The Irish Government and the S.D.L.P.: March - December 1973

In March 1973, a new Irish coalition government took office in the midst of a complete breakdown of society in Northern Ireland. Further escalation of the situation was threatened both within Northern Ireland and further south in the Republic. The British Government had just announced its intention to attempt to resolve the crisis, with the participation of the Irish Government and the northern political parties, including the nationalist S.D.L.P. Initial frosty relations between Dublin and the S.D.L.P., both on a personal level and on a policy level, threatened to thwart both from achieving their objectives in the upcoming negotiations, which were to take place at the end of that year. However, necessity compelled them ultimately to co-ordinate their strategies, resulting in an effective and beneficial partnership. This book analyses and presents the development of that dynamic relationship during that significant period, March - December 1973, and demonstrates how important it was for both the Irish Government and the S.D.L.P.