Correspondence and other material relating to gifts given and received, and presentations made in 1994 in connection with Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency, including typed letter from J Lynch, Department of Foreign Affairs, to Joseph Brennan (JB), Deputy Secretary to the President, which accompanied gift of book for MR, from Chairman Aidid, given to Lynch during visit by Chief of Staff to Somalia in connection with the rotation of the Irish transport unit in Baidoa, 22/02/1994; handwritten letter from Ms Caitríona Ó Cróinín in relation to gift of journal of Clifden and Connemara Heritage Group (1st volume), and copy of typed reply from Bride Rosney, Special Adviser to the President, on behalf of MR, in which she references that MR was developing library on local history at Áras an Uachtaráin [official residence of the President of Ireland], 11-14/04/1994; copy of typed response from MR to Mr Tommy Morris in relation to gift of "the Micheal MacLiammoir book", 06/07/1994; copy of typed response to Senator David Norris in relation to gift of Ulysses, translated into Chinese, from Professor Jin Di, 19/10/1994; correspondence between JB and Ms Annabel König and Mr Donal Hurley, in relation to catalogue of their show "Ice to Water, Water to Words", which they had sent, 18/10-01/11/1994.

File also includes cover letter from Peter Ryan, Secretary to the President, to MR in relation to the Ethics in Public Office Bill, 1994, (enclosed), which although not applicable to the President, was applicable to the Office of the President and to how gifts received were treated, 31/05/1994.

See also P143/4/13/18, P143/4/13/19.

Ref: P143/4/13/5

Correspondence and other material relating to gifts given and received, and presentations made in 1995 in connection with Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency, including typed letter from Dr Antonina Zhelyazkova, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Center for Minority Studies and Intercultural Relations, Sofia, Bulgaria, which accompanied materials on the organisation's activities, and post-it note from Joe Brennan, Deputy Secretary to the President, to MR, noting gift of book had been passed on to Dr Zhelyazkova, 10-12/01/1995; wooden souvenir from Panasonic Hall of Science and Technology, Osaka Castle, stamped and marked "Welcome H.E. M Robinson 1995. 2 27.", 27/02/1995; handwritten letter from Dr John de Courcy Ireland, in relation to his book "the Admiral from Mayo", and MR's upcoming visit to Argentina, and from Eamonn [de Búrca?], de Búrca Rare Books, which accompanied an uncorrected proof of the book, 11/03/1995; typed letter from Gerhard Casper, Office of the President, Stanford University, California, United States of America, thanking MR for gift of crystal bowl, 26/10/1995; typed letter from Anna Zimmer, Grade 21 student, Hopkinton High School, Contoocook, New Hampshire, USA, which accompanied a gift of book "Immigrant's Voice", a compilation of journal excerpts written by students as though they were Irish 13-year-old immigrants in Boston in the 1840s, with copy of typed response from MR, 25/10-15/11/1995; copy of typed letter from Bride Rosney, Special Adviser to the President, to Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, American Ambassador's Residence, Dublin, with publication "Canticles of Word and Colour", by Sr Carmel Kehoe, originally sent to MR for delivery to President Clinton, 06/11/1995.

See also P143/4/13/20.

Ref: P143/4/13/6

Correspondence and other material relating to gifts given and received, and presentations made in 1996 in connection with Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency, including plastic folder with letters and poems in each sleeve, some decorated with pressed flowers, from members of the "Late Starters Club", a group of adults who left school early and returned to study English and complete the Junior Certificate exam at Blakestown Community School, sent to MR, 23 January 1996, ahead of her visit on 13 February, 1996 [note loose petals, pollen etc.]; file of material consisting of Certificado de Autenticidad [Certificate of Authenticity] for oil painting on canvass entitled "Armonia", by artist Ernestine Alganaras with artist's biography, 1994 [date of painting, not of gifting], blank accession sheets, and four letters drafted or sent on 01/04/1996 to donors of gifts suggesting donor would like to display gift on their own premises, with background of events at which MR was gifted the items, including visit of Kerry Association in Dublin to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) [official residence of President of Ireland], 19/04/1992, visit of MR to Ballybunnion and meeting with local Sea and Cliff Rescue Service, 22/06/1993, meeting of members of LAMA during visit to Ballina, County Mayo, 16/04/1993 and visit of representatives of the Friedreichs Ataxia Society to the Áras, 15/05/1992; typed letter from Di Jin, Fellow, Center for Advanced Studies, University of Virgina, United States of America (USA) which accompanied copies of their second and last volume of their Chinese translation of James Joyce's Ulysses, the first volume of which was presented to MR in 1993, 22/04/1996; typed signed letter from Arthur Chaskalson, President, Constitutional Court of South Africa, in relation to gifts of Irish Law Books and Waterford Crystal gavel, sent to him following MR's visit to the Court, 20/05/1996; cream paper folder with emblem for USA, containing official statement with details of the hand-crafted sterling silver cache pot, a signature gift for President William [Bill] Clinton to present during his tenure, which was gifted to MR during her State visit 13/06/1996; typed letter from Newt Gingrich, The Speaker, United States House of Representatives, in relation to MR's gift of "The Green Cockade, by Liam Swords, given to him while she visited the Capitol, and to his enclosed gift of "Undaunted Courage", by Steven Ambrose, on the adventures of explorers Louis and Clark, 17/06/1996; typed signed letter from Al Gore, Vice President of USA, in relation to gift of silver bowl and hand thrown pottery vase, which MR presented during her visit to Washington, DC, USA, 18/06/1996; typed signed letter from Clinton thanking MR for gifts of glass vase, silver bowl, framed photograph gifted by MR to the Clintons during her visit, and with handwritten note "We loved having you. Hillary sends her best", 20/06/1996; typed signed letter from Warren Christopher, Secretary of State, USA thanking MR for gifts of wood turned vessel, by Liam Flynn, and signed pottery jug, given by her during her visit to USA, 05/08/1995; booklet "The Wreck of the British Queen", by Robert F Mooney, sent to the Robinsons "from an admirer in Nantucket", the author, 30/11/1996.

