Ahern champions ‘true republicanism’ at Rising ceremony

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday rejected the Provisional movement’s claim that it alone continues the tradition of Irish republicanism.

Delivering his address at Fianna Fáil’s annual commemoration of the 1916 Rising in Arbour Hill, Mr Ahern strongly contended that “democracy has always been the fundamental goal of true republicanism.”

He said the Easter Rising had only taken place after the democratic wishes of the Irish people for self-government had been frustrated for over 30 years.

In claiming that the Rising had popular backing, Mr Ahern argued that the position had then unalterably changed in 1923 with the creation of an internationally recognised State of Ireland.

Republicans then had a choice: to embrace democracy or continue on the path of violence.

In questioning the democratic basis of the IRA post-1923, Mr Ahern said: “A small minority chose the other path of a closed anti-democratic militaristic elitism, unaccountable to the people and dangerous to this State and its freedom.”

Mr Ahern went on to make several other pointed criticisms of Sinn Féin and the Provisional IRA’s brand of republicanism.

“A healthy republicanism never relied on the proceeds of crime or physical attacks and intimidation of those who dare to speak or behave differently. It does not assume the right to take the law into its own hands,” he said.

Turning to the present impasse in the peace process, Mr Ahern said the Good Friday Agreement will only succeed if there is a complete abandonment of violence and law-breaking by all organisations.

Mr Ahern said the questions he had posed to the Sinn Féin leadership on decommissioning, violence, and paramilitary activities had not yet been answered.

In response to recent assertions by the DUP and UUP that they will no longer entertain a devolved government involving Sinn Féin, he reiterated the Government’s position that unionists “must live up to its commitments to participate in government with all democratic parties”.

Mr Ahern later said he did not expect the IRA to respond to Mr Adams’s call on it to disband until late in the summer.

He repeated his view that it would take some time for the IRA to conclude its internal debate.