Menu
26/01/2005
Decision time in political process warns Blair
Time is running out for parties connected with paramilitary organisations to decide if they want to be part of the democratic process or not, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday Mr Blair said that there can no longer be a process of transition in Northern Ireland and the position where some political parties are allied to paramilitary groups had to stop.
“People must decide if they are either part of the democratic process or not,” the Prime Minister said. “The moment of decision has actually long since passed and it’s simply got to be clear whether people have made their decision or not.
“If it proves impossible to go forward on that inclusive basis we will have to look for another way forward.”
Mr Blair’s comments come after Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern again blamed the IRA for the Northern Bank raid.
Speaking following a meeting with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, Mr Ahern said he was standing by the Garda assessment that the IRA was responsible for last month's £26.5m bank robbery.
"The Garda authorities which naturally I would look to in the first instance, their assessment is that this robbery was carried out by the Provisional movement,” Mr Ahern said.
"It would not have taken place, an operation of the scale of this, without the agreement and sanction of the provisional leadership. That is advice I as Taoiseach have to take."
However, Mr Adams said the Taoiseach had failed to back up his claims with firm evidence.
“We asked the Taoiseach to stand up his accusations that the Sinn Fein leadership had prior knowledge of the Northern Bank robbery,” the West Belfast MP said. “He failed to do this either during our meeting or in subsequent media interviews.
“We also rejected any suggestion that Sinn Féin was involved in criminality or that we have any special obligation to tackle any issue. We are opposed to criminality of any kind,” he said.
Mr Blair is to hold talks with Mr Adams at Chequers on Thursday when he is expected to reiterate demands for the IRA to cease all paramilitary and criminal activity.
(MB/SP)
Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday Mr Blair said that there can no longer be a process of transition in Northern Ireland and the position where some political parties are allied to paramilitary groups had to stop.
“People must decide if they are either part of the democratic process or not,” the Prime Minister said. “The moment of decision has actually long since passed and it’s simply got to be clear whether people have made their decision or not.
“If it proves impossible to go forward on that inclusive basis we will have to look for another way forward.”
Mr Blair’s comments come after Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern again blamed the IRA for the Northern Bank raid.
Speaking following a meeting with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, Mr Ahern said he was standing by the Garda assessment that the IRA was responsible for last month's £26.5m bank robbery.
"The Garda authorities which naturally I would look to in the first instance, their assessment is that this robbery was carried out by the Provisional movement,” Mr Ahern said.
"It would not have taken place, an operation of the scale of this, without the agreement and sanction of the provisional leadership. That is advice I as Taoiseach have to take."
However, Mr Adams said the Taoiseach had failed to back up his claims with firm evidence.
“We asked the Taoiseach to stand up his accusations that the Sinn Fein leadership had prior knowledge of the Northern Bank robbery,” the West Belfast MP said. “He failed to do this either during our meeting or in subsequent media interviews.
“We also rejected any suggestion that Sinn Féin was involved in criminality or that we have any special obligation to tackle any issue. We are opposed to criminality of any kind,” he said.
Mr Blair is to hold talks with Mr Adams at Chequers on Thursday when he is expected to reiterate demands for the IRA to cease all paramilitary and criminal activity.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 February 2002
Blair and Ahern discuss Northern Ireland peace process
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has held talks with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in London to discuss political progress in Northern Ireland. The lunchtime discussion at Downing Street on Monday February 18 focussed on issues such as demilitarisation, decommissioning and the recent work of the Policing Board.
Blair and Ahern discuss Northern Ireland peace process
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair has held talks with Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in London to discuss political progress in Northern Ireland. The lunchtime discussion at Downing Street on Monday February 18 focussed on issues such as demilitarisation, decommissioning and the recent work of the Policing Board.
02 December 2005
Hillsborough gathering celebrates life of Mo Mowlam
A celebration of the life of former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Mo Mowlam took place at Hillsborough Castle on Thursday. Some 200 guests attended the event which was hosted by current Secretary of State Peter Hain and attended by Mo’s husband Jon Norton and family.
Hillsborough gathering celebrates life of Mo Mowlam
A celebration of the life of former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Mo Mowlam took place at Hillsborough Castle on Thursday. Some 200 guests attended the event which was hosted by current Secretary of State Peter Hain and attended by Mo’s husband Jon Norton and family.
28 April 2003
Blair calls for ‘straight answer’ over IRA's position
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that a “straight answer” is needed from the IRA in order to break the deadlock in the Northern Ireland peace process. At a press conference held in London on this morning, Mr Blair said that while progress had been achieved there was some way to go. Mr Blair said: "We don't yet have the basis that we need.
Blair calls for ‘straight answer’ over IRA's position
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that a “straight answer” is needed from the IRA in order to break the deadlock in the Northern Ireland peace process. At a press conference held in London on this morning, Mr Blair said that while progress had been achieved there was some way to go. Mr Blair said: "We don't yet have the basis that we need.
28 April 2003
Meetings continue in effort to patch up peace process
Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, is to meet with the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowan, in Belfast today in yet further efforts to patch up the Northern Ireland peace process. The British government in particular is under pressure to reveal whether or not elections scheduled for May 29 will go ahead.
Meetings continue in effort to patch up peace process
Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, is to meet with the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowan, in Belfast today in yet further efforts to patch up the Northern Ireland peace process. The British government in particular is under pressure to reveal whether or not elections scheduled for May 29 will go ahead.
19 September 2001
Blair and Ahern upbeat about peace process
The British and Irish prime ministers have both reaffirmed their commitment to the Northern Ireland peace process - and have reiterated that the process is the only mechanism that can break the current deadlock.
Blair and Ahern upbeat about peace process
The British and Irish prime ministers have both reaffirmed their commitment to the Northern Ireland peace process - and have reiterated that the process is the only mechanism that can break the current deadlock.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