See also P143/4/13/21.

Ref: P143/4/13/7

Correspondence and other material relating to gifts given and received, and presentations made in 1997 in connection with Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency, including photograph (removed from frame at some stage) of Michael Collins, presented to MR by Michael Noel Griffin, Chairman, Michael Collins Association, London, on 25/01/1997; typed letter from Paul M Kennedy, Dilworth Professor of History, Director, International Security Studies, New Haven, CT, United States of America (USA), thanking Robinsons for gift of work on Edmund Burke and a caricature [by Nick Robinson?], 13/02/1997; letter from Mr Rory MacLean which accompanied his book "The Oatmeal Ark", with copy of typed response from MR, 18/01-17/02/1997; typed letter from Charley Clarke, Department of Economics, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York, USA, thanking MR for visit to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) [official residence of the President of Ireland], and which had accompanied a jar of maple syrup, 28/04/1997; typed letter from Mai O'Brien thanking MR for invite to the May day celebration in Áras, and enclosing a poem she had written for MR, 02/06/1997; handwritten note from Office of the Aide-de-Camp which had accompanied a book which was to be passed on to MR from Ms Lindsey Daly, Caragh N.S. [National School?], and which featured a photograph of MR with Daly's grandfather, 04/06/1997; label in black calligraphy and brass plate, which was originally on a presentation bottle of Columba Cream Liqueur, commemorating the 1400th anniversary of death of Saint Columba [aka Colmcille], and presented to MR at Fionnphort, Isle of Mull, 08/06/1997; "The Great Famine": black plastic folder with pages inserted in each plastic sleeve covering the cartography of the Famine, presented to MR on 14 June 1997 at garden party at Áras by Eoghan Ó Riagáin, and including thank-you letter from MR, 25/04-16/06/1997; letter from Mary O'Rourke, TD, Minister for Public Enterprise, who had served on MR's Council of State, thanking MR for her letter and gift prior to departing Office of the President of Ireland, 02/10/1997.

See also P143/4/13/9.

Ref: P143/4/13/8

Blue leather-covered book with gold edging and lettering, in English and Irish, giving history of Áras an Uachtaráin and its inhabitants, produced during President Mary Robinson (MR)'s successor President Mary McAleese's term of office, and presented in blue leather custom case, with State emblem, the Harp, embossed on cover.

[Archivist' Note: While work to update the building and grounds is covered in this book, very little reference is made to the substantial work that was instigated by MR and NR and carried out during MR's presidency, apart from brief reference to the Visitor Centre being opened.]

