The contents of the London meeting were discussed by Stormont ministers at two final Cabinet meetings on March 23rd and 24th, 1972. A badly injured Mr John Taylor (junior minister at home affairs) was welcomed on his return to the Cabinet after an Official IRA attempt on his life in February.
The prime minister, Mr Brian Faulkner, summarised the position by explaining that each Cabinet was at that time considering the other's case and that contact between the two prime ministers would be resumed later that day. It was clear that although some common ground existed, the general attitude of the Westminster government could only be construed as disregarding the fundamental arguments of the Northern Ireland Cabinet and as an appeasement of the IRA and its supporters.
The meeting was adjourned to await developments in London and reconvened at 4.30 p.m. on the same day. When the meeting reconvened, Mr Faulkner reported he had received a telephone call from Mr Heath upholding the decision of the UK Cabinet the previous day. He had told the British prime minister that the Northern Ireland government had also maintained its position. Mr Heath had asked for further talks but Mr Faulkner warned his Cabinet that the British government was probably even then setting in motion the machinery for direct rule.
The Cabinet discussed its position with relation to any new form of administration in the North and agreed that it would be right for them to give all possible assistance in the transitional period. They then signed a letter addressed to Mr Heath. This stated that they had found the proposed transfer of law and order powers and the possibility of further radical changes unrealistic and unacceptable and offering no clear advantage to those suffering in Northern Ireland. The letter concluded by forecasting the resignation of the government and warning of the grave consequences which might flow from it.
At the conclusion of this meeting, Brian Faulkner and his deputy prime minister, Jack Andrews, flew to London for a final meeting with Mr Heath.
The Cabinet met again for its final session on the following morning, March 24th, 1972. Mr Faulkner reported that at the previous evening's discussions at 10 Downing Street, Mr Heath had indicated that, while he had considered Stormont's offer of a compromise on internment, the British government still insisted on a transfer of all law and order functions to Westminster.
The machinery for takeover was now in motion, Mr Faulkner stressed, and the British prime minister would be making a statement at 11 a.m. on the issue.
Mr Heath had asked Mr Faulkner and his colleagues to remain in office until the Bill had been enacted and Mr Faulkner felt obliged to agree to act responsibly.