Move on decommissioning of IRA arms is unlikely in short term, says Taoiseach

The Taoiseach repeated his view that there is unlikely to be any short-term move on the decommissioning of IRA arms.

"It is quite clear to any close observer, as everybody in this House is, that we are unlikely to see any move on decommissioning in the immediate future," said Mr Ahern. "That is not to say that Sinn Fein is not complying with the terms of the [Belfast] Agreement."

He was replying to the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, who said the Taoiseach had already put it on the record of the House that Sinn Fein and the IRA were two sides of the same coin. "Are they, in effect, telling you that they cannot convince themselves to initiate a process of decommissioning?"

Mr Ahern said his observations had been well made to the Sinn Fein representatives repeatedly, and they were well aware of his views.

Asked by the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, about the implications of the resumption of punishment shootings by paramilitaries, Mr Ahern said he would condemn them.

However, the number of punishment beatings had declined dramatically. "What tends to happen in Northern Ireland is that as soon as there is any gap or delay in the political process, people immediately return to this."

Mr Ahern also condemned the "brutal and callous" murder of Mr Brian Service.

Replying to the DL leader, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, about the failure to meet the deadline for the establishment of the shadow executive, the Taoiseach said it was unhelpful when any part of the agreement was not strictly adhered to.

Mr De Rossa said to a significant extent the demands the republican movement had been making relating to policing and prisoners were being implemented.

Mr Ahern said he had made all those points himself. But Sinn Fein would consider that it had moved even further than required by the agreement. The party had not been asked by the agreement to put its most senior person dealing with the international commission on decommissioning.

Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said that there was concern within the nationalist and republican community in the North at the passing of the October 31st deadline contained in the agreement. There was a deep concern at the real prospect of further slippage on the implementation of the agreement, leading to the creation of a political vacuum into which might step the sectarian assassins.

"In defaulting in his undertakings, First Minister David Trimble is exercising, as I see it, and many do on this island, a veto on the will of the vast majority of the people who voted for the Good Friday Agreement."

Mr Ahern said he would continue to work with the British Prime Minister, but equally the process needed the assistance of all of the parties to do their bit.

Earlier, the Taoiseach said it was "highly likely" that he would return to Northern Ireland for further talks. He was replying, on the Order of Business, to the Fine Gael spokesman on finance, Mr Michael Noonan.

Mr Quinn asked when the Government would bring forward the legislation to establish the human rights commission, the equal status legislation Bill and the legislation required to amend the nationality of citizenship act.

Mr Ahern said it was hoped that the human rights commission Bill would be ready early next month. "I hope some of the other measures will be ready this side of Christmas."