John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

The ultimate measure of a person is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at the times of challenge and controversy. This is where Mrs. McCabe and her family, the Government and the people of Ireland stand today when faced with the possibility of the release of the killers of Detective Garda McCabe. The only promise I can make to Mrs. McCabe and the other victims of this awful period in this history is that the line has to be drawn on the IRA. It must disarm and disband and I, in my role as a Member of this House, will do all I can to force Sinn Féin to deliver.

I am glad I am a member of a party where I am allowed to express my views without fear of being kneecapped, beaten with a baseball bat or exiled.