Sinn Féin’s mask slips to reveal the bloody politics of the Provos

‘NEW POLITICS’ results in Independent TDs holding the Government to ransom to pass their pet projects. ‘New Politics’ results in Independent ministers not having to bother focusing on their own portfolios and instead expending their efforts on other areas of policy.

‘New Politics’ results in a relatively straightforward measure which should be passed in a matter of weeks tying up the legislature for months on end when there are more pressing matters deserving of this time.

‘New Politics’ results in the Attorney General, the Government’s legal adviser, saying a bill is a “dog’s dinner”, yet the legislation still not going back to be drafted in a more comprehensible manner.

‘New Politics’ results in the dog’s dinner just getting more scraps ladled in.

‘New Politics’ results in the Ceann Comhairle, the chairman of the Dáil, calling a halt to a debate on the legislation because it’s just getting too confusing.

‘New Politics’ results in the Opposition party propping up the Government to keep them in office deciding to rebel because of the objections of vested interests.

‘New Politics’ results in the Government party making up an administration whose competence is waning on a daily basis having to shop around for new allies.

‘New Politics’ results in a minister happening upon a party whose agenda for wanting to influence particular legislation is insidious.

And that’s when the mask of ‘New Politics’ slips to reveal old, bloody and violent politics – not even the politics of the Civil War, but a more malevolent threat to the institutions of this State of more recent times.

‘New Sinn Féin’ leader Mary Lou McDonald was doing so well in persuading the chattering classes she was one of them. She was compassionate on the cervical cancer crisis. She was commanding on the abortion debate.

They were willing to interpret her declaration of ‘Tiocfaidh Ár Lá’ upon becoming Sinn Féin leader as a mannerly nod to the passing old guard, rather than a salute to the Provisional IRA.

‘New Sinn Féin’ had reformed its ways. And then, at Fine Gael’s invitation, it got involved in the legislation around reforming the appointment of judges, the Judicial Appointments Bill, 2017.

Stymied by his ‘friends’ in Fianna Fáil and needing to pass the bill to sate the appetite for self-justification of Shane Ross, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan in his innocence was drawn in by the allure of ‘New Sinn Féin’.

What was behind Sinn Féin’s reforming zeal around the appointment of judges was bluntly revealed as one of their veteran TDs ranted about the “anti-republican bias of judges in the Special Criminal Court”.

The Special Criminal Court was necessary to combat the threat terrorism and criminality played to this State and to democracy. The role of its judges should be lauded.

If the price for keeping Mr Ross happy and to retain power for Fine Gael is giving Provo sympathisers a say in the appointment of judges, then it is far too costly.

Mr Flanagan should sort out his differences with Fianna Fáil on this measure rather than signing a sordid deal with ‘New Sinn Féin’ on an area where it cannot be trusted.