They choose the words but we are the losers in their zero-sum game

SOMETIME soon we’re going to witness one of the great ironies of the politics of the modern era.

A statement from the IRA will mark a defining moment in Ireland's peace process. We don't yet know the exact content, but I expect it to be made clear that paramilitary activity is over. With the end of paramilitary activity comes the beginning of a civil society governed solely by the rule of law.

Why will this be ironic, as well as being historic? In two ways, really. First of all, how extraordinary is it that in one small corner of the world politicians are working around the clock to manufacture a breakthrough in a process that is completely stalled? In the interests of peace they have isolated a range of issues, of which the issue of paramilitary activity is the most important, and are working their way through them to find ways of satisfying each other.