The importance of motivating factors, predisposing individual characte
ristics and proximate situational determinants in the initiation and m
aintenance of the campaign of violence by the Provisional IRA, as prop
osed by Heskin (1985a) is reviewed. The influence of these factors and
others in the possible diminution and discontinuation of political vi
olence in Ireland is considered. Particular attention is given to the
changing world political climate and the increasing importance of tran
s-national political and economic alliances, the evident stalemate in
the conflict and the moral nature of the conflict from the perspective
of the Provisional IRA as key factors in negotiating a peace settleme
nt.