NOW, with just four days remaining, Ireland approaches the most momentous day in a lifetime - whether it will say Yes or No to the Good Friday peace deal for Northern Ireland.
And equally crucial is how clearly that verdict is delivered.
Thus far, opinion poll evidence in Ulster suggests its people are set to vote 'Yes' in Friday's referendum, but that the vote may be qualified by Protestant fears that their concerns are ultimately being sold out.
Is it not time, then, if Sinn Fein wants the peace deal to work and for it to have an honest role in the democratic government of Ulster in the future, for it to assuage those fears - by at least announcing a date for the decommissioning of IRA weapons?
A 'No' vote will be a disaster for Ireland.
But a qualified 'Yes' vote may be hardly better.
Sinn Fein and the IRA still have the has the opportunity to improve that - by signalling that they really want a permanent peace.
Previous news story
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article