The Garda Commissioner says he has "no regrets" over his comments linking the Provisional Army Council to Sinn Féin.
Last week, Drew Harris said An Garda Síochána doesn't differ from the PSNI view that a provisional army council oversees both Sinn Féin and the IRA.
A PSNI-MI5 report from 2015 claimed both the IRA and Sinn Féin are overseen by a council with a political strategy - nothing that a "much reduced" Provisional IRA (PIRA) leadership remains committed to the peace process.
The PSNI reiterated its view last year.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald responded to the Garda Commissioner's remarks by saying nobody directs the party other than members and the leadership.
The party's justice spokesperson Martin Kenny has also insisted that the IRA no longer exists "in any form".
Speaking after a meeting with the Policing Authority this evening, Drew Harris told Newstalk he stands over the comments he made last week.
New: The Garda Commissioner says he has “no regrets” over his comments about the Provisional Army Council & Sinn Féin. He says his comments were “entirely clear” & he never engages in political interference & his comments require “no clarification”. “I stand over those comments”.
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) February 26, 2020
He said: "I never engage in political interference, and my comments require no clarification or amplification.
"As I said, my comments require no clarification - so that's obvious that I do stand over those comments and I have no regrets about them."
The Garda Commissioner added that he believes his comments were "entirely clear".
