Sinn Fein's u-turn on the proposed British amnesty for paramilitary fugitives has let the Government off the hook, it was claimed today.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern planned to set up an Eligibility Body to decide whether to grant presidential pardons to on-the-runs (OTRs) wanted by gardai for alleged offences in the Republic.
But Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte said yesterday's decision by Sinn Fein to suddenly oppose the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill has conveniently allowed the Government to drop its proposals for the constitutional pardons.
"The volte face conducted by Sinn Fein yesterday in deciding to oppose, having hitherto supported, the British legislation has conveniently allowed the Government to announce it is dropping its plan to grant presidential pardons to on-the-runs in this jurisdiction," he said.
"This decision has conveniently allowed the Government to abandon its own ad-hoc proposals to grant presidential pardons to on -the-runs that was met with strong opposition when initially announced."
Mr Rabbitte claimed that Sinn Fein had struck a deal with British Prime Minister Tony Blair to grant an amnesty for the estimated 1,800 unsolved murders of the Troubles for both paramilitaries and members of the security forces.
"Sinn Fein has now baulked at the Bill in the face of opposition from victims groups and political parties North and South and in Britain," he added.
"They found themselves exposed, supported only by the British authorities with whom they had struck this dirty deal.
The Labour leader reiterated his call on Mr Ahern to persuade Mr Blair to scrap the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, and insist that any alternative must be acceptable to Northern Ireland political parties as well as victims.
PA