Republicans ‘cannot be blamed for deadlock’

SINN FÉIN will not accept Republicans being held responsible for any deadlock in the peace process, the party’s leader in the Dáil, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, said yesterday.

The IRA has taken courageous decisions that have too often been taken for granted, Deputy Ó Caoláin said.

Sinn Féin chief negotiator Martin McGuinness called on the Governments to publish their joint proposals to kick-start the Good Friday Agreement and restore devolution. The IRA statement presented to the Irish and British Governments is clear and unambiguous, Mr McGuinness said.

According to Deputy Ó Caoláin, republicans always said that, if a path of struggle not involving paramilitary action became available, they would take it and they had been true to their word: “The IRA demonstrated initiative and innovation and, ever since their first cessation in 1994, they have taken courageous decisions that have caused real and soul-searching difficulties for many Republicans.”

Speaking at the Easter 1916 Commemoration in Dublin, DeputyÓ Caoláin said these efforts were often taken for granted by those who were hostile to the peace process: “So to those who would point the finger at the IRA for the current difficulties in the peace process, I say: ‘Get your own house in order’.”

Opponents blaming Republicans for the current stalemate in the peace process was unacceptable, Deputy Ó Caoláin said: “We will not accept such a situation and we will continue to assert the rights of those who vote for Sinn Féin throughout the 32 Counties, and the rights of everyone who voted for the Good Friday Agreement, rights that are not subject to preconditions by governments, political parties or armed groups. The days of demonisation and discrimination on either side of the Border are over.”

Speaking at an Easter rising commemoration near Dungannon in Co Tyrone, Mr McGuinness said the British Government had known for a long time its predecessor had sanctioned the killings of nationalists in the North.

The IRA statement marked an unprecedented development which must be built on, he said: “Even the British Government has acknowledged that it shows the desire of the IRA to make the peace process work.”

The IRA remained committed to the peace process and have played a central role in the creation of the opportunity to achieve lasting peace with justice: “They have shown courage, resilience and generosity in their actions in support of the peace process.”

The creation of a united Ireland was inevitable and his party would accept nothing less than the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, Mr McGuinness said.

“Implemented in full, the Agreement can set us on the road to a new agreed united Ireland of equals. And it can be done in a manner that should be non-threatening to any section of the population,” he said. “There will be a united Ireland and the message from today’s commemoration should be ‘prepare for re-unification’.

“I believe that many unionists also recognise the change that is taking place,” said Mr McGuinness. “Their fears must be addressed in a comprehensive manner, which will secure assurances and guarantees to satisfy misgivings.”