§ 19. Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made towards securing a declaration of a permanent cessation of violence by the Irish Republican Army. [2532]
§ Sir Patrick MayhewIt is not for the Government to petition the IRA for a cessation of violence. Such violence is repugnant and wholly without justification. A democratic process of dialogue designed to reach agreement on a broadly acceptable way forward for Northern Ireland is in place and is on offer to Sinn Fein. It knows what needs to happen for it to be able to take part.