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Discussion: Sinn Fein unease and Fianna Fail
Read more about: Fianna Fail, Irish Politics, Northern Ireland, Republicanism, Sinn Féin
It seems that Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland is having a hard time convincing its people to accept policing, with reports of some IRA members aligning themselves to so-called dissident Republicans with a view to derailing the peace process, perhaps even by targeting the Sinn Fein top-brass themselves.
With all this going on in Northern Ireland, would a schism within Sinn Fein, as negative as that may be for the peace process, benefit Fianna Fail in the next election in Ireland? Would a split within Sinn Fein up North put the party in a weaker position across the country, leaving the gate open for the other Republican party to grab the votes previously lost with a view to dealing with the mess of the peace process at a later date, after they’ve returned to power?
Very relevant issue and things could move quite quickly if the governments stick to their deadlines — a big ‘if.’ The trouble with NI politics is the persistence of ulterior motives to various stories. Consider for instance the potential death threats to senior SF leaders. It could be true. But it’s also useful for Gerry and Martin to have those stories out there — “look at the risks we’re taking, the pressure we’re under — there’ll have to be compromise.” My sense is that main hardliners are already gone to RSF and smaller outfits, and that the political side of SF is holding fairly steady, tantalised at the prospect of ministerial positions and beefed up “county” councils if devolution is restarted. Clearly there is potential for defection among the hard men. It’s also interesting that Hain is going for Assembly elections rather than referendum to ratify St Andrews. The argument against this was always that it would strengthen SF and DUP at the expense of the UUP and SDLP. But is he thinking along the lines of Adam’s post, that it might increase the pressure on SF and maybe weaken them?
If Sinn Fein are trying to show people the dangers they’re undertaking by even considering acceptance of the PSNI, I think it’s a lost cause… does anyone really think Ian Paisely is bothered at the prospect of Gerry Adams & Co. being killed by their own, or Republicanism eating itself? I doubt it.
Although it is a fair point that the hardliners have probably moved on already, I mean they probably left when the IRA decommissioned earlier this year, as it was obvious what path the group was taking back then.
Bertie and FF have been very nice to Sinn Fein in recent years, considering the fact that they’re one of their biggest threats in Irish politics… most people saw it as the fact that they needed to be nice to coax them towards peace, but perhaps Bertie realised all along that pushing them in that direction would force them into a hole… after all SF are so successful as a party of opposition and perhaps Bertie is trying to highlight how little they have to offer by giving them the opportunity to offer it.
I doubt he’s planned to split the party, but I just wonder if he’d be all that bothered if it happened, after all, SF did so well last time on the back of their NI progress, and a devolved NIA would sit very well with the Irish electorate next year too… but if the whole thing collapsed on the back of SF pissing about, people would be less inclined to give them the thumb up, perhaps.
Yes.
The major blocking point to peace in N.I. is Sinn Fein/IRA.
Without continuing dissent, Adams & Co. are history, as their power base is founded on gun law; armed robbery; extortion; prostitution; protection rackets; drugs; smuggling & the fools in the USA who give them cash, with the connivance of the misguided Kennedy clan.
If there was a lasting peace, which the SDLF could guarantee, the extremists would, once again, be marginalised and it behoves Bertie Ahern, an IRA sympathiser, to give these people the Order of the Drain - 1st Class.
Because of the peace process Sinn Fein are one of the fastest growing political party’s(supporter wise) in the republic and i think Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein would be good for the republic and it’s people.
i believe RSF is only going to break the votes of the republican/nationalist’s of Northern Ireland.
I don’t agree with the “SOS” person,
IF you don’t like Sinn Fein i don’t believe you can justify called it’s supporters “fools”,
I thought this country was a fair country but some people say it wrong to support “Sinn Fein”,
how is that fair if someone supports Sinn Fein they have the right to support them without arguments and other people say bad things about Sinn Fein.!!!!
And back to the point an hand, I believe Sinn Fein are the only true Republican/nationalist political party in NI.
i know Sinn Fein have had a bad history but most people, country’s and political party’s do, every one has the right to they opinions, but don’t blame Sinn Fein for there history, give them the benefit of the doubt.