Coalition opportunism

THE reaction of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to the IRA’s announcement that it is to cease all paramilitary activity was typically opportunistic, as he said that Sinn Féin must now be treated the same as all other parties with regard to forming governments.

This really is quite convenient for a party looking for new coalition partners after the next election, what with the current arrangement looking ever more fragile, and Labour agreeing to deal with Fine Gael.

Denis Hurley