OPPOSITION TO BACK GOVERNMENT SECURITY MEASURES
Opposition to back government security measures
by Liam O'Neill Political Editor
THE Government is to get solid backing from the Opposition parties for a package of tough new security measures it will propose today to deal with those responsible for the horrific Omagh bombing.
That was the signal from the three Opposition parties at Leinster House yesterday, though they were loath to officially comment in advance of the changes to be decided by the Government this morning.
A Labour Party source said it was unlikely they would oppose the measures if there were in accordance with those indicated by the media.
Other sources said that, unless the Government's proposals were "way off the mark", the measures were likely to be supported, at least in principle.
"There may be a little bit of nibbling around the edges, but, that is all we are talking about," said one Opposition TD. The well-based speculation is that Justice Minister, John O'Donoghue, will ask his Cabinet colleagues to approve a package that will have three main elements: amendments to the Offences Against the State Acts to make it easier for the Gardai to secure convictions against those charged with membership of the Real IRA - the organisation responsible for the Omagh outrage - and other proscribed organisations; curbs on the right-to-silence for terrorist offence suspects; and immediate implementation of agreed restrictions on the right to bail for terrorist offence suspects.
A year ago, even a month ago, some of these proposals, particularly placing restrictions on the right to silence, would have given rise to serious reservations, not only in the Opposition parties, but, among Government members. However, the disgust at the murders in Omagh has wiped away any reservations at the need for an effective security response. There is also, of course, the question of preserving the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. Nobody is in any doubt that the purpose of the bomb was to try to destroy these.
Both Government and Opposition know there can be no pussy-footing about the security response to the vicious violence.
As some Opposition people see it, the challenge posed by the Real IRA and others of like mind is not only to the peace process but to the stability of the State itself.
"Either the State gets on top of these people or there will be a Loyalist backlash and the viability of the new Northern Assembly will be undermined. The challenge has got to be tackled with vigour," said a Labour TD.
The threat posed by the dissident Republicans is also seen as a serious challenge to the leadership of Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. "His reputation is at stake. If he gets on top of this, it will do him a lot of good, if he does not, it will do him an awful lot of damage," said one TD.
Ahern has shown, clearly, in the past few days that he recognises the challenge and the dangers. His tone has taken on a new firmness as he promises to deal ruthlessly with those Republicans who continue to refuse to declare publicly their position on a ceasefire.
Yesterday was spent finalising the package, with meetings involving the Taoiseach, the Justice Minister, the Tanaiste, Mary Harney and other colleagues and officials.
As the work continued, the Taoiseach also had a lengthy telephone conversation with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who has returned to his French holiday retreat.
Afterwards a spokesman said the two leaders were resolute in their intention to take measures to crush the organisation responsible for the bombing. They expressed their contempt for the excuses proffered by the so-called Real IRA. Amendments to the Offences Against the State Acts and some of the other changes proposed will require legislation and, accordingly, the Government is expected to recall the Dail from its summer recess within the next fortnight.
The high level of co-operation that the two Governments are prepared to undertake to stamp out the terrorist threat has been demonstrated since Sunday, with meetings between the Taoiseach and Tony Blair and other contacts between Dublin, London and Belfast.
This will be taken a step further tonight when David Trimble, the UUP leader will travel to Dublin for a meeting with the Taoiseach, the first such encounter since Mr Trimble was appointed as the North's First Minister two months ago. The meeting will give Mr Trimble and two senior party colleagues, Reg Empey and Ken Magennis an opportunity to be briefed at first hand about the security measures the Government proposes.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
by Liam O'Neill Political Editor
THE Government is to get solid backing from the Opposition parties for a package of tough new security measures it will propose today to deal with those responsible for the horrific Omagh bombing.
That was the signal from the three Opposition parties at Leinster House yesterday, though they were loath to officially comment in advance of the changes to be decided by the Government this morning.
A Labour Party source said it was unlikely they would oppose the measures if there were in accordance with those indicated by the media.
Other sources said that, unless the Government's proposals were "way off the mark", the measures were likely to be supported, at least in principle.
"There may be a little bit of nibbling around the edges, but, that is all we are talking about," said one Opposition TD. The well-based speculation is that Justice Minister, John O'Donoghue, will ask his Cabinet colleagues to approve a package that will have three main elements: amendments to the Offences Against the State Acts to make it easier for the Gardai to secure convictions against those charged with membership of the Real IRA - the organisation responsible for the Omagh outrage - and other proscribed organisations; curbs on the right-to-silence for terrorist offence suspects; and immediate implementation of agreed restrictions on the right to bail for terrorist offence suspects.
A year ago, even a month ago, some of these proposals, particularly placing restrictions on the right to silence, would have given rise to serious reservations, not only in the Opposition parties, but, among Government members. However, the disgust at the murders in Omagh has wiped away any reservations at the need for an effective security response. There is also, of course, the question of preserving the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. Nobody is in any doubt that the purpose of the bomb was to try to destroy these.
Both Government and Opposition know there can be no pussy-footing about the security response to the vicious violence.
As some Opposition people see it, the challenge posed by the Real IRA and others of like mind is not only to the peace process but to the stability of the State itself.
"Either the State gets on top of these people or there will be a Loyalist backlash and the viability of the new Northern Assembly will be undermined. The challenge has got to be tackled with vigour," said a Labour TD.
The threat posed by the dissident Republicans is also seen as a serious challenge to the leadership of Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. "His reputation is at stake. If he gets on top of this, it will do him a lot of good, if he does not, it will do him an awful lot of damage," said one TD.
Ahern has shown, clearly, in the past few days that he recognises the challenge and the dangers. His tone has taken on a new firmness as he promises to deal ruthlessly with those Republicans who continue to refuse to declare publicly their position on a ceasefire.
Yesterday was spent finalising the package, with meetings involving the Taoiseach, the Justice Minister, the Tanaiste, Mary Harney and other colleagues and officials.
As the work continued, the Taoiseach also had a lengthy telephone conversation with the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who has returned to his French holiday retreat.
Afterwards a spokesman said the two leaders were resolute in their intention to take measures to crush the organisation responsible for the bombing. They expressed their contempt for the excuses proffered by the so-called Real IRA. Amendments to the Offences Against the State Acts and some of the other changes proposed will require legislation and, accordingly, the Government is expected to recall the Dail from its summer recess within the next fortnight.
The high level of co-operation that the two Governments are prepared to undertake to stamp out the terrorist threat has been demonstrated since Sunday, with meetings between the Taoiseach and Tony Blair and other contacts between Dublin, London and Belfast.
This will be taken a step further tonight when David Trimble, the UUP leader will travel to Dublin for a meeting with the Taoiseach, the first such encounter since Mr Trimble was appointed as the North's First Minister two months ago. The meeting will give Mr Trimble and two senior party colleagues, Reg Empey and Ken Magennis an opportunity to be briefed at first hand about the security measures the Government proposes.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Further Information
Publisher: THE EXAMINER
Ref: TEX/089
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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