The reality is that the people that we represent are no longer going to be second-class citizens in their own country.

If the British government is prepared to say that the Unionists will not have a veto over British government policy and that guns, vetoes and injustices will all be left outside the door, then there is no good reason why talks cannot take place in an appropriate atmosphere.

Along with that ongoing process Sinn Fein took a decision to establish a peace commission which had the responsibility to travel around the country to receive submissions from the general public, also our opponents.

British rule depends upon repression and collaboration and the Irish people should recognise that those who collaborate with Britain in exchange for a slice of the cake will implement British policy and remain silent when Irish people are murdered and oppressed. It is they who are responsible for prolonging the war in Ireland. Without the quislings, without the collaborators, we would already have reached freedom.

Our ability to make a decision about the declaration is hampered by the British government being reluctant to give us the clarification which we require.

That's healthy and good for us that there are people who are prepared to question what we are doing.

The British government says that for Sinn Fein to be involved in talks the guns must be left at the door.