THE FRAGILITY of peace in Northern Ireland and the responsibility of every citizen to contribute to maintaining it, was emphasised some weeks ago by former police ombudsman Nuala O'Loan. She correctly identified complacency as the enemy of peace.
And she spoke of the need for politicians and community activists to work together in adding to the progress that has already been made. Developments on the paramilitary front should amplify her message for all concerned.
Dissident republicans are becoming more active in their efforts to recruit members and import weapons. And while they are not capable of waging a sustained campaign at present, the potential danger they pose is being taken seriously. Already, they are using murder threats to dissuade nationalists from joining the Police Service of Northern Ireland. And, in an effort to preserve their smuggling and diesel-laundering activities, they have threatened Customs officers and Driver and Vehicle Agency staff who check vehicles. Loyalist paramilitary activity is having a similar, corrosive effect within their community.
The situation has been complicated by the involvement of former members of the Provisional IRA in criminal activities along the Border. Yesterday's arrest of six men in connection with the murder of Paul Quinn may provide an insight into such matters. The Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) concluded some months ago that Mr Quinn had not been killed by the Provisional IRA but that members or former members of that organisation were involved. At the same time, the IMC warned against the dangers posed by loyalist paramilitaries and dissident republicans.
In such circumstances, it is imperative that the Northern Executive offers the public clear evidence of goodwill and co-operation: that economic and social progress is being made through peaceful means and that the days of widespread violence and tit-for-tat killing will not be permitted to return. Unfortunately, bickering and disagreement between the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Féin on a range of issues has resulted in no meeting of the Executive being held since mid-June. That is a dangerous development and one that should be sorted out. The political compromises that were accepted, in order to create the Executive, have to be sustained and developed. Peter Robinson, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness have obvious difficulties. In responding to them, they must be careful not to provide any oxygen for paramilitary organisations.