McGimpsey accuses IRA of jeopardising Agreement
Stormont Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Michael McGimpsey said the IRA’s refusal to honour its commitment last May to put its arms completely and verifiably beyond use was causing ‘‘serious damage’’ to the political institutions set up under the Good Friday Agreement.
‘‘The newspaper editorials today in Northern Ireland and the Republic show how out of touch republicans are on decommissioning. They must honour their obligations or be excluded from the political process.
‘‘The only threat to the entire peace process comes from republicans. If this process fails it will be because the IRA broke their word.’’
The issue of decommissioning featured in a cross-border security summit involving Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid, Justice Minister John O’Donoghue, Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne.
A Northern Ireland Office statement said the participants also discussed the threat posed by dissident republican terror groups like the Real IRA.
It also reported: ‘‘While noting significant successes and the excellent level of cooperation between the security forces, the Secretary of State and the minister reaffirmed their determination to take all possible measures to deal with the threat posed by those who would seek to thwart the democratic will of the people.’’
The RUC Chief Constable and Garda Commissioner gave assessments of the security situation.
The meeting also addressed the issues of cross-border smuggling and policing reform in Northern Ireland.
