Ceasefires

Meanwhile discussions between local political parties and the British and Irish governments also helped narrow differences. A secret 'back channel' was also maintained between government officials and loyalist and republican paramilitaries. The 1993 Downing Street Declaration outlined the British and Irish government’s proposals for political developments. Following further discussions the IRA announced a ceasefire in late August 1994 and in October loyalist paramilitaries also announced a ceasefire. 

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Following the ceasefire, political negotiations slowly continued. Disagreements over decommissioning of weapons and some frustration over the slow progress of the peace process led to the breakdown of the ceasefire in 1996, when an IRA bomb exploded in Canary Wharf, London. After further negotiation and the election of a Labour government who reduced the demands for the handing over of arms, the IRA declared a new ceasefire in July 1997.