Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness has been "forthright enough and honest enough" to admit his past membership of the IRA and called on party leader Gerry Adams to do the same.
Mr Adams has always denied having been a member of the IRA.
Speaking at last night's Fine Gael presidential dinner in Dublin, Mr Kenny said he believed Mr Adams had also been a member of the IRA's so-called army council.
“From all of the evidence that I’ve read and all the evidence that I’ve heard, my belief is that he was a member of the IRA and I’m led to believe he was also a member of the army council of the IRA," he said.
“When Deputy Adams says to me that he wants a truth and reconciliation commission in respect of dealings in Northern Ireland, I’d like him to be absolutely truthful about this.
“I had a serious discussion with Martin McGuinness, deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, and he was forthright enough and honest enough to admit that he was a member of the IRA. Gerry Adams might like to make a statement about that."
