A word of explication.

Looking at the British news, I can't help but get the impression that people in Britain don't quite know what the news is.

Last week, the news was not that the IRA had committed the UK's largest ever bank robbery. Everyone knew that the minute details of the robbery emerged. No, the news was that the Irish Government publicy stated that the IRA were behind the robbery. And Bertie Ahern called Gerry Adams "childish".

Similarly, this week, the news is not that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness are part of the IRA's ruling council. Everyone already knew that. Everyone. The news is not that Sinn Fein and the IRA are largely the same organisation. Big yawn. No, the news is that the Irish Government have stated these facts in public. That is momentous.

Broom of Anger has some ideas about where this is all heading.