The Government's disagreement with the British over the postponement of the Northern Assembly elections was not a "charade or a pretence", the Minister for Foreign Affairs insisted in the Dáil last night.
During a tense debate on the stalled peace process, Mr Cowen rejected claims by Sinn Féin's leader in the House, Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, that both Governments had been pretending the IRA's initiative was not sufficient, but in reality they were "shielding David Trimble from the consequences of his actions". Mr Cowen insisted there was no pretence and said he would not have his "good faith and honesty" questioned.
Earlier, the Taoiseach welcomed the publication of the two IRA statements, but said it was a "great pity" the endorsement of Mr Gerry Adams's clarifications on paramilitary activity had not been forthcoming sooner. Mr Ahern described the current difficulties as a "temporary setback" and said efforts to make the agreement work would continue. "This is not a policy option."
Mr Ó Caoláin had said "we cannot go forward on the basis that the Irish Government is an honest broker". The Government had to act in the national interest, he asserted, accusing it of a "dereliction of its duty and of helping to pave the way for the disgraceful decisions by Tony Blair to ban an Irish election".
When that decision was announced in London "we had weak statements of dissent from the Government here in Dublin". Both governments were "pretending to be neutral arbiters while the unionist veto is allowed to succeed again", the Cavan-Monaghan TD said.
Mr Cowen said the Government "made clear" its disagreement about the election postponement in two meetings with the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy. "I wasn't involved in a pretence on those occasions. I will not have my good faith or honesty questioned by anybody inside or outside this House, and I won't have this Government's good faith questioned."
Mr Cowen said also an ambiguity "remains" about whether the "full range" of paramilitary activities had been dealt with. Unless this was addressed satisfactorily, "the prospect of inclusive partnership government being restored is unlikely to be translated into reality".
Mr Ahern believed that "yet another postponement of the elections causes more problems for the process that it solves. However, while we do not agree or endorse this step, the closest of partnerships between the two governments is essential to achieving continuing progress in Northern Ireland." He regretted the IRA clarification was "so protracted" and that clarity on alleged IRA activities was not forthcoming. Mr Adams's clarifications were obvious to many but not to others including unionists, "who must be persuaded if we are to make progress together.
"Without the support of moderate and reasonable unionists, it is very difficult to imagine how we are going to re-establish the devolved institutions and allow the Good Friday agreement to reach its full potential."
