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10 things we have learned so far from the State papers

The article from MSN, detailing insights from the State Papers, reveals several key points about historical political and social issues in Ireland. It discusses the government's handling of the 1981 hunger strikes, where internal documents show the government's fear of the political fallout and the potential for increased support for Sinn Féin. There's mention of the controversial decision by Margaret Thatcher to allow Bobby Sands to stand for election, which led to his victory as an MP while on hunger strike. Additionally, the papers shed light on the secretive nature of the Anglo-Irish Agreement negotiations, highlighting the distrust between the British and Irish governments. Other revelations include the government's concerns over IRA activities, the economic policies during the 1980s recession, and the handling of child abuse scandals, where there was evident reluctance to confront the Catholic Church. The documents also touch on the Northern Ireland peace process, showing early groundwork for what would eventually lead to the Good Friday Agreement, and the internal debates within the Irish government about its approach to the Troubles.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-ie/politics/government/10-things-we-have-learned-so-far-from-the-state-papers/ar-AA1wEJjq ]