Kenny Demands Immediate Meeting with Ahern

[aodh_rua]

Enda Kenny has demanded an immediate meeting with Bertie Ahern over alleged secret meetings with the Provisional IRA. These meetings in the run up to the recent announcement on standing down now seem to have included assurances on speaking rights for northern MP's (as claimed by Gerry Adams), some accomodation for the Colombia Three and even a re-examination of the status of Det. Garda Gerry McCabe's killers.

For a very long time now, dealings with the northern situation have been relatively bi-partisan so that the issue did not become a political football. The flip-side has been that leaders on both sides of the house have been briefed on initiatives. If Bertie has gone on a solo run, and made offers that go well beyond his mandate what will the implications be? Have the PD's been kept in the dark too.

It wouldn't be Bertie's first attempt to secure his legacy and personal standing through the north. It's no coincidence that the second IRA ceasefire came into force very quickly after he became Taoiseach in 1997 - surely he must have been working on a parallel strategy to the government while leader of the opposition, a dangerous strategy that may have delayed the announcement of the second ceasefire.

[Gladstone]

THe days of not playing with the north as if it were a football are over, i would never vote sd but what fg and the pds are doing is clearly for electoral reasons.

[aodh_rua]

THe days of not playing with the north as if it were a football are over, i would never vote sd but what fg and the pds are doing is clearly for electoral reasons.

As opposed to Ahern's attempt to single-handedly complete a process that politicians from all sides have helped build. The bi-partisan approach has been ditched by the government side, there's no football if everyone is on the same team, but now one greedy player seems to be making a push for personal political gain. The key to the successful completion of the northern process is to bring everyone along together, north and south, east and west, unionist and nationalist which is why the bi-partisan approach has worked. Back-room deals reduce the trust and goodwill available and could seriously jeopardise securing a broadly supported outcome.

[rockofcashel]

THe days of not playing with the north as if it were a football are over, i would never vote sd but what fg and the pds are doing is clearly for electoral reasons.

As opposed to Ahern's attempt to single-handedly complete a process that politicians from all sides have helped build.

I don't want to turn this into a football Aodh, but since the beginning of the Peace process, starting with the Adams-Hume talks, can you name one, just one, constructive thing FG have ever done to help the process along ?

[aodh_rua]

THe days of not playing with the north as if it were a football are over, i would never vote sd but what fg and the pds are doing is clearly for electoral reasons.

As opposed to Ahern's attempt to single-handedly complete a process that politicians from all sides have helped build.

I don't want to turn this into a football Aodh, but since the beginning of the Peace process, starting with the Adams-Hume talks, can you name one, just one, constructive thing FG have ever done to help the process along ?

The environment in which Hume\Adams and the subsequent discussion could be conscienced by the wider political community was due in no small part to the Anglo-Irish agreement which I would consider Fine Gael's best contribution to the process.

I'm not understating the role of FF governments and Taoisigh (especially Albert who seems to be forgotten in our recent history); what I am concerned with is that with the finish line hopefully in sight, even the thought of secret deals will alarm many on both sides of the border.

I don't want to make a political football out of the north either, so I'll try to limit myself to the means rather than the ends. I think that Enda is right to get some answers from Bertie on what he offered and why.

[BarryW]

since the beginning of the Peace process, starting with the Adams-Hume talks, can you name one, just one, constructive thing FG have ever done to help the process along ?

Erm……..the Framework Documents maybe? The Mitchell Principles?

Are these not constructive contributions, in your book?

http://www.ucc.ie/law/irishlaw/frame.../frame_d.shtml

Have a read and you’ll notice that most of what’s included here went on to be in the GFA. So no Framework Document, no GFA.

And also: are you seriously suggestin that the Peace Process only began at the Hume-Adams talks ?!

[popper]

Enda's back! Is this some sad attempt to bolster his credibilty in the midst of his embarrassment over the Rossport situation?

He would be far better advised lending his support to his constituents instead of Royal Dutch Shell and the DUP.

[jjcarroll]

Enda's back! Is this some sad attempt to bolster his credibilty in the midst of his embarrassment over the Rossport situation?

I know, getting elected on the first count as the Mayo opinion poll predicts will be hugely embarrassing.

[popper]

Whether he is re-elected or not, Kenny is clearly embarrassed over the Rossport situation as he proved by his bumbling interview on Morning Ireland last week. Can't be doing his credability as future Taoiseach any good.

[commentator]

THe days of not playing with the north as if it were a football are over, i would never vote sd but what fg and the pds are doing is clearly for electoral reasons.

As opposed to Ahern's attempt to single-handedly complete a process that politicians from all sides have helped build.

I don't want to turn this into a football Aodh, but since the beginning of the Peace process, starting with the Adams-Hume talks, can you name one, just one, constructive thing FG have ever done to help the process along ?

Given that he effect of the process has been to legitimise British rule in N.I. ( a long held FG strategic goal) I would be surprised at any FG attempt to unhinge the process.