Vol. 470 No. 7
61 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Sinn Féin would welcome the restoration of an IRA ceasefire; his understanding of the political conditions which would encourage such a development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19960/96]
I assume that all parties, including Sinn Fein, which claim to be committed to the achievement of peace and to the negotiation of a comprehensive political settlement, would welcome the unequivocal restoration of the IRA ceasefire. That is certainly the position of the Government. Nevertheless, as I have made clear in this House on several occasions, it is for the IRA itself to make that decision and thus to make possible the entry of Sinn Fein into the multi-party talks. While I am not prepared to speculate on the IRA's thinking, it has been generally recognised that as stated in the February Communiqué, "confidence building would also require that the parties have reassurance that a meaningful and inclusive process of negotiations is genuinely being offered to address the legitimate concerns of their traditions and the need for new political arrangements with which all can identify."
