Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 26 May 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement

Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Fianna Fáil probably had 80 Deputies and 20 Senators at the time. We were a big parliamentary party and we were all surprised when the issue was broached first. The preparatory work was done, however, and there was then no dissent whatsoever within the Fianna Fáil Party in that regard because we saw the importance of it. It was not sprung on people as a surprise. The homework was done in preparation, which was-----