Taoiseach should increase efforts to catch dissident republicans
An Ulster Unionist assemblyman has attacked the SDLP for refusing to endorse proposals for a new police force in the North. During a debate at Stormont, the UUP leader, David Trimble, said he had asked the Taoiseach to increase efforts to arrest dissident republicans.
During question time at Stormont, Ulster Unionist assemblyman, Duncan Shipley Dalton, who is in the pro-Agreement wing of his party, attacked the SDLP saying they lacked the decency and moral courage to nominate members to the new Police Board.
He said this was undermining unionist confidence in the whole Agreement.
Party leader, David Trimble, said there was certainly a crisis of morale within the RUC. Continuing uncertainty over the future of the force was undermining their effectiveness and ability to tackle paramilitary groups.
Esmond Birnie of the UUP wanted a tougher line from Dublin against republicans and said the present leader of Fianna Fail should learn from the ruthlessness of his predecessors when dealing with dissidents.
Mr Trimble said he had impressed on the Taoiseach the importance of uncovering IRA arms dumps, which, while they were not secure, posed a serious risk to the public.
