[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 1742]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               SINN FEIN'S ARD COMHAIRLE VOTE ON POLICING

  (Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, last Saturday in Dublin, the 
national executive of Sinn Fein voted in favor of holding a special Ard 
Fheis on January 28 to vote on a motion supporting police and the rule 
of law.
  For those who remain committed to lasting peace and reconciliation on 
the island of Ireland, bringing this peace process to a successful 
conclusion, it was a development that would have been unimaginable just 
10 years ago.
  On both sides of the Irish Sea, the decision by Sinn Fein was 
welcomed as historic and important. The Taoiseach of Ireland, Bertie 
Ahern, called it a landmark and timely decision. The British Secretary 
of State for the North, Peter Hain, called it a hugely significant move 
of seismic proportions.
  Mr. Speaker, as someone who has been involved in this process for 
three decades, I would describe the action by Sinn Fein as remarkable. 
It is a reflection of the leadership of Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams and 
Martin McGuinness. At a critical moment, they honored their commitments 
and once again kept their word. A vote taken by the executive last week 
is just the latest example.
  No one should minimize the difficulties this decision is causing Sinn 
Fein leadership on the ground, but for nationalists and republicans the 
issue of policing has been a long and troubled history. I am confident 
that the special Ard Fheis will see it as a defining moment in Irish 
history and vote to support policing and the rule of law.

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