I can’t recall hearing about it being a demand before this year. But in any case, in previous years it was David Trimble rather than Ian Paisley leading the unionist side, so any previous years’ demands aren’t necessarily relevant anyway.
In this round of talks, photographic evidence was first mentioned in September and Sinn Féin immediately told the Governments that the IRA would not be likely to agree to it.
I’m inclined to agree with what you say about Paisley. I don’t have the depth of knowledge about the finer details of what we euphamistically call the “troubles” that you do, but it’s very hard to be sympathetic to anything Paisley says, actually it’s an impossibility for me. He doesn’t come across as a very pleasant man. Personally I’m convinced rightly or wrongly that he is a major stumbling block to a proper peace in NI.
Unless everyone is prepared to let the past go, this process will get nowhere. I don’t believe that expressing apologies means very much, the damage has already been done - from both sides.