Many of you speak as if the Provisional Irish Republican Army are up and running. This isn't 1975.

If any of you came forward looking to join the Provo's, the answer would be, they no longer exist.

For any of you that didn't know, The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann formally ordered an end to the armed campaign on the 28th of July 2005.

All IRA units were ordered to dump arms, and they did.

All Volunteers were instructed to assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means, and they did.


The IRA leadership also authorised a representative to engage with the IICD [Independent International Commission on Decommissioning] to complete the process to verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which will further enhance public confidence and to conclude this as quickly as possible, this has now been carried out.

Two independent witnesses, from the Protestant and Catholic churches, did testify to this.

The Army Council took these decisions following an unprecedented internal discussion and consultation process with IRA units and Volunteers.

I was proud of the comradely way in which this truly historic discussion were conducted. The outcome of our consultations show very strong support among IRA Volunteers for the Sinn Fein peace strategy.

The overwhelming majority of people in Ireland fully support this process. They and friends of Irish unity throughout the world want to see the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Not withstanding these difficulties, decisions have been taken to advance republican and democratic objectives, including my goal of a united Ireland.

I believe there is now an alternative way to achieve this and to end British rule in my country. It is the responsibility of all Volunteers to show leadership, determination and courage.

I am very mindful of the sacrifices of our patriot dead, those who went to jail, Volunteers, and what we had to put up with.

I reiterate my view that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate.I am conscious that many people suffered in the conflict.


There is a responsibility on society to ensure that there is no re-occurrence of the pogroms of 1969 and the early 1970s.

There is also a universal responsibility to tackle sectarianism in all its forms.

I understand there is bad feeling towards all Oglaigh for the campaign in Britain, I am sorry for any loss of life.

The campaign is over and please allow those interested in the subject to debate it's history if so required. I am a republican, and very proud of it, if any of you have a problem with that, sorry the problem is yours.

DS