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IRA ruling Army Council may be disbanded in attempt to break deadlock
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
enlargeMartin McGuinness is to enter into talks with Peter Robinson, the Northern Ireland First Minister, about disbanding the IRA's ruling army council, in an attempt to break the province's political deadlock.
The continued existence of the council is at the centre of mounting political disagreement holding up the transfer of policing powers from Westminster to Northern Ireland.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), led by Mr Robinson, insists that it will not approve the devolution of policing and security powers to Belfast while the army council remains in being. Sinn Fein, which is a member of the coalition headed by the DUP, wants security devolution first.
Following publication of an official report on the IRA army council today, the two parties are to engage in a series of meetings aimed at bridging the gap between them on this and other issues.
There is widespread agreement that the IRA as an organisation has ceased to function and poses no security threat, but disbandment remains a key political sticking point.
The Independent Monitoring Commission is expected to report today that the council no longer functions as a military leadership and is a non-threatening remnant of an organisation which has in effect melted away. The security forces on both sides of the border share this assessment, and have been relaxed about the council's continuing existence.
But the question is much more significant politically than militarily, since it is a key element in a political mosaic involving Sinn Fein and the DUP, led by the Rev Ian Paisley until June but which is now led by Mr Robinson.
Mr Robinson, who yesterday met Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, to discuss the IRA, said afterwards: "I think he recognises that some parts of the structure are still there. But they are not being used, according to the Chief Constable, for any paramilitary or terrorist purpose.
"We still take the position that the structures must be removed completely. There is no purpose of having a structure if you do not intend to operate in a paramilitary fashion."
Sinn Fein's position is that there should first be a speedy transfer of policing and justice powers to the Belfast assembly, which already controls areas such as trade, agriculture and education. The DUP argues that this should await confirmation that the entire IRA, including the army council, has gone completely. The loyalists and republicans also disagree on lesser issues such as the position of the Irish language, education reform, and the redevelopment of the former Maze prison.
The DUP and Sinn Fein recently agreed that neither of them should take the justice and policing portfolio when it is eventually transferred to Belfast.
However, other than that, little appreciable progress on any of the issues was made during a summer when hardly any political activity was evident. The expectation now is that the pace will quicken this month, with efforts made to sort out the various difficulties.
There is speculation that Mr Robinson, as a new and untried leader, is concerned to guard against criticisms from a small but vociferous section of loyalists opposed to the political settlement. Its most prominent spokesman, Jim Allister, a European MP and ex-DUP member, has made the removal of the council a foremost demand.
Republicans, for their part, are not adamantly opposed to its departure. The speculation is that they may be retaining it, for the moment, for use as a bargaining chip in the negotiations ahead.
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I applaud this outcome. What disturbs me is sinister comments (Matthew) suggesting that notwithstanding any future democratic decision to change the constitutional status of Northern Ireland (which is doing just fine as is don't get me wrong) there are still people out there with guns (Unionist paramiltaries and their "hard men") who are determined to impose their will on everybody else come what may. Such views should be roundly condemned and not tacitly tolerated which really does seem to be the case in some quarters (including politicians) that don't recognise the blinkered hypocrisy of their position. I hope the world begins to now hear of initiatives for those organisations to be disbanded and disarmed.
Posted by Niall in Sydney | 05.09.08, 03:00 GMT
Well after Fridays headlines "Dutch police arrest four after
discovery of arms bound for Ireland" I wouldn't be so sure. Take a quick second look at that report again.
Posted by Colin | 05.09.08, 01:29 GMT
Face it Paddy. The leaders of your 'struggle' whipped you up into a frenzy, got rich then retired to enjoy those riches. That was the sort of 'free' they had in mind
Posted by Steve | 04.09.08, 13:26 GMT
To paddy you say 'there will be no peace in ireland til its free' if thats what you think then ill have to inform you that there will be no peace on this island has there will never be a united ireland. The border and the Queen will always remain. Never, Never, never to home rule in Ireland
Posted by Matthew | 04.09.08, 11:57 GMT
First of all I never called for a return to the past…what I have simply pointed out is that all the sacrifices from the Nationalist/Republican people in these 6 counties would now seem to have been for nothing….when the political situation is properly analysed from this perspective not only has SF been an abysmal failure but all Nationalist / Republican representatives who now sit in Stormont have failed miserably including the SDLP (but then again, they failed 30 years ago!!!!). Sometimes the truth can be painful but when failure is the result then action must be taken. This current SF leadership is an abysmal failure and needs replaced with republicans with at the very least a backbone!
