Sir, - Everyone agrees that the ongoing suspension of Stormont is highly dangerous to the peace process. Many republicans would hate to see the IRA decommission a single bullet. Many unionists would never agree to a simple affirmation by the IRA that the war is over. With no immediate breakthrough likely, one is left clutching at ever thinner straws.
Might the situation be improved if both sides accepted the following kind of statement from the IRA: "The cessation of hostilities is as permanent as a Stormont Assembly running in complete accordance with the just principles set out in the Good Friday Agreement"? - Yours, etc.,
Peter De Rosa, Ashford, Co Wicklow.