State Papers and Official Records
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.