Posted by Nigel 69 | 04.09.08, 08:57 GMT
quite a brave step forward into the peace process
for what concerns those so called republicans who oppose the disband of the provos and move critics over sinn fein and the likes of adams and mcguinnes i want to remind them that the vast majority of the people "of the north" want peace nothing but peace, the vast majority of the republicans are so sick of violence, now the armed struggle campain has finally ended and a political path has been succesfully launched, now and only now they can really hope a united ireland!
tiocfaidh ar la
Posted by francesco | 04.09.08, 08:45 GMT
im a repulican and i think sf made a really bad move. supporting the ruc gets u nowhere there will be no peace in ireland til its free
Posted by Paddy | 03.09.08, 20:18 GMT
To Nigel 69 and Sean O Lubaigh, when I read comments like yours I always remember why I left Ireland in the first place. How do you think you will ever inspire 'unity' in an island when all you can do is spout such pointless cliches.
Are you both really that naive to think that a 32 county Ireland (although remember counties were invented and imposed by the evil English so perhaps you shouldn't use that term either) would solve all the problems in the Island.
Ireland would be a better place if you went down the pub, had a pint or 2, watched the footie and relaxed a bit.
Posted by steve | 03.09.08, 19:25 GMT
In the words of Vera Lynn
We'll meet again dont know where dont know when but I know well meet again.
Do Unionists really want the IRA to return ?
Seems like the DUP want to return to the bad old days Peter get a grip man
No bombs no bullets no meeting of the Army council what more do you want?
Why cant we police ourselves?
Stop playing the loyalist card and think of the future !
Posted by Kevin | 03.09.08, 19:20 GMT
God blessing Sinn Fein
Posted by Cor | 03.09.08, 18:43 GMT
whether you think ireland can rest or not is up to you i will let you know that the border and the queen is not going anywhere in this island and that Northern Ireland will always remain a 6county country and part of th uk
Posted by Matthew | 03.09.08, 15:23 GMT
I watched Shaun Woodward on TV discussing the latest IMC Report and marvelled at how far along the road from war the people from N.Ireland have travelled in recent years. True politicians discuss and assess given situations and generally arrive at a conclusion that ticks numerous boxes for each side, but never all boxes. The province is at that point now and desperately needs to assess, agree(where possible) and maintain the momentum for lasting peace.There will always be Diehards on each side who crave all for their sides but they must be ignored for the common good.
All people must be catered for otherwise we return to the same old same.
Good luck in the coming weeks.
Posted by Henry C | 03.09.08, 15:03 GMT
Can't believe how many broken records there are in this country......same old rubbish again and again!! Get the message, Sean, Nigel69, nobody wants you!
Posted by Dathi | 03.09.08, 13:24 GMT
Steve....that's exactly the crux of the problem....a party that doesn't always deliver may be acceptable to some but a party that fails to deliver on anything at all...well that is just downright unacceptable..what have they actually achieved...can you tell me that...all those lives were a waste..to surrender all and to gain nothing...that is the pitiful legacy of this leadership....
Posted by Nigel 69 | 03.09.08, 13:05 GMT
Judging by Ruane's performance on the education system, I would very much doubt that Sinn Fein are ready or able to manage policing and justice in this country. The decision by the DUP and Sinn Fein that neither of them is to have control of these powers is one of the few signs of good sense from either party.
As for the Irish language, just WHAT is the problem with that? There is no law prohibiting the speaking of Irish in Northern Ireland. It would be hugely expensive (to BOTH Nationalists and Unionists) to have all our offficial papers and street signs translated.
Finally, on our education system; as I said in yesterday's Remarks, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!
Posted by Centaur | 03.09.08, 13:00 GMT
Good news. We cannot have a private "army" sitting in a democratic government. This is good for everyone, and is a healthy sign. Just why would you oppose this??? Time to move on. And Sean what did you expect from the Belfast Agreement? Irish "unity"?
Posted by Gary | 03.09.08, 12:40 GMT
What use is the provo army council when they have already suurunered their armys weapons for freedom to the Brits, and now uphold and administer for the Brits continued rule over the north? Real Republicans look on this as a joke and just table dressing . While England maintains rule Ireland can never rest.
Posted by Sean O Lubaigh | 03.09.08, 11:26 GMT
nigel69.. any right thinking republican would accept that we have to move on!! yes sinn fein have conceded ground and yes they havent always delivered what they promised,but what party does? im sure u wouldnt like to go back to the days of the bullet and bomb!! we should get behind sinn fein and show a united front, its the way forward!
Posted by steve.. | 03.09.08, 11:23 GMT
Two concrete conclusions can be drawn about the current SF leadership headed by Adams and McGuinness:
1 They are pathetically inadequate as politicians and thus complete abysmal failure. Who else signs up to an Agreement and achieves absolutely nothing of it!!!!!!
2 Or, they are British Agents and are quite clearly pushing a British lead agenda. Who else would sign up to an Agreement that quite clearly gives Unionism a complete veto over everything and has brought us back to pre-1969…..certainly not a right thinking Republican!!!!
It’s time for a change of leadership…right across the board.
Posted by Nigel 69 | 03.09.08, 09:13 GMT