Focus remains on ending IRA criminality - Kenny
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny today vowed to keep the Government focused on ending IRA criminality.
Mr Kenny said his party had long been committed to fighting organised crime and dismissed claims Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats had stolen a march on the issue.
The opposition leader welcomed strong moves made by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to publicise IRA violence, but promised to ensure the coalition partnership constantly pursued the threat of criminality and terrorism.
“I hope we can keep him (Mr Ahern) on this, on a tight leash if you like,” Mr Kenny said.
“They have not stolen Fine Gael’s clothes, Fine Gael have been absolutely consistent on this for a very long time indeed.
“We have made the position for many years that we want to end criminality, not just down here but right around the island of Ireland by all persons and by all parties.
“I welcome the new found authority of both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice and I hope that we can keep them on that pitch very clearly.”
The Taoiseach launched a powerful attack on Sinn Féin in the Dáil earlier this week. During fierce exchanges Mr Ahern rhymed off a series of punishment attacks and shootings in Northern Ireland over the last few weeks.
He claimed republicans had the power to turn the level of violence up or down to suit their political aims – Sinn Féin flatly denied the allegations.
Mr Kenny also told RTE Radio that the Sinn Féin leadership had to address the issues of policing and IRA weaponry to rescue the peace process.
The opposition leader said that unilateral decommissioning would be a gesture of good will and show the IRA’s commitment to furthering politics in the north.
“If they are serious about following the path of democratic politics they could now decommission unilaterally, call in General de Chastelain and any other reporter or person to verify that and have that out of the way,” he said.
“They have made the decision to decommission and they could follow that through as a gesture of credibility and demonstrate that they are serious about concluding the Good Friday Agreement and move on it.”
