I am convinced that a lot of (IRA weapons) decommissioning did take place, but Father Reid has fundamentally undermined the very work he was part of. How can the word of somebody using that sort of language be taken seriously?

259

The agreement, if it is to work, has to be exclusively democratically based. The more they try to use these weapons for bargaining power, the less we believe they're prepared to use exclusively peaceful means.

196

She was a larger-than-life figure. She was not the stuffy type of traditional cabinet minister.

186

The weekend's violence was much more deep-seated than many are perhaps prepared to accept. There has been a build-up of resentment that those who practice violence get listened to and have their concerns addressed ... Republicans are seen to influence government by threatening force and getting rewarded for their efforts.

155

The people are fed up with politicians and the cost of keeping this place (the assembly) open.

149

The only way to get to the truth is a full public inquiry, this is the very least the prime minister and the Northern Ireland Secretary can do.

100