John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

Now, to end that version of democracy, Sinn Féin demands the release of the criminals who killed Detective Garda McCabe. How can Sinn Féin convince me and others like me that in crossing this new line, it is sincere about ending all association with criminality? How can it condition my mind to allow me even to contemplate such a move? How can it tell me that I should once again betray the memory of an innocent servant of the State? Sinn Féin's current inflexibility hardly engenders trust.

Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin has led us a merry dance. First it walks away then it offers to return provided we grant just one more concession. On each occasion, it ratchets up its bottom line. The Irish people also have a bottom line. They are saying loud and clear, "Thus far shalt thou go and no further."

In recent days, Sinn Féin has said it will not be humiliated by photographs of decommissioning. As a Member of the Oireachtas, I respond by saying that I can see no greater humiliation than Members of the Oireachtas posing for a photograph in prison with the killers of a member of the Garda Síochána.