Former Labour leader Mr Dick Spring said today the IRA will eventually disband and the "jury still is out" on how Sinn Féin would do in the General Election.
Mr Spring said the IRA's continued existence was still hampering Sinn Féin in Ireland. "I think if you want to get into the democratic process and participate, which we want people to, then that means leaving a lot of the baggage behind and no ambivalence about it," he said in Tralee.
"The day of the Armalite in the one hand and the ballot box in the other is long gone. I think it is unacceptable and the vast majority of people find it unacceptable as well. I think it [IRA disbandment] is going to happen.
"I think, perhaps because of the people they have to bring with them, they can only do things in steps and stages but I would assume the Adamses and McGuinnesses in the [Sinn Féin] leadership realise that if they want to be accepted fully into the process, then the IRA has to be disbanded," Mr Spring said.
Mr Spring also said the election was difficult for the Opposition to fight because Mr Ahern's refusal to join a televised debate with other leaders had made it difficult for the Opposition parties to expose Fianna Fáil.
Opinion polls are tipping Sinn Féin's Mr Martin Ferris to take a seat next week at the expense of Fianna Fáil in Kerry North.
PA