Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

One of the main reasons for the overwhelming "Yes" vote in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement was that people were led to believe that paramilitaries would decommission within two years and, ultimately, effectively wind up. This belief assisted us in putting up with the sight of people convicted of the most horrific crimes being freed from prison to the cheers of their associates while the true victims of their appalling deeds watched helplessly on their television screens, knowing that their mother, father, son, daughter, sister or brother would never return.

Seven years later, I and many others feel cheated that total decommissioning has not happened and the paramilitaries continue in existence. Indeed, the IRA issues statements which can only be viewed as a veiled threat to the Irish people. The Fine Gael motion calls on the republican movement to clearly demonstrate its commitment to full decommissioning and ending all its criminal and paramilitary activity. When I hear of the continuing criminality of the IRA, it reminds me of Alexander Pope's lines:

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;

Man never is, but always to be blessed.

Sinn Féin has led all to believe it can bring about the end of the IRA. Regretfully, one now gets the feeling that in Sinn Féin's eyes the IRA is always to be but is never quite finished.

The Sinn Féin-IRA strategy of the bomb and the bullet allied to the political dimension, in a tactical use of the so-called armed struggle, gave it a position on the stage that did not reflect its mandate. The document entitled Tuas, circulated in the summer of 1994, outlined how the republican movement would move forward. Some viewed this document as the "totally unarmed strategy", while others know it as the "tactical use of the armed struggle". This difference is the cause of our difficulty today and has led to this Fine Gael motion. Sinn Féin's new-found catch cry of its mandate must cause great pain for the SDLP which performed a self-sacrifice of sorts to help create peace as it struggled to offset the effects of Sinn Féin's new strategy. A similar tactic has been used to demonise the Progressive Democrats in an attempt to woo some of the Taoiseach's supporters.

There is a fear that the attitude of Sinn Féin to the peace process is beginning to resemble that of a schoolyard bully who keeps wanting more, while all around acquiesce "for the sake of peace". There comes a time, however, when we must step back and consider whether we can sacrifice democracy. Attempts were made to criticise Fine Gael for raising the issue of the early release of the murderers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe. However, the outpouring of public anger at this proposal has shown the Government there is only so much people will take. There are some promises that must not be broken and the State must have a bottom line. We cannot capitulate to blackmail and intimidation.

Recent court reports referred to some Members of this House being under surveillance. I do not doubt that many Members have been so, as have many members of the security force and many workers whose place of employment was or is to be the target of a criminal act. Most of the public cannot comprehend the sophistication of this intimidation. Members of the security forces must know that this country stands by them. Secret deals cannot be made that undermine the Garda Síochána, the Army and the courts.

When democratic Governments sit down with representatives of terrorist organisations, the final deal must be one that is acceptable to democrats. The anticipation of a good deal for democrats has created much goodwill for the Taoiseach in his efforts and those in all parties who want to reach a successful conclusion. However, the mandate refers to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. The IRA stated that it has contributed repeatedly to the peace process. We only want it to contribute once by confirming that it is going out of business. All paramilitary organisations must exit the stage.

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