In fact, Gates' vision, which puts Microsoft at the center of the Internet's next phase, assumes the company will not be split up, and he gave no indication that Microsoft has an alternate plan of action should the government order the company's division.

CNN: Technology - Gates offers developers glimpse of Next Generation Windows

IRA's most recent statement is the first sign of a split, a sop to hardliners to reassure them about decommissioning, or an indication that Sinn Fein no longer means what it says, is impossible to know.

ECONOMIST: Sinn Fein comes on board