George Mitchell's ruling on the right of participants to offer motions and to insist on debate and a vote on such motions, 3 December 1996 | Quill

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Writing Peace: David Trimble Collection

George Mitchell's ruling on the right of participants to offer motions and to insist on debate and a vote on such motions, 3 December 1996

Tuesday, 03 December 1996

This note from George Mitchell outlines the decision of the Chairmen regarding the difference between raising an issue and voting on it. After extensive debate and written submissions from participants, it was determined that while each participant has the right to raise significant and relevant issues, this does not extend to an absolute right to demand a vote on each issue. The British Government, the Alliance Party, the Ulster Unionist Party, the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition, and the Irish Government all emphasized that the talks are a negotiation process, not a legislative one, and should focus on consensus-building rather than voting on motions. The Decision-Making process in the Rules of Procedure, particularly Rules 30 to 36, supports this consensus-based approach. The Chair, after consultation with colleagues General de Chastelain and Prime Minister Holkeri, concluded that the right to raise issues does not include an absolute right to a vote, aligning with practices in other democratic bodies such as the British Parliament and the United States Congress.

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