Harry Manning

Five things we learnt today from the State Papers include: the political campaign that Billy Wright's father David was organising to obtain an inquest into his son’s death; the impact of the publication of Agent Stakeknife’s identity; Bertie Ahern’s conce... See more

When Dick Spring, the tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs, proposed legislation aimed at creating more transparency around the "interest" of politicians in 1993, he met with some opposition from leading Fianna Fáil members. Arising from the erosion ... See more

The fallout from the publication in the media in 2003 of agent Stakeknife's identity is discussed in documents newly released to the national archives. A British Army agent at the heart of the IRA for many years, Stakeknife - widely believed to be Belfast... See more

An Irish ambassador's frustrations at department officials for their attitude to a proposed investment of $1bn from Saudi investors in the country's oil facilities is contained in newly released files from the National Archives. "I think it is very strang... See more

Tens of thousands of secret files are released every year as part of the annual State Paper release. This year, it is mainly 1995 that is in focus, although some older files often find their way into the huge tranche of papers. It is up to journalists to ... See more