Taoiseach expects IRA statement 'before August'

28/06/2005 - 19:29:19
An eagerly-awaited IRA statement on its future could come before early August, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil tonight.

Mr Ahern said that the British and Irish governments expected to hear from the terrorist group before the August bank holiday weekend in the Republic of Ireland.

The IRA has been considering its future since a major call in April by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams to strive to achieve its aims by political means.

Mr Ahern told opposition TDs today: “We would expect to hear in the weeks immediately ahead before the holiday break in August. That is what we believe but we don’t have any definite information.”

Mr Ahern said it was very positive that IRA activists around the country were engaging in debate about end the armed struggle.

“There has been all over the island of Ireland a meeting of people who have been involved in Provisional IRA activities over the years,” he said.

“The fact that they’re debating the issue is itself a good thing and hopefully we’ll get the right answer from them.”

The Dáil heard that that since meeting Mr Adams in Washington on St Patrick’s Day, Mr Ahern subsequently met Mr Adams before, during and after the general election in Northern Ireland.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will hold meetings in Belfast tomorrow with PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde, newly-elected Ulster Unionist Party leader Reg Empey, Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan and a SDLP party delegation.