Northern Ireland

Taoiseach: The status of Northern Ireland will not be altered without the consent of its people – On This Day in 1974

The Sunningdale talks resulted in agreement on the creation of a power-sharing executive and Council of Ireland
The new power-sharing Executive expressed hope, forlorn as it transpired, that 1974 would be the 'year of reconciliation'
By Cormac Moore

January 2 1974

The right of people of Northern Ireland to determine their own political future was reaffirmed by the Taoiseach, Mr [Liam] Cosgrave, in a message to the Chief Executive, Mr [Brian] Faulkner.

Mr Cosgrave said: “On behalf of the Government and on my own behalf I send you and your colleagues in the Executive congratulations on your entry into office and the assurance of our cooperation.

“The peace of Northern Ireland, and indeed of the Republic, depends on the success of your efforts. It is therefore our duty in this part of Ireland to spare no effort to help you in your task. I wish to assure you and your colleagues that we join with you in defending your democratic institutions against violence and those who seek to undermine or wreck these institutions by violence will find no refuge here. These are no mere words.”

The peace of Northern Ireland, and indeed of the Republic, depends on the success of your efforts. It is therefore our duty in this part of Ireland to spare no effort to help you in your task

—  Liam Cosgrave

The Taoiseach went on: “In addition, I wish to assert again our determination that the status of Northern Ireland will not be altered without the consent of its people. The people of the Republic believe that the work which your Executive now undertakes will bring social justice, peace and prosperity to Northern Ireland. I know I speak for all men of goodwill in conveying our good wishes to you and your colleagues on this historic occasion”.

Liam Cosgrave was the son of WT Cosgrave, who was head of the state's first government from 1922 to 1932
Liam Cosgrave was the son of WT Cosgrave, who was head of the state's first government from 1922 to 1932

Stop the Killing, Plea by Executive

In their first statement to the people of Northern Ireland, the Executive asked men of violence to stop killing and urged that 1974 should be the year of reconciliation.

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Their calls came following the first meeting of the Executive in a statement in which they said they wanted to state clearly how they intended Northern Ireland to be governed.

“We have undertaken to serve in the interests of Northern Ireland and all of its people” said the Executive. “That is the spirit in which we shall always act, both individually and collectively. We want the New Year to see the beginning not just of a new system of government, but of a new spirit. Let 1974 be the year of reconciliation. We will be guided by respect for fundamental human rights: the right to work, the right to a decent home, the right above all to live in peace and freedom”.

The statement continued: “In the name of this community which has suffered so much, we call upon those organisations which have been pursuing political ends by violent means to stop the killing. There is no mandate for such acts; no constructive ends to be achieved by them.”

With a new power-sharing Executive meeting for the first time, there was hope – forlorn hope as it transpired – from Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, as well as the participating parties, that 1974 would be the year that peace would come about in Northern Ireland.