One of the most significant moves last week was Ahern’s backing of sanctions for anyone breaking their committments under the Agreement. It may have done the Irish government’s standing with ordinary Unionists no harm, but i Nationalists are not so keen.
Sean Mac Carthaigh speculates on the motivations behind what he sees primarily as a concession to Unionists. However it seems the root cause is that Sinn Fein have lost considerable sympathy in Dublin over the revelations of a spy-ring operating at Stormont. The constant drip feed of Unionist politicians who have been placed back on wartime security protection as a result, will not have helped either.
Update: This editorial in the Irish Democrat puts the case for spying from a Republican point of view.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
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