Ted Howell dedicated his adult life to the reunification of Ireland.
When the news of the death of Ted Howell was confirmed, there was genuine sadness among the former members of the Irish Government delegation who took part in the Good Friday negotiations and subsequent interactions with Sinn Féin. Ted was especially well liked and respected by politicians and officials from Dublin. We were never in doubt about his importance and influence within the Republican Movement.
My first contact with the Howell family was with Ted’s wife, Eileen, in her role with the Falls Community Council. I had managed to get the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin to provide some financial support for the cash strapped Council which, of course, was a good start. In addition, as an Irish Government “traveller”, tasked with providing contact and information on the North, the Council was an important venue to get an accurate picture on developments in West Belfast. The Irish Government had boycotted Republicans for many years so in the early days of the peace process, we were intent on strengthening our contacts in Republican areas. I was a regular visitor to the Council offices, where you would be sure of meeting with the most interesting of people. Eileen would regularly berate the Irish Government but always made our representatives feel welcome.
As the multi-party negotiations in Castle Buildings in the lead up to the Good Friday Agreement, grew in intensity, we soon noticed that Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, would almost invariably have a word with the quiet man in the delegation, Ted Howell, whenever we reached a critical juncture. Ted, during the initial stages, often remained silent in these meetings. However, it was clear he was the Republican leader’s trusted advisor and friend. Ted was unshakably loyal to the Adams leadership. He was also very close to Republicans, Jim Gibney and Danny Morrison.
As the negotiations developed, Ted became more and more prominent. He was always firm in his views but was able to put his opinions and arguments in a coherent and reasonable manner. Once the business exchanges had finished, there was never any residual feeling of personal antagonism. He was soft spoken but we noticed early on that whenever Ted Howell intervened, the rest of the Sinn Féin delegation listened intently, as we did ourselves. We regularly informally floated ideas and word formulae quietly with Ted, whom we knew had the full confidence of Gerry Adams. Ted’s initial reaction was usually a good indication of whether Sinn Féin would be in the market for a compromise. He had a great ability to absorb detail and left his imprint on all Sinn Féin’s key policy documents. He became chair of the Sinn Féin negotiation team.
He could be steadfast in his views. At the Weston Park Conference, where the Irish Government was strongly pressing Sinn Féin to accept the reformed Policing Bill and join the Policing Board, Ted led the withdrawal of the Sinn Féin delegation, with his leader, Gerry Adams. Just before the hurried exit of Sinn Féin, and the exchanges became more intense, he let us know forcibly what he perceived as the shortcomings of our approach. However, within a few short days, good relations were restored. Throughout our interactions, very few of the media knew about Ted’s role or his influence. He always kept a low public profile yethe provided much of the political analysis of why the Republican Movement should embrace the peace process.
Ted Howell was personally a gracious man, who abhorred sectarianism. He regularly admonished IRA members who were showing any inclination to stray into that area. He remained remarkably without bitterness, despite having his brother, Jim, murdered by Loyalists in 1972. His time in the IRA was certainly eventful, including being an internee on the HMS Maidstone in Belfast Lough and later in Long Kesh. He was relaxed in private conversations about recounting some of his experiences during that period.
He was a dedicated united Irelander and in casual conversations in recent years, he would always say that reunification of the country was his primary objective. He had dedicated his adult life to its achievement.
Ted Howell had a very easy way about him and over the years, I always felt comfortable in his company. He had a difficult time in recent years with illness which he bore with grace.
In the end, I will always remember him first and foremost as a family man and how he greatly missed his wife, Eileen, who passed away in 2004.
By Ray Bassett former diplomat and part of the Irish Government back-room team who helped negotiate The Good Friday.
Ted Howell dedicated his adult life to the reunification of Ireland.
When the news of the death of Ted Howell was confirmed, there was genuine sadness among the former members of the Irish Government delegation who took part in the Good Friday negotiations and subsequent interactions with Sinn Féin. Ted was especially well liked and respected by politicians and officials from Dublin. We were never in doubt about his importance and influence within the Republican Movement.
My first contact with the Howell family was with Ted’s wife, Eileen, in her role with the Falls Community Council. I had managed to get the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin to provide some financial support for the cash strapped Council which, of course, was a good start. In addition, as an Irish Government “traveller”, tasked with providing contact and information on the North, the Council was an important venue to get an accurate picture on developments in West Belfast. The Irish Government had boycotted Republicans for many years so in the early days of the peace process, we were intent on strengthening our contacts in Republican areas. I was a regular visitor to the Council offices, where you would be sure of meeting with the most interesting of people. Eileen would regularly berate the Irish Government but always made our representatives feel welcome.
As the multi-party negotiations in Castle Buildings in the lead up to the Good Friday Agreement, grew in intensity, we soon noticed that Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, would almost invariably have a word with the quiet man in the delegation, Ted Howell, whenever we reached a critical juncture. Ted, during the initial stages, often remained silent in these meetings. However, it was clear he was the Republican leader’s trusted advisor and friend. Ted was unshakably loyal to the Adams leadership. He was also very close to Republicans, Jim Gibney and Danny Morrison.
As the negotiations developed, Ted became more and more prominent. He was always firm in his views but was able to put his opinions and arguments in a coherent and reasonable manner. Once the business exchanges had finished, there was never any residual feeling of personal antagonism. He was soft spoken but we noticed early on that whenever Ted Howell intervened, the rest of the Sinn Féin delegation listened intently, as we did ourselves. We regularly informally floated ideas and word formulae quietly with Ted, whom we knew had the full confidence of Gerry Adams. Ted’s initial reaction was usually a good indication of whether Sinn Féin would be in the market for a compromise. He had a great ability to absorb detail and left his imprint on all Sinn Féin’s key policy documents. He became chair of the Sinn Féin negotiation team.
He could be steadfast in his views. At the Weston Park Conference, where the Irish Government was strongly pressing Sinn Féin to accept the reformed Policing Bill and join the Policing Board, Ted led the withdrawal of the Sinn Féin delegation, with his leader, Gerry Adams. Just before the hurried exit of Sinn Féin, and the exchanges became more intense, he let us know forcibly what he perceived as the shortcomings of our approach. However, within a few short days, good relations were restored. Throughout our interactions, very few of the media knew about Ted’s role or his influence. He always kept a low public profile yethe provided much of the political analysis of why the Republican Movement should embrace the peace process.
Ted Howell was personally a gracious man, who abhorred sectarianism. He regularly admonished IRA members who were showing any inclination to stray into that area. He remained remarkably without bitterness, despite having his brother, Jim, murdered by Loyalists in 1972. His time in the IRA was certainly eventful, including being an internee on the HMS Maidstone in Belfast Lough and later in Long Kesh. He was relaxed in private conversations about recounting some of his experiences during that period.
He was a dedicated united Irelander and in casual conversations in recent years, he would always say that reunification of the country was his primary objective. He had dedicated his adult life to its achievement.
Ted Howell had a very easy way about him and over the years, I always felt comfortable in his company. He had a difficult time in recent years with illness which he bore with grace.
In the end, I will always remember him first and foremost as a family man and how he greatly missed his wife, Eileen, who passed away in 2004.
By Ray Bassett former diplomat and part of the Irish Government back-room team who helped negotiate The Good Friday.