No, the thread is not futile. Reasoned discussion is educative. Name calling is puerile and non-productive.

Guest/Belfast has a point. He should be listened to. David Irvive is one Protestant politician, whom I as a Nationalist can relate to - because he comes across as sincere with a deep understanding of what makes the communities tick on both sides of the divide.

Irvine made the vaild point on Radio this morning that it would be a bad day for Northern politics if Sinn Fein politicians walk away from the IRA (as the Irish and British Governments want). His conviction is that for the peace process to work - the considerable following that the IRA have must be brought along to accept that the way forward is through peaceful and democratic means. Only people with a mandate and leadership qualities like Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness can achieve this.

Even though he will not say this openly, I think Bertie Ahern sees the validity in Irvine's stance. Hence his reluctance to impose sanctions on Sinn Fein (demanded by other poiticians). Sanctions would be absolute madness - firstly because there is no evidence that in the recent events the Sin Fein politicians have done anything untoward. Such santions would be seen as further proff of how scared the established parties are of the political progress made by SF over the past two years.

Secondly, because it could be the last straw for Nationalits who up to this put their trust in democratic means. The reultant isolation would be disaster.