“Gerry Adams and his organisation are now fully absorbed into the apparatus of British rule in Ireland…”

The BBC reports that Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Owen Paterson, has rejected a Sunday Times report that talks were being sought with “dissident republicans” through intermediaries despite opposition from the Irish government. 

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams, has said it’s “not a stunt” to seek talks with “the political groups linked to some armed republican faction”.  Or with “criminal gangs whom [they] consider has links with MI5″?  

His former speech-writer Jonathan Powell apparently agrees.  Although those Adams is reportedly seeking talks with disagree on the subject that might, or might not, be under discussion.

And others are more scathing in their criticism

[Des Dalton from Republican Sinn Fein] said Sinn Fein was now “absorbed into the apparatus of British rule”.

“Unfortunately Gerry Adams chose at that point not to listen to that advice and chose to embark on the road which was forecast where it would end up is where they are today,” Mr Dalton said.

“Gerry Adams and his organisation are now fully absorbed into the apparatus of British rule in Ireland and we feel we have absolutely nothing to say to them on that basis.”