Lift Secrecy On The Hundred Side Deals

 SDLP Senior Negotiator Sean Farren has put in a freedom of information request to demand publication of the over 100 side deals and secret understandings that the DUP has with the British Government over the so-called Comprehensive Agreement.

 Mr Farren stated:

 “In 2004 the DUP scored a double whammy against the Good Friday Agreement. First they got Sinn Fein to sign up in the Comprehensive Agreement which undermined the Good Friday Agreement’s fundamentals. Then Peter Robinson revealed that they had over 100 side deals and secret understandings with the British Government on what the Comprehensive Agreement actually meant. They can only compound the damage done.

 “The British are now asking the rest of us to agree to the Comprehensive Agreement. But the SDLP will not do anything to undermine the Good Friday Agreement.  We want them to be given not only to us, but to all the parties so that everybody can see what is really on the table.

 “We want a process of equals. That is the only way to do business.  All that is wrong is that some parties and paramilitaries are not honouring it. It is time the Governments put it up to them to do so.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

 1. On 8 December 2004 the Governments published the so-called Comprehensive Agreement.

 2. On10 December 2004, Peter Robinson issued a press release stating that:

“The Comprehensive Agreement is merely the core of the proposals which we have accepted but is also augmented by over a hundred clarificatory answers, notes and letters.”

See www.peterrobinson.org <http://www.peterrobinson.org>

3.  Alarmed by this, the SDLP demanded publication of these side letters, notes and answers at a meeting with the two Governments on 15 December 2004. We made this demand public in a press release issued on the same day. But the British Government has kept them secret to this day.

4.   Not alarmed it seems by any of this, Gerry Adams still maintained in an article in the Irish News on 20December 2004 that the Comprehensive Agreement was “a remarkable achievement.” Sinn Fein, which negotiated the Comprehensive Agreement with the DUP has never made clear that it has seen these over 100 side deals

LETTER TO DAVID HANSON

David Hanson MP

Minister of State

Northern Ireland Office

Stormont Castle

BELFAST

 2 March 2006

Dear David,

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIONACT

 As you will be aware, the two Governments have asked the SDLP to participate in negotiations on the proposals contained in the “Comprehensive Agreement” published by the two Governments on 8 December 2004.

 On 10 December 2004, DUP Deputy Leader Peter Robinson stated in a widely reported press release which I attach that:

“The Comprehensive Agreement is merely the core of the proposals which we have accepted but is also augmented by over a hundred clarificatory answers, notes and letters.”

On 15 December 2004, at a meeting with the two Governments, the SDLP formally requested sight of these side letters, notes and clarificatory answers. We never received them.

As you will I hope appreciate, it is difficult for us to participate effectively and on an equal basis in these negotiations without sight of these materials given to the DUP.

 I am therefore writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act requesting that these be provided to us - and to such other parties in these negotiations not already in receipt of them - so that we can all participate as equals in a truly inclusive process.

 A copy of this letter goes to Noel Treacy TD, Minister of State.

 With best regards,

SEAN FARREN MLA