Ahern defends planned pardons for paramilitary fugitives
30/11/2005 - 12:31:13The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has defended his plan to offer presidential pardons to paramilitaries wanted in the Republic for offences committed before the Good Friday Agreement.
The Government is planning to offer the pardons in tandem with moves by the British government to allow so-called "on-the-runs" to return to the North without fear of imprisonment.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte both slammed the move in the Dáil today, with Mr Kenny claiming it was part of an underhand deal with Sinn Féin.
Mr Ahern said the pardons were agreed in mainstream negotiations and were not part of any secret arrangement. He also said the issue surrounding fugitives was crucial to pushing forward the peace process.
