Republicans 'uneasy' over Irish government role

Sinn Fein representative Gerry Kelly has claimed there is a growing sense of unease among republicans at the Irish government's attitude towards efforts at rebuilding the political process.

Mr Kelly said that statements made by Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, over the past few days were disappointing given that Tuesday’s impasse had derailed months of hard work.

"Apart from protracted and immensely valuable dialogue between the Sinn Fein leadership and the UUP leadership, the Irish government is aware of the efforts made by us, particularly over the summer, when there were huge efforts, largely successful, to bring calm to interface areas," he said.

"This wasn’t done without people stretching themselves because there was a lot of provocation with continuing sectarian attacks. Yet the broad focus remained on the IRA, as it does at the minute, while activities of other armed groups are largely ignored."

Yesterday, Mr Ahern said he knew that a lack of detail over IRA decommissioning would prove problematic for the political process but that a demand for clarity was always going to prove a difficulty.

Responding, Mr Kelly said: "The widespread view, and I share this, is that unless David Trimble has control of every jot and tittle, then government schemes, rules and regulations will be set to one side.

"Although I disagree with it, it is understandable why a British government seeks to placate unionist demands and to build unionist confidence when no one else is doing it, but who defends the nationalist position?

"If the government doesn’t defend the Agreement and the rights of everyone under that Agreement it’s little wonder that there is growing anxiety over the perception of how the Irish government is behaving," he added.

(MB)