Hain: IRA must show real commitment to peace

A commitment by the IRA to deliver a permanent end to paramilitary and criminal activity must be demonstrated over a period of time to convince others in the peace process, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said today.

Mr Hain told trade unionists in Belfast he was optimistic that devolution in the North could be restored.

But with all sides waiting for a ground breaking IRA statement on its future within the next few weeks, he reminded the Provisionals that words would not be enough to convince others.

“Intensive negotiations and discussions last autumn brought us to the brink of success just before Christmas,” Mr Hain told the Irish Congress of Trade Unions conference in Belfast.

“But the trust that is essential for sustaining the political institutions evaporated.

“It was clear that the transition that would see a permanent end to paramilitary and criminal activity had not yet been made.

“For that trust to be restored there must be a clear, definitive and permanent end to paramilitary activity and its associated criminality.

“Words are not enough, but they are an important start and I hope people would not underestimate the significance of a credible statement from the IRA following their consultation exercise.

“A commitment in words needs to be capable of being verified over a period of time so that everyone can see that the commitment is real and lasting.”