Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

"Both governments and all parties should follow Sinn Féin's lead" - Ó Caoláin

Published: 29 January, 2007



Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, in welcoming the decision of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis to "critically engage" with policing in the Six Counties, has said that both Governments and all parties should now follow Sinn Féin's lead and act with courage and determination to fully implement the Good Friday Agreement. He called on the Irish Government to repeal the Offences Against the State Acts and to ensure greater accountability for the Garda Síochána.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said:

"The decision of the membership of Sinn Féin to critically engage with policing in the Six Counties was a momentous step that took courage and determination. We need to see the same courage and determination from both Governments and all parties, especially the DUP, to ensure the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

"Throughout the debate and consultation which took place prior to the Ard Fheis, a key point raised by party members was the weakness of the Irish Government in failing to press the British Government on a whole range of issues, but especially on policing itself. The Œheavy lifting' in negotiations was done by Sinn Féin. The Irish Government joined with the SDLP in accepting far less than was needed to ensure a new beginning to policing.

"On the issue of collusion also, the Taoiseach has been far too accepting of the claims by the British Prime Minister Tony Blair that he can do no more. I have written to the Taoiseach urging a special Dáil debate in the wake of the O'Loan Report on collusion and of the British government's continuing refusal to establish an independent inquiry into the murder of Pat Fiuucane, as demanded in a Dáil motion passed unanimously nearly a year ago.

"A new beginning to policing and justice is not solely a Six-County issue. The repeal of the draconian Offences Against the State Acts is long overdue. We need far more robust accountability structures to ensure an end to political policing, corrupt policing and inefficient policing in this jurisdiction.

"We also need a reality check from many in political and media circles who continue to apply double standards when it comes to Sinn Féin and the DUP. Far too often the DUP has been treated with kid gloves and has never been subject to the kind of in-depth political interrogation reserved for republicans." ENDS