A long way to go yet

Speaking shortly before attending an annual service of remembrance and wreath laying ceremony in Kilkeel today, UUP Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy said:

"On a day when we will be remembering many other people killed in the Troubles it is also worth remembering thatThursday, August 27, will be the thirtieth anniversary of the attacks that killed eighteen soldiers at Narrow Water in Northern Ireland and Lord Mountbatten and three other people in Mullaghmore in the Republic.

"It was one of the blackest days of the Troubles. And like everyone else I hope that days like that will never ever happen again.

"But could I just note:

* IRA propaganda exercises on GAA grounds involving Sinn Fein members

* Increasing evidence of dissident republican activity

* The dissident road blocking at Meigh in South Armagh last night

"All of this suggests that there are elements within the IRA and within dissident republicanism who haven't yet put the past behind them and embraced the future.

"That being the case it might actually be a good idea to slow down the process of either closing police stations and identifying stations for closure.

"And it would also be a good idea to make sure that all of the loose ends of policing and justice are properly tied up before we proceed with devolution.

"While I accept and acknowledge that huge progress has been made in the last decade---I also believe that there is a long way to go before the journey has been completed. Like many others I simply don't believe that a majority of unionists have the 'confidence' to entrust policing and justice to a puppet minister jointly controlled by the DUP and Sinn Fein.