Ref: P143/4/10/9

Correspondence relating to legal issues and responsibilities of role of President of Ireland including typed memo from Micheál [?] on the procedures for the appointment of The Judge Advocate by the President, with copy of Section 15 of the Defence Act 1954, 06/12/1990; handwritten note from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, flagging that section 8 of the Adoption Bill was causing concern and attaching photocopy of Dáil debates where the Adoption Bill was discussed, 08-28/05/1991; typed memos from PR to Ann Lane, Personal Assistant to the President, in relation to the appointment of two High Court Judges, at Áras an Uachtaráin [official residence of the President of Ireland], later in the year, 16-20/09/1991; photocopy of Government press release on Taoiseach [Irish Prime Minister]'s nominees for Seanad Éireann [Irish Senate], 10/02/1993; draft text for appointment by MR of Professor Roger Stalley, as Trustee of Chester Beatty Library, 1993; typed memos from Peter Ryan (PR) to Mary Robinson (MR) in relation to proposal from Government to introduce urgent Bill to close loophole in connection with drink driving cases, 23/06/1993, in relation to legislation re "Somalia Peace Enforcement", 24/06/1993, in relation to referral of two bills to the Supreme Court (The Matrimonial Home Bill, 1993 and The Criminal Law (Public Order) Bill, 1993), 11/10/1993, and in relation to the presentation for signature of the Matrimonial Home Bill, 1993, 23/11/1993; photocopy of correspondence between Patrick Boland, Managing Director, Sonas Publishing Company Ltd., and Joseph Brennan, Deputy Secretary to the President, in which Boland had gifted a photo-painting of MR, and planned, without approval, to include it in "The Sonas Collection", and which was being returned unopened, as the project would "present fundamental difficulties insofar as the Office of the President was concerned", with Brennan noting that should the project proceed, the provision of Section 65 of The Trade Marks Act, 1963 would need to be taken into account, and all publicity and advertising would need to clearly state project had not received approval or been sanctioned by the President, 14/07/1994; photocopy of letter from Harold A Whelan to Taoiseach resigning from the Office of Attorney General following his nomination by the Government for appointment by MR to the Office of President of the High Court, of official statement in Irish from Government advising MR as President to accept his resignation, and photocopy of MR's acceptance of the resignation, 11/11/1994; photocopy of Government press release "Establishment of Constitution Review Group", under chairmanship of Dr TK Whitaker, 27/04/1995; typed document from Dept of the Environment, sent to MR, giving results of the Referendum of 24 November 1995 [15th Amendment Dissolution of Marriage: removed the constitutional prohibition on divorce, and allowed for the dissolution of a marriage provided specified conditions were satisfied], with cover note from Colm Butler noting the Bill had not been presented yet for signature, 14-15/06/1996 [it was signed on 17th]; typed note from PR relating to the Family Law (Divorce) Bill, 1996, giving reasoning behind MR's decision not to consult with the Council of State on it or refer it to the Supreme Court, 22/11/1996; correspondence between MR and Ms Annette O'Connell, Registrar, Tribunal of Inquiry (Dunnes Payments), in which MR responds that she had not personally received any payment from Dunnes Holding Company, and that she had become aware a donation was made to the Labour party for her Presidential campaign, which would need to be queried directly Mr Ruairi Quinn, Director of Elections, 03-11/03/1997.

Ref: P143/4/14/1

This subseries consists of correspondence and other material relating to legal issues and responsibilities attached to role of President of Ireland, the signing of several bills. Material includes that relating to the Referendum (Amendment) Bill, 1992 (P143/4/14/2), Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, 1993 (P143/4/14/3), Matrimonial Home Bill (P143/4/14/4), Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill, 1993 (P143/4/14/5), Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies), Bill, 1995 (P143/4/14/6), The Employment Equality Bill, 1996 (P143/4/14/7), The Equal Status Bill, 1997 (P143/4/14/8), Mary Robinson resigning as president (P143/4/14/10), dissolution of Dáil Éireann (P143/4/14/11), Council of State (P143/4/14/12), compilation lists of Irish Cases (P143/4/14/13) and Dáil acts passed (P143/4/14/14).
Ref: P143/4/14

Material relating to the Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill, 1993 including various Supreme Court Judgements sent to Bride [Rosney, Special Adviser to the President] by Emer Colleran, An Taisce, 30/05/1993; fax from Colleran with more background information and commentary on issues with the Bill, and note that she was "not trying to influence", 04/06/1993; fax from An Taisce of letter they sent to Minister Michael Smith, TD, Minister for the Environment, in which they lay out issues they had with Bill, 04/06/1993; memo from Peter Ryan, Secretary to the President, to President Mary Robinson in relation to the timing of when Bill would be presented for signature, the issues with it and his contention that they were more political than legal, along with copies of Bill which had passed the Dáil [Dáil Éireann, lower house of Irish parliament] and cuttings relating to criticism Bill was facing, 10-11/06/1993.

Ref: P143/4/14/5

Material relating to the Matrimonial Home Bill [aiming to give each Spouse equal rights to house ownership], including typed memo from Peter Ryan, Secretary to the President, to President Mary Robinson (MR) noting Bill had been passed in the Seanad [Seanad Éireann, Irish Senate] with one amendment and was expected to be taken by the Dáil [Dáil Éireann, lower house of Irish parliament] later in the month, with background information on some of the issues and recommendation MR refer Bill to Supreme Court, 04/11/1993; original typed decision of Supreme Court, which found proposed Bill "repugnant to the Constitution", and signed by Chief Justice Finlay, 24/01/1994; A3 photocopy of legal declaration by President of Ireland to Chairman of Seanad Éireann, declining to sign Bill based on Supreme Court's finding, [January?] 1994.

Ref: P143/4/14/4

Material in this subseries relates to Northern Ireland, the ongoing conflict and efforts to bring peace to the region. It is further subdivided into five subsubseries covering reports and background information (P143/4/16/1), correspondence (P143/4/16/2), events and conferences (P143/4/16/3), press statements, interviews, cuttings and photographs (P143/4/15/4) and Co-operation North (P143/4/15/5). As per themes listed out in minutes in P143/9/2/1, MR sought to extend hand of friendship and love to both communities in Northern Ireland "with no strings attached, no hidden agenda", and over the term of her presidency she would visit Northern Ireland 17 times. Material here overlaps with material throughout this series relating to Northern Ireland including P143/4/5, P143/4/6, P143/4/8, P143/4/9 and P143/4/18 as well as elsewhere in the collection.

Ref: P143/4/16