FG senator 'sick' of SF's lectures

It was time for the British and Irish Governments to come down hard on political parties that were inextricably linked to paramilitary…

It was time for the British and Irish Governments to come down hard on political parties that were inextricably linked to paramilitary organisations, Mr Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House said.

"Those parties must decide, once and for all, whether they are on or off the peace train.

"The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation should be reconvened so that nationalist Ireland, on both sides of the Border, can make a clear and unequivocal statement about the ending of violence in this country. I am sick to the teeth of some political parties lecturing this State about corruption and human rights violations when their own political buddies are involved in these activities day in, day out. This must be brought to an end."

Mr Hayes said that Sinn Féin liked to lecture them about human rights violations in Colombia. However, it did not want to deal with its own human rights violations on this island.

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"We all had to sit back and bite our tongues for the past ten years or so, while one political party decided when to move on the issue of violence. It is time for us to speak with one voice and demand a complete end to acts of terrorism and paramilitarism as soon as possible. That statement should come from this House," he said.

Last week's Opposition change to the Civil Registration Bill was overturned. A Government Amendment to delete the alteration was carried by 29 votes to 17.

Mr Brian Hayes, Fine Gael leader in the House, said that the Government move to overturn the democratic decision of the Seanad was "a bad day's work."