O'Donoghue renews pledge to reject SF

A row intensified today between Sinn Fein and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern over the Government’s pledge to not share power after the next general election because of the party’s IRA links.

The message spelled out by the Taoiseach at the weekend was today repeated by Justice Minister John O’Donoghue, one of the most senior figures in the Government.

He said Sinn Fein had links with ‘‘an illegal army’’ and stressed: ‘‘It is entirely inconceivable that one would have a party in government that has access to serious matters dealing with security and defence while they were associated with a private army.

‘‘There can only be one army and police in any sovereign democracy.’’

Mr O’Donoghue’s comments were rejected by senior Sinn Fein figure Martin Ferris, one of the party’s candidates thought most likely to win a seat in the Dáil at the election expected in May.

He said ‘‘Bertie Ahern and his Government are quite comfortable in accepting Sinn Fein sitting in government in the six counties (Northern Ireland).

‘‘They also accept Sinn Fein on cross-border bodies and on county councils and various other bodies throughout the country - they are quite comfortable sharing power with Sinn Fein.’’

Mr Ferris, who was once convicted of gun-running for the IRA as well as membership of that organisation, said: ‘‘Sinn Fein is working around the clock to try and bring about a lasting peace in this country and to ensure that there is only the one army in this country.

‘‘I am a democratic political representative and I work for the good of the people.

‘‘We do not have a private army, and the minister is well aware of that.’’

Mr O’Donoghue said there could not be a valid comparison between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

‘‘The north has just emerged from a very dark period. And even though there is a devolved administration there, they are mainly responsible for aspects of economic and social policy.

‘‘To participate in a sovereign Irish Government, it would be necessary for Sinn Fein members to be responsible for matters of justice and matters of security, defence and foreign affairs.

‘‘The truth is that Sinn Fein at the present time does have an illegal, private army associated with it.

‘‘We all look forward to the day when that army is dismantled and disowned by Sinn Fein, but that has not happened yet.

Speculation over Sinn Fein’s role in a future government has increased as parties have begun gearing up for an election likely to produce a result leaving one of the smaller parliamentary groups with balance-of-power position.

Fianna Fail currently share power with the Progressive Democrats, shored up by the support of a block of independent members of the Dáil.

Recent opinion polls have indicated that Sinn Fein - currently with only one member of the Dáil - will increase their representation to around three or four at their first election on the southern side of the border since entering.