The on-the-runs
Up to 30 republican "on the runs" could be allowed to return to Northern Ireland with a guarantee of freedom under a new deal. Sinn Féin has been pressing hard for the on-the-runs to come home as part of any agreement. Republicans claim the issue has remained an anomaly with paramilitary prisoners already freed under the Belfast Agreement. However, unionists insist no amnesty should be granted.
Among top republicans wishing to return to the North are Ms Rita O'Hare, Sinn Féin's publicity chief in the US, who is wanted for questioning about a shooting in Belfast more than 30 years ago. Hunger-striker Bobby Sands's election agent, Mr Owen Carron, is also seeking to return. He succeeded Sands as the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone after the hunger-striker's death but jumped bail while facing gun charges.
Under the proposals, all paramilitary fugitives would face a form of judicial commission, but would escape imprisonment. They would be released on licence, similar to prisoners freed after the Belfast Agreement was signed in 1998. However, Sir Reg Empey, one of the senior Ulster Unionist negotiators at Hillsborough insisted the two were completely separate. "The issue of on-the-runs is outside the Belfast Agreement. It is something that has been the discussion of both Sinn Féin and the British Government for some time now.
"The reason we are here today is to deal with the end of private armies." One Unionist source said: "It will be opposed by us at Westminster and the government will have serious problems getting it through the Lords."
Sinn Féin tried to play down the significance of the issue, but insisted the British government had to deliver this time.
A senior republican source said: "It's an emotive issue, but it's not a big deal. We are only talking about 30 people.
"It was never expected to be an amnesty. All we need is a mechanism to deal with the issue, and I think we have that. But we have been told that before, after the Weston Park talks." - (PA)