Northern Crisis: ‘Past time’ to end threat

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has warned it is “no longer credible” for republican figures to claim the Provisional IRA does not exist, saying it is “long past time” the paramilitary group ceased to “carry any degree of threat” to communities.

Speaking during the latest Dáil leaders debate after two detailed reports into the ongoing activities of illegal organisations north and south of the border, the Fine Gael leader said the findings were of “very serious concern” and must be tackled.

Responding to revelations that the Provisional IRA still exists, albeit in what an independent report found was in a “much reduced form”, Mr Kenny said a decade on from decommissioning it was “long past time” the threat to the public ended.

He said that the illegal organisation’s “legacy” is “poisoned communities” and that Government “takes very seriously” the implications the ongoing criminal and violent actions of the group are having on society.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny

The Taoiseach was speaking after Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin accused him and other Cabinet members of “taking your eye off the ball” and failing to “comprehensively end” a paramilitary group which “still represents a threat”.

The opposition leader — who has been a vocal critic of alleged ongoing links between Sinn Féin and the provisional IRA describing the party as recently as Sunday as a “Mafia-like organisation” — said that since the 1998 Belfast Agreement “members of all paramilitary groups have carried out murders”.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin

He said it is clear they are also still involved in fuel “smuggling, fuel laundering and drug dealing” and noted the independent analysis’ conclusion that the paramilitary group “has retained the capacity to obtain weapons” a decade on from decommissioning.

Calling for the Independent Monitoring Commission to be “reinstated” and the creation of a cross-border group to address “fuel laundering and smuggling” in light of yesterday’s now confirmed revelations, Mr Martin said doing nothing is not acceptable as “the provisional IRA army council still exists”.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams responded by labelling Mr Martin a “hurler on the ditch”, arguing society in the North “has been on a journey from conflict to peace” and that politicians failing to “engage positively” is the real issue.