Minister to suggest releasing some State papers after 20 years instead of 30

Minister for Heritage Heather Humpreys will bring a memo to Cabinet today proposing to cut the release of certain State papers from 30 to 20 years, on a phased basis.

It stems from concerns that a British view of Anglo-Irish relations will become the accepted history, after the UK began releasing documents after 20 years in 2013.

A spokesperson for Minister Humphreys told the Irish Times that she believes there will be an incomplete view of our history unless action is taken.

Some of the events likely to be covered by a reduced release time would be the 1993 Downing Street Declaration and the Belfast Agreement of 1998.