Both the British and Irish and Northern Irish governments release annually what are sometimes known as State Papers, or Cabinet Papers or Official Records.
The papers were generally released under what was known as the Thirty Year Rule, although some of the timelines have changed in recent years. Sometimes records deemed sensitive are locked away for longer.
NI’s Public Record Office handles the release locally, and its annual release policy is explained in more detail here.
Every year, Éamon could be seen in the likes of PRONI’s offices devouring each year’s releases.
His expert reports, particularly in the Irish News, are an invaluable political and historical record of modern Irish history, particularly in relation to Northern Ireland. Over time we plan to greatly add to this collection.
A selection of State Papers (1989-1998)
1989 state papers (page 1)
RUC rank and file had become ‘more sectarian’ during 1980s; UDR tried to intimidate Irish army checkpoint.
Published December 30 2016
1989 state papers (page 2)
Murder of comedian’s father features in files; Anger at arrests of 28 UDR members; Stalker confided in Irish diplomat.
Published December 30 2016
1989 state papers (page 3)
Prospect of NIO minister attending GAA game discussed; IRA plan to exploit key Tory policy.
Published December 30 2016
1989 state papers (page 4)
Concern over ‘hard-border’ stance; Violent scenes at Stormont.
Published December 30 2016
1989 state papers (page 5)
Collapse of Hume-Adams talks anticipated; Bishop warned of ‘deep scepticism’; Tensions in the SDLP.
Published December 30 2016
1989 state papers (page 6)
Thatcher had deep misgivings over reunification of Germany; Tory coup shock.
Published December 30 2016
1992 state papers (page 4)
Enniskillen bombing may have been a premeditated attack; ‘Paisley KFC smear attempt’ by the NIO.
Published December 29 2017
1992 state papers (page 5)
Irish language act prefigured in previously confidential files; Bishops voice opposition to priority funding for integrated education.
Published December 29 2017
1992 state papers (page 6)
Vatican lobbied to issue papal statement denouncing IRA violence.
Published December 29 2017
1992 state papers (page 7)
Highlighting ban on abortion in Northern Ireland; Report shows underfunding of Catholic schools in north.
Published December 29 2017
1992 state papers (page 8)
Reynolds: Ireland not ruled by Rome; ‘Busloads of the bleeding’ in wake of Omagh blast; pressed for tougher measures; Mayhew: Loyalists are ‘unruly horses’.
Published December 29 2017
1994 state papers (page 1)
Row over Adams visa strained relations between governments; NIO: Clinton more forthcoming to nationalists.
Published December 28 2018
1994 state papers (page 2)
British opposed Irish president’s decision to meet Sinn Féin leader; Paisley hoped for devolved administration which could negotiate with the Republic.
Published December 28 2018
1994 state papers (page 3)
Discrimination claims over border farm security gates; Concern over reports that unionists thought nationalists had benefited from IRA violence.
Published December 28 2018
1994 state papers (page 4)
Withdrawal of Irish language group funding condemned; Mayhew berated over his parade ‘cannibals’ remarks; Orange Order birthplace plan criticised.
Published December 28 2018
1994 state papers (page 5)
Adams did not sell ceasefire to ‘hard men’ US official told; Hume concerned by speed of Portlaoise prisoners’ release.
Published December 28 2018
1996 state papers (page 2)
Broadcast ban lifted after ‘realistic’ Sinn Féin voices.
Published December 30 2019
1996 state papers (page 3)
British government feared republican use of internet; Unionists worried Sinn Fein could capture Westminster seat in 1996.
Published December 30 2019
1996 state papers (page 4)
Trimble: Hume like grappling with fog; Alderdice considered McGuinness ‘an evil man’.
Published December 30 2019
1996 state papers (page 5)
Trimble showed ‘little instinct to compromise’; Eames appeal to RUC chief.
Published December 30 2019
1996 state papers (page 6)
Drumcree ‘disaster’ for community relations; Flanagan praised for parades pragmatism; Secretary of state denied ‘capitulating to violence’.
Published December 30 2019
1996 state papers (page 7)
RUC man’s gun threat and UDR ‘vile sectarian slur’; Paisley: Ulster Scots beaten out of schoolchildren.
Published December 30 2019
1997 state papers (page 1)
Hume sought help of Protestant church leaders to restore IRA ceasefire; 1997 saw continuation of IRA campaign, church pickets and Billy Wright murder.
Published December 30 2020
1997 state papers (page 2)
Files on Second World War republican internees declassified after 80 years; Congressmen raised concerns about cases of men jailed for corporal murders.
Published December 30 2020
1997 state papers (page 3)
Major blocked Famine service; Alderdice: IRA gave up violence because it was ‘unsuccessful’.
Published December 30 2020
1997 state papers (page 4)
Sinn Féin Christmas party invitation created headache; Republic officials concerned about Wright move to Maze; NIO strongly rebuffed Irish government query Restorick was killed by accidental discharge; Several couples illegally adopted Romanian orphans.
Published December 30 2020
1997 state papers (page 5)
New Blair government warned of parades issue; Looming Drumcree dominated inter-government summit; Harryville arson attack prompted tougher police response.
Published December 30 2020
1997 state papers (page 6)
Protestant traders sought NIO meeting on boycott concerns; ‘Widespread intimidation and attacks’; Eames call for Mayhew shops visit rejected.
Published December 30 2020
1998 state papers (page 1)
McGuinness and Ervine in talks confrontation; Sinn Féin’s historic meeting with unionists ‘damp squib’.
Published December 29 2021
1998 state papers (page 2)
Reynolds: Ireland not ruled by Rome; ‘Busloads of the bleeding’ in wake of Omagh blast; pressed for tougher measures; Mayhew: Loyalists are ‘unruly horses’.
Published December 29 2021
1998 state papers (page 3)
Ahern’s prediction on united Ireland ‘stupid’; Major: British ‘don’t believe word’ IRA say; Decommissioning dominated discussions; Demands causing ceasefire collapse ‘pointless’.
Published December 29 2021
1998 state papers (page 4)
Limited march through Portadown accompanied by nationalist residents ‘might solve dispute’; Concerns about border poll two weeks after GFA; After deaths Blair told order to end standoff; ‘Charm offensive’ in run-up to Drumcree 1997.
Published December 29 2021
1998 state papers (page 5)
Sinn Féin opposed to a Parliament Buildings base; Prisoners key issue in final Good Friday talks; Queen Elizabeth opening assembly ‘delicate’; Mayhew told by official ‘don’t be colonial’.
Published December 29 2021
A selection of State Papers (1979)
1979 state papers (page 1)
Diplomats angered by lack of security for Mountbatten; Files on assassination of Airey Neave not released; Tensions grew between US and Britain over RUC guns.
Published December 30 2009
1979 state papers (page 2)
Election of Tories met by surge in political violence.
Published December 30 2009
1979 state papers (page 3)
Priest tried to ease tensions in H Block.
Published December 30 2009
1979 state papers (page 4)
Widening gulf between London and Dublin clear during summit; Row over guards’ right to shoot escapees.
Published December 30 2009
1979 state papers (page 5)
Hostility shown to priest’s efforts on behalf of inmates.
Published December 30 2009
1979 state papers (page 6)
Irish government paid expenses to the SDLP; Hume ‘wanted internment brought back to tackle IRA’.
Published December 30 2009
1979 state papers (page 7)
Prisoners were kept inside over theft fears; Bullet-proof glass was ruled out in bid to safeguard Pope.
Published December 30 2009