Menu
13/03/2002
UUP peer challenges Blair over terrorist amnesties
The leader of the Ulster Unionist peers in the House of Lords, Lord Rogan, has tabled a written parliamentary question about an amnesty for republican paramilitaries.
Lord Rogan asked what representations had been made by the British Prime Minister Tony Blair to Sinn Féin at last summer’s Weston Park talks about allowing individuals exiled from Northern Ireland by republican paramilitaries to return home.
Speaking from Westminster, Lord Rogan said: “It has become clear that the Prime Minister was negotiating with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness at Weston Park about granting an amnesty for republican terrorists on-the-run. However, negotiations are about give and take. That begs the questions, what were Sinn Fein/IRA prepared to offer in return?"
Lord Rogan added: "The idea of granting an amnesty to on-the-run terrorists is causing grave disquiet across all parties at Westminster. However, equal unease has begun to develop over the government’s failure to address the fate of the many individuals exiled from the province by paramilitaries. Did Mr Blair raise the question of their fate at Weston Park? By tabling my question in Parliament, I hope very soon to find out.”
Earlier, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told Westminster MPs that the issue of terrorists on the run "must be dealt with", and said that the matter remained under consideration.
However, Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy has said he was "unsurprised" at the level of opposition the Prime Minister is experiencing at Westminster over plans for an amnesty for ‘on-the-run’ terrorists.
Mr McCarthy said: "The Prime Minister does not seem to realise the depth of feeling over this highly controversial issue. It seems as though he was willing to trample over the feelings of the many victims of the terrorists he was preparing to allow back into the UK.
"Many people find it difficult to understand why Mr Blair was so willing to press ahead with his plans regardless of what other parties from across the political spectrum were telling him. It is particularly galling that while terrorist fugitives were packing their bags to return home, their paramilitary colleagues have continued to exile people from Northern Ireland every day."
He continued: "There is a need to bring some basic fairness and openness back to the political process, otherwise the Government risks alienating the very people who have made it work."
Mr McCarthy called for no more "side deals" to be carried out behind closed doors, and appealed to the Prime Minister "to reconsider the damage he was doing".
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said that he thought the Conservative Party was exploiting the issue of an amnesty for political reasons.
(SP)
Lord Rogan asked what representations had been made by the British Prime Minister Tony Blair to Sinn Féin at last summer’s Weston Park talks about allowing individuals exiled from Northern Ireland by republican paramilitaries to return home.
Speaking from Westminster, Lord Rogan said: “It has become clear that the Prime Minister was negotiating with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness at Weston Park about granting an amnesty for republican terrorists on-the-run. However, negotiations are about give and take. That begs the questions, what were Sinn Fein/IRA prepared to offer in return?"
Lord Rogan added: "The idea of granting an amnesty to on-the-run terrorists is causing grave disquiet across all parties at Westminster. However, equal unease has begun to develop over the government’s failure to address the fate of the many individuals exiled from the province by paramilitaries. Did Mr Blair raise the question of their fate at Weston Park? By tabling my question in Parliament, I hope very soon to find out.”
Earlier, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told Westminster MPs that the issue of terrorists on the run "must be dealt with", and said that the matter remained under consideration.
However, Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy has said he was "unsurprised" at the level of opposition the Prime Minister is experiencing at Westminster over plans for an amnesty for ‘on-the-run’ terrorists.
Mr McCarthy said: "The Prime Minister does not seem to realise the depth of feeling over this highly controversial issue. It seems as though he was willing to trample over the feelings of the many victims of the terrorists he was preparing to allow back into the UK.
"Many people find it difficult to understand why Mr Blair was so willing to press ahead with his plans regardless of what other parties from across the political spectrum were telling him. It is particularly galling that while terrorist fugitives were packing their bags to return home, their paramilitary colleagues have continued to exile people from Northern Ireland every day."
He continued: "There is a need to bring some basic fairness and openness back to the political process, otherwise the Government risks alienating the very people who have made it work."
Mr McCarthy called for no more "side deals" to be carried out behind closed doors, and appealed to the Prime Minister "to reconsider the damage he was doing".
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said that he thought the Conservative Party was exploiting the issue of an amnesty for political reasons.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 July 2016
PM Meets With Foster And McGuinness During Visit to NI
Prime Minister (PM) Theresa May has met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister during her visit to Northern Ireland. Mrs May said her meeting with Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness was in relation to the impact of the Brexit vote.
PM Meets With Foster And McGuinness During Visit to NI
Prime Minister (PM) Theresa May has met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister during her visit to Northern Ireland. Mrs May said her meeting with Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness was in relation to the impact of the Brexit vote.
09 October 2002
Sinn Fein seeks Dail motion objecting to assembly suspension
As the power-sharing assembly nears closer to direct rule, Sinn Fein has tabled a motion in the Irish parliament, the Dail, calling for all-party opposition to any move by the British government to suspend the Stormont assembly.
Sinn Fein seeks Dail motion objecting to assembly suspension
As the power-sharing assembly nears closer to direct rule, Sinn Fein has tabled a motion in the Irish parliament, the Dail, calling for all-party opposition to any move by the British government to suspend the Stormont assembly.
14 October 2024
Ministers Attend First Council Of Nations And Regions Meeting
Northern Ireland's First and deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, have attended the first meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in Edinburgh.
Ministers Attend First Council Of Nations And Regions Meeting
Northern Ireland's First and deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, have attended the first meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions in Edinburgh.
20 June 2013
Conference Announced To Promote Jobs In NI
First Minister the Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA have announced a major Investment Conference on 10 and 11 October 2013 to promote jobs and growth in Northern Ireland.
Conference Announced To Promote Jobs In NI
First Minister the Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA have announced a major Investment Conference on 10 and 11 October 2013 to promote jobs and growth in Northern Ireland.
08 July 2024
Ministers Meet With New Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Northern Ireland's First and deputy First Ministers have congratulated new Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his win the UK General. The Minister's spoke with the Mr Starmer after he was officially sworn in as Prime Minister. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "Today we had the opportunity to speak to the new Prime Minister.
Ministers Meet With New Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Northern Ireland's First and deputy First Ministers have congratulated new Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his win the UK General. The Minister's spoke with the Mr Starmer after he was officially sworn in as Prime Minister. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "Today we had the opportunity to speak to the new Prime Minister.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
