The Fianna Fail TD, Mr Ivor Callely, was reprimanded by the party leadership yesterday for suggesting that Sinn Fein should be able to attend the all party talks on June 10th without the restoration of the IRA ceasefire.
He appeared to be in conflict with Fianna Fail policy when he pressed the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, during Question Time in the Dail to state whether he held Sinn Fein responsible for the actions of the IRA.
Outlining the position of the Government and previous Governments "of which Deputy Callely's party were very much a part" on Sinn Fein and the IRA, Mr Spring said that successive Governments had operated on the practical assumption that Sinn Fein and the IRA were closely inter related in terms of ideology, strategy and, to some extent, personnel. The opening of Ministerial dialogue with Sinn Fein and its inclusion in the forum came about as a consequences of the 1994 ceasefire.
"While there are distinctions to be made, it is realistic to regard them as broadly part of the same movement," Mr Spring added.
Mr Callely responded that he took it from Mr Spring's reply that he held Sinn Fein responsible for IRA actions. Last week in reply to a question from him (Mr Callely) the Taoiseach clearly indicated that the IRA was solely and ultimately responsible for its actions.
"The Minister and the Taoiseach are singing from the hymn sheet but it does not up if the Minister holds Sinn responsible for the actions of another group and the Taoiseach believes that the IRA is ultimately responsible for its actions," the Dublin North Central TD said.
Mr Spring, in a later intervention, said: "We have pursued consistent policies in relation to subversive organisations and we are not going to change that policy now.
At this point, the Fianna Fail spokesman, Mr Ray Burke, rose and said: "Lest there be any misunderstanding, that is the position of the Fianna Fail party." A Fianna Fail spokesman said later that Mr Burke's intervention was "timely, appropriate and correct and expressed Fianna Fail policy as enunciated by the party leader on a number of occasions".
It is understood that Mr Callely was reprimanded last night by Mr Ahern's chef de cabinet, Mr Paddy Duffy.
