Taoiseach accused of hypocrisy on Sinn Féin

DUP MP Gregory Campbell has accused the Taoiseach of hypocrisy in his attitude to excluding Sinn Féin from sharing power with Fianna Fáil.

Mr Campbell told the Glencree Summer School that undoubtedly, the spectre of Sinn Féin in government in the Republic had played a large part in concentrating minds about the threat from the republican movement.

"Bertie Ahern's new objection to a place for Sinn Féin in coalition with his own party is seen through by all but the most gullible observers. His true objection is not Sinn Féin's opposition to the European Union or their economic policies, but the Irish electorate's aversion to having Sinn Féin in government.

"It is little wonder, whatever his reasons, that many in Northern Ireland view him as being hypocritical in seeking to pressurise unionists into government with Sinn Féin at Stormont."

Mr Campbell said the artificial deadline imposed for the restoration of the Northern institutions was now less than three months away. Expressing pessimism that it would be reached, he said the preparation-for-government committee had conducted a heavy work programme over the summer, particularly this month, and the fact that the work had continued without collapse would come as a surprise to some.

"It could not be argued with any degree of conviction that an awful lot had been resolved on the substantive obstacles, but the committee had provided the opportunity to identify which particular issues parties feel most strongly about and which will be the most difficult to address in subsequent negotiations."