Government lambasted by Adams

THE problems in the peace process cannot be reduced simply to the existence of the IRA, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said yesterday.

During a commemoration ceremony in Derry of the 1916 Easter Rising, Mr Adams launched a scathing attack on the Irish Government, claiming it had put political self-interest before the peace process.

But he also signalled republicans would face hard choices as they pursued peace and a united Ireland. The West Belfast MP said: "the process is in serious difficulty. Much of this is being driven by an Irish Government, fearful of the growth of Sinn Féin and our determination to challenge the mess the establishment parties in Dublin are making of the economy, of health, of education and of the peace process.