Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The word "shadow" creates major difficulties for some parties, mainly the SDLP and Sinn Féin. I do not like the concept either, since it is not a full Assembly. I see no need to have it in shadow form. Deputy Rabbitte correctly interpreted me. We would like to drop the word "shadow" and have the Assembly meet for a set period. If the executive had not been formed by that date, we would have to re-examine matters.

That is my thinking at present. We will attempt to set up and operate the Assembly, in which many matters could be dealt with. The words "shadow" and "interim" create difficulties. A fixed period must be set as there would be no point in trying to set up an ineffective shadow Executive that would just go on and on. Agreement to do so would not be reached and neither the British nor the Irish Government wishes to do that.

We must have a meaningful period in which we can ascertain whether it is likely that an Executive can be formed. Obviously, I hope that it is. However, I do not believe that this would happen, as it should, on the first day, whereby one would trigger the D'Hondt mechanism and move on. It will be possible to construct such an arrangement, because many political decisions have been made without recourse to the Assembly and it is important that it is set up. While the Secretary of State, Mr. Hain, has certainly been performing his function, much has taken place without the participation of the political parties. He would also like to see the Assembly in operation. I agree with his comments on Monday that things cannot remain as they are. He wants to see progress, as do I.

As for decommissioning, I was not aware of the regulations referred to by the Deputy, but I will check it. As far as we are concerned, the matter is dealt with unless the regulations are to make provision for other groups to decommission. As far as the issue of the Provisional IRA decommissioning and the de Chastelain report is concerned, our position has not changed.

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