I heard yesterday, for the first time, face to face from Hugh Orde, the head of the PSNI, and from the Garda Commissioner, that the Dunmurry, alcohol and cigarette issues arose last year.
There was no going around the houses in the conversations, given their security briefings.
- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern
At issue is an end to smuggling of whiskey, knee-capping, punishment beatings, diesel laundering, confiscation of cigarettes, smuggling of vodka, bank robberies and all the other elements of racketeering and criminality which abound and are driven by the Provisional IRA with, as the Taoiseach says, the knowledge of the leadership of Sinn Féin.
-The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny
I would prefer not to get involved in the politics of exclusion. However, I am not sure if the White House will take a similar view.
- Mr Ahern on whether Sinn Féin will be invited to the traditional St Patrick's Day festivities in the White House