the over-arching tripartite body was seen to be the successor to the IGC.

The Secretary of State concluded that it was important to get the DUP fully back into the talks, if this was possible.