Eh? Sorry to have to point this out to you Richard, but I believe you require a reality check:

In 86 years, after at least 700 years of occupation, the political process in Ireland attained independence for 26 counties of the island of Ireland. In the remaining six counties that still form part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, that same democratic political process has brought Unionist and Republican politicians into a shared Government for Northern Ireland.

Pssst Richard - The IRA control sweet FA they are still an illegal organisation in Eire have been for 86 years in fact.

While your about it tell us what the results of the all-Ireland referendum on violence in politics was Richard - Believe it was something like 92% or more voted that violence, and the threat of violence has no place in Irish Politics - So much for the mandate of the people of Ireland for paramilitary groups.

Current status:

- Northern Ireland still remains part of the UK and will continue to be so until the majority of the people in Northern Ireland vote to change that by referendum.

- The Police Service of Northern Ireland still exists.

- The British Army is still present in Northern Ireland although it no longer is required to "aid the civil power".

- The INLA was virtually destroyed during the "Troubles"

- The Provisional IRA has disbanded and its weapons have been decommissioned according to the IMC.

- The IRA Army Council no longer is involved in criminal acts or politics according to the IMC.

The Republican paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland Richard were fought to a standstill in a war of attrition they could never win. They took the only course that was left open to them, they put down the guns, stopped killing people, and started to talk - And that ol' son they could have done in 1969, and give them their due the Official IRA recognised that.