Government stance ambivalent - Kenny

Opposition parties have called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to clarify the Government's position on the "Colombia Three" and how…

Opposition parties have called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to clarify the Government's position on the "Colombia Three" and how it plans to deal with the controversy.

It comes as members of the Progressive Democrats called for the three men to be arrested immediately.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny accused the Government of an "ambivalent" attitude towards the case and suggested it should introduce measures that would lead to the three men serving their sentences in an Irish prison.

He also called on Mr Ahern to outline in detail the instructions given to Irish diplomats who are travelling to Bogota in the coming days to brief the Colombian government on the Irish position on the issue.

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"Notwithstanding the obvious legal and judicial complexities of this case, it is incumbent on the Taoiseach and the Government to make it clear that the Irish Government is determined that those who involve themselves in international terrorism must face the consequences of their actions".

Mr Kenny suggested the Government should explore "the possibility of agreeing a bilateral arrangement which could see these men serving their sentences in Irish jails if their extradition is not possible".

"If the Taoiseach does not pursue all possible means of ensuring that justice is done in this case, Ireland's international reputation will be damaged and the suspicions of those who fear that the return of these terrorists was part of a secret deal between the Government and Sinn Féin or the IRA will be heightened."

Labour's justice spokesman Joe Costello said the Government was trying to "wash their hands of responsibility" over whether to extradite the men, by claiming it was solely a matter for the Garda and the courts.

He acknowledged that any attempt to extradite the men would be fraught with problems because of the human rights record in Colombia.

Senator John Minihan (Progressive Democrats) said if the three men did not give themselves up they should be "arrested immediately".