The Good Friday Agreement 1998

• Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams gained Westminster seats
• Tony Blair stated in PIRA announced a ceasefire they would get immediate access to talks
• PIRA ceasefire on the 20th July 1997
• SF entered talks in Sepetember 1997
• DUP and UKUP would not enter talks with SF
• The Real IRA was formed
• John De Chatain chaired the independent international commission on decommissioning
• A deadline for Holy Thursay 1998 was set
• Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern and Bill Clinton joined negotiations after the deadline was overrun.
• On the 10th April 1998 an agreement was reached
• Strand One

  An 108 member assembly was agreed with full legislative and executive authority.
• Strand two

  A north-south ministerial council was organised for cross border cooperation on agriculture, health, tourism and trade.
• Strand three

  Council of Isles would consist of members of all parliaments and encourage cooperation. A British Irish intergovernmental conference would have responsibilities similar to the AIA
• Other Elements

  Irish Government renounced claim to the island of Ireland

  Prisoner releases

  Decommissioning

  A new police force representing both communities would be set up
• UUP reaction


  Jeffrey Donaldson walked out of negotiations and over half of MPs went against the deal. A united unionist campaign was st up to oppose the GFA.
• Republican reactions

  The PIRA felt it fell short. They wouldn't decommission. SF advised supporters to support the agreement. They changed their constitution to allow members to take seats in the N.I. assembly.
• A referendum revealed over 70% of N.I. supported the agreement.
• Over 90% in the republic agreed to change the constitution
• Elections were held in June 1998 and 75% elected were in support of the GFA
• The first meeting was the 15th July 1998
• The first minister was David Trimble
• Deputy first minister was Seamus Mallon
• John Alderdice was presiding officer