THE British defence minister sees little prospect of a renewed IRA ceasefire and has warned that the IRA is intent on targeting British army personnel and bases.
Mr Michael Portillo, on a visit yesterday to British army headquarters at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn, said the talks process would continue regardless of whether the IRA restored its ceasefire.
Following the double car bombing without warning at Thiepval Barracks last month in which a British soldier was killed, army security had increased, Mr Portillo said. The British army had to be prepared for further IRA attacks and it was clear the IRA had the "security forces in their targets".
"I do not at the moment see any prospect of an IRA ceasefire, but even without a ceasefire the political process will continue with all those parties bent unreservedly on the democratic process," Mr Portillo said.
"If there were an IRA ceasefire and I repeat I see no sign of one - it would have to be unambiguous. It would have to be demonstrated by deeds as well as by words," he added.
A newspaper report yesterday that the repair bill for Thiepval could be more than £20 million was dismissed as "grossly exaggerated". "We are talking about a figure which is a very great deal lower than the figure in the newspaper."
Mr Portillo said there were no plans at present to increase troop levels in Northern Ireland.
