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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has called on the Sinn F\u00e9in leader to publicly state if her party has cut links with the IRA Provisional Army Council.<\/p>\nTaoiseach Leo Varadkar has called on the Sinn F\u00e9in leader to publicly state if her party has cut links with the IRA Provisional Army Council.<\/p>\n
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said he agrees with a PSNI assessment that Sinn F\u00e9in and the IRA are overseen by a Provisional Army Council.<\/p>\n
A report commissioned by the British government on the status of Irish terrorist groups in 2015 which was written by the PSNI and MI5, stated the Provisional Army Council still existed.<\/p>\n
The report also stated the Provisional Army Council still oversees the IRA and Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n
Mr Harris told Virgin Media News: \u201cIn national security matters and matters around the state, it is my obligation to report to the Government as you would expect me to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, we have been contributing to the IRC (Independent Reporting Commission) reporting on the status of various paramilitary groups and we would hold with their opinion on these matters.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am also aware of the PSNI and the British security services assessment and we do not differ from that view.\u201d<\/p>\n
He was speaking at a graduation ceremony of new garda recruits in Templemore, Co Tipperary.<\/p>\n
In response, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, asked why Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald does not disband the Provisional Army Council and the IRA or sever links with them.<\/p>\n
He tweeted: “Why doesn\u2019t McDonald disband the Army Council and the PIRA or if she cannot, repudiate them and sever all links and do so publicly and unequivocally?”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar and Micheal Martin have agreed to meet for exploratory talks next week as efforts to form a government intensify.<\/p>\n
The leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna F\u00e1il will get together next week after TDs failed to elect a new taoiseach on the first day of the new D\u00e1il on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar tendered his resignation to President Michael D Higgins on Thursday night but he will remain in place as caretaker taoiseach until a new one is elected.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for Fine Gael said the date and time of the meeting has yet to be confirmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Taoiseach spoke by phone to Miche\u00e1l Martin yesterday evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey agreed to meet in person early next week for exploratory talks.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine Gael has also accepted the offer from the Greens for exploratory talks next week,\u201d said the spokesman.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said on Monday he was preparing to go into opposition and that he would only seek a coalition with Fianna F\u00e1il as \u201ca last resort\u201d.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, The D\u00e1il failed to elect a taoiseach at its first sitting after the election as none of the leaders of the four main political parties nominated for taoiseach emerged with a majority to secure the role.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar, Fianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan were all nominated for the role.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald received the most votes to become the next taoiseach, 45, but was well short of the required figure of 80.<\/p>\n
There were 41 votes in favor of Mr Martin becoming taoiseach, while Mr Varadkar got 36 votes in favor of him continuing in the role, with 107 votes against and 16 abstentions.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Sinn F\u00e9in has been meeting with smaller parties and independent TDs in a bid to form a government without Fine Gael or Fianna F\u00e1l but may not have enough support to do so.<\/p>\n
Fine Gael and Fianna F\u00e1il have ruled out going into coalition with Sinn F\u00e9in, citing its left-wing economic policies and the party\u2019s past links with the IRA.<\/p>\n