Ahern looks forward to IRA ‘ceasing to exist’

The Taoiseach today said he looked forward to the day when the IRA no longer existed.

Mr Ahern made the comment after welcoming Sinn Féin's Mr Martin McGuinness's confirmation today that he was the IRA's second in command in Derry on Bloody Sunday.

Speaking in the Dáil,Mr Ahern said: "I do think it is arealistic assessment for us all here as political parties, who work closely with them [Sinn Féin], that we will get to the stage over the next few years where the IRA will cease to exist in the form that Sinn Féin have had a close association with."

Mr Ahern said he thought Mr McGuinness had made his statement "in the spirit of the Saville Inquiry" into the Bloody Sunday shootings.

We will get to the stage over the next few years where the IRA will cease to exist in the form that Sinn Féin have had a close association with The Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern

Sinn Féin President Mr Gerry Adams was today challenged to reveal his past in the IRA following the admission by Mr McGuinness.

Ulster Unionist Mr Cecil Walker said in the light of Mr McGuinness's decision to admit to the Saville Inquiry his position: "It is time for Gerry Adams to come clean on his past in the republican movement."

The North Belfast MP said: "Republicans who want to attack the record of the RUC and the army must not be allowed to hide their own past activities."

PA