DUP position themselves to isolate Sinn Fein.

Interesting speech by DUP Deputy Leader and East Belfast MP, Peter Robinson today. Apart from the Sinn Fein/IRA linkage claims from the IMC report. There seems to be moves to start links with the south and the southern parties. He said.

Unionists know Northern Ireland has much to gain through good relations with the Irish Republic

Considering Jim Allister DUP MEP said a few days ago that

Bearing this reality in mind, the most obvious and natural area of co-operation is co-operation undertaken on an east-west basis, rather than the unnatural and politically-motivated north-southery

So suddenly it has gone from unnatural to much to gain. Also

The dangers unreconstructed republicans pose in democratic politics is the same in Dublin as it is in Belfast. They have the potential to pollute the entire political process.

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I hope that you come to see you have more in common with democratic unionists (with a small "d"; and "u") than with unreconstructed republicans even though you may share with them the same ultimate constitutional objective.

I can see this line increase in an attempt to use the Dublin Riots to isolate Sinn Fein. Even though it was not Sinn Fein who organised the riots. It is quiet likely that Sinn Fein members were in the thick of it and some of the tabloids have reported this. If this is proved and linked to the Dublin branch. Mary Lou may not get her seat. But even if it is not linked Sinn Fein will suffer. Despite Mr Aherns 's attempt to reclaim republicanism from Sinn Fein republicans are still seen as Sinn Fein whether they are or not. For once Bertie maybe happy he failed.