John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

I agree with Senator Finucane's comments. It would be useful to debate the situation in Northern Ireland and the peace process in general. I am aware a similar call was made earlier in the week. I heard a Sinn Féin spokesperson state on radio this morning that the party is committed to the Good Friday Agreement. Has Sinn Féin ever read the document because it has things to say about weapons and so forth? An unacceptable degree of spinning occurs.

We also have the position of Sinn Féin stating it cannot be responsible for the actions of the IRA but when the IRA makes a gesture towards the peace process, as it has in the past, Sinn Féin seems to be able to take credit for it. The party cannot have it both ways.

Last night when asked on radio if he had ever killed anybody, a Sinn Féin Deputy replied that he could not say because one could not be sure in an ambush. That statement links Sinn Féin to the Provisional IRA. Certain issues need to be debated honestly and openly because terrorism persists in this country and needs to be rooted out. Sinn Féin must decide once and for all whether it wants to pursue democratic politics.