Varadkar calls on McDonald to disband IRA Provisional Army Council

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.

The report also stated the Provisional Army Council still oversees the IRA and Sinn Féin.

Mr Harris told Virgin Media News: “In national security matters and matters around the state, it is my obligation to report to the Government as you would expect me to do.

Why doesn’t McDonald disband the Army Council and the PIRA or if she cannot, repudiate them and sever all links and do so publicly and unequivocally? - ‘Harris agrees with PSNI that army council still oversees Sinn Féin and IRA’ https://t.co/iezbK6kLcS

— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) February 21, 2020

“Also, 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.

“I am also aware of the PSNI and the British security services assessment and we do not differ from that view.”

He was speaking at a graduation ceremony of new garda recruits in Templemore, Co Tipperary.

In response, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, asked why Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald does not disband the Provisional Army Council and the IRA or sever links with them.

He tweeted:

Why doesn’t McDonald disband the Army Council and the PIRA or if she cannot, repudiate them and sever all links and do so publicly and unequivocally?

Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar and Micheal Martin have agreed to meet for exploratory talks next week as efforts to form a government intensify.

The leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will get together next week after TDs failed to elect a new taoiseach on the first day of the new Dáil on Thursday.

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.

A spokesman for Fine Gael said the date and time of the meeting has yet to be confirmed.

“The Taoiseach spoke by phone to Micheál Martin yesterday evening.

“They agreed to meet in person early next week for exploratory talks.

“Fine Gael has also accepted the offer from the Greens for exploratory talks next week,” said the spokesman.

Mr Varadkar said on Monday he was preparing to go into opposition and that he would only seek a coalition with Fianna Fáil as “a last resort”.

On Thursday, The Dáil 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.

Mr Varadkar, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan were all nominated for the role.

Ms McDonald received the most votes to become the next taoiseach, 45, but was well short of the required figure of 80.

There were 41 votes in favour of Mr Martin becoming taoiseach, while Mr Varadkar got 36 votes in favour of him continuing in the role, with 107 votes against and 16 abstentions.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has been meeting with smaller parties and independent TDs in a bid to form a government without Fine Gael or Fianna Fál but may not have enough support to do so.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have ruled out going into coalition with Sinn Féin, citing its left-wing economic policies and the party’s past links with the IRA.