It is ironic that even as President Clinton hails Ireland as a beacon of hope for the world, emergency legislation comes into effect in both parts of the island to deal with those who would wreck the peace process with murder. It cannot be welcomed. But it has been a necessary reaction to dissident Republican violence. There has been criticism, particularly in the House of Commons, that the measures were rushed into law with undue haste. But time is of the essence if life is to be protected, the security forces empowered and the declared will of the people vindicated.
Three weeks have now passed since the so-called "Real IRA" launched its murderous assault. In that time, the nature of the Government's security response has become clear. The Taoiseach declared his determination to "crush" those factions engaged in violence. And his legislative lead was closely followed by Mr Blair. So while the legislation may have been hurried through, its nature was known and discussed at party leader level for some weeks. That reality was reflected in the overwhelming majorities the Bills received when they passed into law.
Security legislation in isolation will not bring peace to Northern Ireland. This time, however, there is a political framework - bridging both communities - on which to build. For the first time, an inclusive political settlement within a three-stranded political structure is on offer. On Monday, Northern Ireland's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, is due to meet with the other parties to discuss the implementation of the Belfast Agreement. And there are plans for an early meeting between him and the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, at which progress may be made on the establishment of a shadow executive.
There has been solid political progress in the week of President Clinton's visit. The nomination of Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness to liaise with the International Arms Decommissioning Body; the statement by Mr Adams that the violence of the past 30 years "must be for all of us now a thing of the past, over, done and gone" and the positive reactions of Mr Trimble, have all contributed to it. The visit by President Clinton, the support he has offered to both communities and his words of encouragement will, inevitably, add to that momentum.
In that context, it would be a dreadful mistake for the Provisional IRA to seek to impose discipline on its former members through shootings or punishment beatings. The Belfast Agreement provides for a peaceful resolution to present difficulties within the democratic process. No Government could stand aloof from an internal IRA feud. The full rigours of the law would have to be applied - with potentially dangerous consequences for the Belfast Agreement. The Agreement commits all parties to peaceful, democratic politics. That is why both Governments have undertaken to review the present emergency legislation once the threat of armed opposition to the Agreement passes.
The security forces now have at their disposal an array of legislation with which to neutralise the threat of violence. The responsibility for overseeing the use and application of these powers rests with the two governments. Successive governments in this State have been largely indifferent to such considerations in the past. The recommendations of the Barra O Briain report, for example, have been scandalously ignored over the years. This time it must be different.