We get an insight into the workings of the ill-fated power-sharing Northern Ireland executive from cabinet papers just released. They were not released last year as some were being used for the Saville inquiry into Bloody Sunday in Derry.
At the preliminary meeting of the Northern Ireland power-sharing executive on December 31st, 1973, the incoming chief executive, Brian Faulkner, reminded his colleagues of the friendship and respect which had been established between them, not least during the Sunningdale talks, and hoped that this spirit would typify the whole range of the Executive's business.
The SDLP leader and deputy chief minister, Gerry Fitt, endorsed and supported his remarks.
Ministers agreed on confidentiality and decided that the executive would proceed on the principle of collective responsibility. Concern was raised about ministers' security.
It was agreed that the secretary of state (Merlyn Rees) should speak to the chief constable of the RUC and request a report on the security position of each minister.
The wording of a vote of confidence in the assembly was agreed, welcoming the return of "substantial devolved powers to an administration answerable to itself", and looking to the executive to pursue policies that would promote the peace, stability and progress of the whole community. Ministers called on all sections to pursue "peaceful, democratic and constitutional means alone".
"Let 1974 be the Day of Reconciliation," concluded the first statement of the power-sharing executive.