Menu
28/10/2002
Adams foresees a 'future without the IRA'
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party faithful that he envisages a "future without the IRA".
Mr Adams made his comments during a meeting in the Hillgrove Hotel, Co Monaghan, on Saturday. In a wide-ranging speech, the West Belfast MP said that finding "real and lasting and permanent" peace was a goal for all republicans.
"I want to see an end to all of the armed groups on this island. That has to be the aim of every thinking republican," he said.
"So if you ask me do I envisage a future without the IRA? The answer is obvious. The answer is 'Yes'."
However, Mr Adams said that the onus on Sinn Fein to influence the IRA was misleading, and it was incumbent on all stakeholders in the process to make paramilitary disbandment possible. He was also critical of the British government for its "tactical day-to-day management of the process, [which] has exacerbated the crisis within unionism and encouraged the rejectionists".
He then accused the British government of "stalling" the Stevens Report into the death of solicitor Pat Finucane in an effort to "dodge the truth of the RUC Special Branch and MI5's involvement".
The Sinn Fein president warned that the IRA would never disband in response to ultimatums from the British government or David Trimble.
The UUP leader, and former first minister, David Trimble, said that the statement was highly significant.
"The significant thing I think is that he never said never. We didn't get any echo of the sort of language that came from republicans on decommissioning in 1998-99. You could take from this that it is part of the business of conditioning members of the IRA to realise that they are going to go away."
The SDLP leader Mark Durkan welcomed Mr Adams's comments saying that republicans needed to "take heed" of nationalists throughout Ireland who "fervently" want an end to paramilitarism.
He added: “IRA activity is playing right into the hands of anti-Agreement unionists. And letting the nationalist community badly down.
“It is also welcome that Gerry Adams has begun to recognise Sinn Fein’s credibility crisis. Too often republican denials have proved to be false in the past – be it over Colombia or Florida.
“This too has served only to create distrust and destabilise the Good Friday Agreement."
Elsewhere, the House of Commons is set to debate whether to withdraw Sinn Fein's access to their Westminster offices in the wake of last month's NIO 'spy-ring' allegations involving members of the party.
The Conservative Party's Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Quentin Davies will open the debate this afternoon. The motion to withdraw facilities for Sinn Fein's MPs – Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Michelle Gildernew and Pat Doherty – is said to have the support of UUP and DUP members.
(GMcG)
Mr Adams made his comments during a meeting in the Hillgrove Hotel, Co Monaghan, on Saturday. In a wide-ranging speech, the West Belfast MP said that finding "real and lasting and permanent" peace was a goal for all republicans.
"I want to see an end to all of the armed groups on this island. That has to be the aim of every thinking republican," he said.
"So if you ask me do I envisage a future without the IRA? The answer is obvious. The answer is 'Yes'."
However, Mr Adams said that the onus on Sinn Fein to influence the IRA was misleading, and it was incumbent on all stakeholders in the process to make paramilitary disbandment possible. He was also critical of the British government for its "tactical day-to-day management of the process, [which] has exacerbated the crisis within unionism and encouraged the rejectionists".
He then accused the British government of "stalling" the Stevens Report into the death of solicitor Pat Finucane in an effort to "dodge the truth of the RUC Special Branch and MI5's involvement".
The Sinn Fein president warned that the IRA would never disband in response to ultimatums from the British government or David Trimble.
The UUP leader, and former first minister, David Trimble, said that the statement was highly significant.
"The significant thing I think is that he never said never. We didn't get any echo of the sort of language that came from republicans on decommissioning in 1998-99. You could take from this that it is part of the business of conditioning members of the IRA to realise that they are going to go away."
The SDLP leader Mark Durkan welcomed Mr Adams's comments saying that republicans needed to "take heed" of nationalists throughout Ireland who "fervently" want an end to paramilitarism.
He added: “IRA activity is playing right into the hands of anti-Agreement unionists. And letting the nationalist community badly down.
“It is also welcome that Gerry Adams has begun to recognise Sinn Fein’s credibility crisis. Too often republican denials have proved to be false in the past – be it over Colombia or Florida.
“This too has served only to create distrust and destabilise the Good Friday Agreement."
Elsewhere, the House of Commons is set to debate whether to withdraw Sinn Fein's access to their Westminster offices in the wake of last month's NIO 'spy-ring' allegations involving members of the party.
The Conservative Party's Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Quentin Davies will open the debate this afternoon. The motion to withdraw facilities for Sinn Fein's MPs – Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Michelle Gildernew and Pat Doherty – is said to have the support of UUP and DUP members.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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.
13 November 2006
Sinn Fein members threatened over agreement
Senior members of Sinn Fein have had to step up personal security for fear of attack from dissident republicans who are opposed to the proposed changes to the party's policing issues. The party has already been warned that an attack is possible as a bid to derail the current political process of restoring devolution.
Sinn Fein members threatened over agreement
Senior members of Sinn Fein have had to step up personal security for fear of attack from dissident republicans who are opposed to the proposed changes to the party's policing issues. The party has already been warned that an attack is possible as a bid to derail the current political process of restoring devolution.
10 February 2005
SF members sanctioned robbery – IMC report
The International Monitoring Commission (IMC) has said the IRA was behind last December’s Northern Bank robbery and that senior members of Sinn Fein had sanctioned the raid. In it’s fourth report, specially published as a result of the £26.
SF members sanctioned robbery – IMC report
The International Monitoring Commission (IMC) has said the IRA was behind last December’s Northern Bank robbery and that senior members of Sinn Fein had sanctioned the raid. In it’s fourth report, specially published as a result of the £26.
19 December 2001
House of Commons votes to allow Sinn Féin offices
The House of Commons has voted to allow the four Sinn Fein members office space and access to allowances enjoyed by other MPs. Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith condemned the decision saying that it would create a two-tier system of MPs.
House of Commons votes to allow Sinn Féin offices
The House of Commons has voted to allow the four Sinn Fein members office space and access to allowances enjoyed by other MPs. Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith condemned the decision saying that it would create a two-tier system of MPs.
-
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.
