Menu
23/04/2003
IRA must clarify its intentions says Blair
The IRA must clarify its future intentions and rule out any ambiguity about its role in the Northern Ireland peace process, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today.
Sinn Fein has insisted the existing IRA offer goes further than ever before but Mr Blair said key questions needed to be answered.
“The truth is, so far as we are concerned, and the Irish government is concerned, and the US government, they are not clear and unambiguous, they are uncertain,” Mr Blair said today at a news conference in Downing Street.
Mr Blair also said that the parties to the Northern Ireland political process were "frustratingly close" to an agreement but had yet to finalise a deal because there is uncertainty over the commitments given by the IRA.
Two weeks ago, the Irish and British governments were due to publish a document outlining their views of what was needed to fully implement the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. However, the two governments shelved the document after deciding that the commitments given by the IRA in a recent statement were not strong enough to restore unionist confidence in the power-sharing executive, which collapsed last October amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at the heart of the Stormont government.
Referring to what he called "fundamental questions", Tony Blair said today more clarity was needed on three issues.
These consist of whether the IRA will cease all activities inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement; the decommissioning of "all arms"; and whether the full implementation of the agreement will mean "final closure" to the Northern Ireland conflict.
Responding to Mr Blair’s statement Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said he endorsed the questions Mr Blair had put to the IRA and that it was now "crunch time" for the republican movement.
Mr Trimble said that the UUP would not go back into government unless the IRA gave positive answers to the prime minister's questions - which "could not be dodged forever".
The SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, said that the governments were "right to seek clarity from the IRA".
He added: "The Irish people want to have the clarity that the governments are seeking and they want to have the certainty of the agreement's implementation that the joint declaration can offer. While collective ambiguity has been part of the currency of this process up to now, the public want collective certainty in circulation from here on."
On Tuesday, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said a political deal was still possible to break the deadlock.
He said there was no lack of clarity in the IRA statement on its future intentions given to the British and Irish governments.
Mr Adams said a breakthrough was achievable if the two governments released their proposals.
(AMcE)
Sinn Fein has insisted the existing IRA offer goes further than ever before but Mr Blair said key questions needed to be answered.
“The truth is, so far as we are concerned, and the Irish government is concerned, and the US government, they are not clear and unambiguous, they are uncertain,” Mr Blair said today at a news conference in Downing Street.
Mr Blair also said that the parties to the Northern Ireland political process were "frustratingly close" to an agreement but had yet to finalise a deal because there is uncertainty over the commitments given by the IRA.
Two weeks ago, the Irish and British governments were due to publish a document outlining their views of what was needed to fully implement the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. However, the two governments shelved the document after deciding that the commitments given by the IRA in a recent statement were not strong enough to restore unionist confidence in the power-sharing executive, which collapsed last October amid allegations of IRA intelligence gathering at the heart of the Stormont government.
Referring to what he called "fundamental questions", Tony Blair said today more clarity was needed on three issues.
These consist of whether the IRA will cease all activities inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement; the decommissioning of "all arms"; and whether the full implementation of the agreement will mean "final closure" to the Northern Ireland conflict.
Responding to Mr Blair’s statement Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said he endorsed the questions Mr Blair had put to the IRA and that it was now "crunch time" for the republican movement.
Mr Trimble said that the UUP would not go back into government unless the IRA gave positive answers to the prime minister's questions - which "could not be dodged forever".
The SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, said that the governments were "right to seek clarity from the IRA".
He added: "The Irish people want to have the clarity that the governments are seeking and they want to have the certainty of the agreement's implementation that the joint declaration can offer. While collective ambiguity has been part of the currency of this process up to now, the public want collective certainty in circulation from here on."
On Tuesday, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said a political deal was still possible to break the deadlock.
He said there was no lack of clarity in the IRA statement on its future intentions given to the British and Irish governments.
Mr Adams said a breakthrough was achievable if the two governments released their proposals.
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Minister Murphy Raises Economic Concerns in London
Economy Minister Conor Murphy today raised a number of key economic issues with British Government Ministers during a visit to London.
Minister Murphy Raises Economic Concerns in London
Economy Minister Conor Murphy today raised a number of key economic issues with British Government Ministers during a visit to London.
25 November 2024
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
04 August 2005
Security normalisation 'fully justified' says PM
Steps taken by the Government to scale back the military presence in Northern Ireland are 'fully justified' in security terms, the Prime Minister has said. Mr Blair was speaking following talks with Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and the Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley on Thursday.
Security normalisation 'fully justified' says PM
Steps taken by the Government to scale back the military presence in Northern Ireland are 'fully justified' in security terms, the Prime Minister has said. Mr Blair was speaking following talks with Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and the Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley on Thursday.
18 October 2002
Blair tells IRA it must stand down for agreement to work
Prime Minister Tony Blair has sounded a warning to republicans that the IRA must disband before the peace process can continue. In a speech to business leaders at the Belfast Harbour Commission yesterday, a tough-talking Mr Blair ditched his diplomatic rhetoric, and offered what he called his "frank view".
Blair tells IRA it must stand down for agreement to work
Prime Minister Tony Blair has sounded a warning to republicans that the IRA must disband before the peace process can continue. In a speech to business leaders at the Belfast Harbour Commission yesterday, a tough-talking Mr Blair ditched his diplomatic rhetoric, and offered what he called his "frank view".
03 November 2009
Dissident Detained Leaving English Jail
An alleged police informer jailed for handling republican terrorist explosives has been arrested while leaving an English prison. Dissident Paddy Murray is being detained by PSNI detectives, with the support of English forces. The 47-year-old former IRA prisoner was handed a 25-year sentence in 1994 for possession of explosives.
Dissident Detained Leaving English Jail
An alleged police informer jailed for handling republican terrorist explosives has been arrested while leaving an English prison. Dissident Paddy Murray is being detained by PSNI detectives, with the support of English forces. The 47-year-old former IRA prisoner was handed a 25-year sentence in 1994 for possession of explosives.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
