From banned on the airwaves to the slickest PR machine.

It was British Labour prime minister Harold Wilson who coined the famous phrase that a week is a long time in politics.

If that be the case, then 24 years is an eternity, indeed for many, especially younger people it certainly is.

Twenty four years ago this day, January 11, 1994 the Government lifted the 15-year broadcasting ban on the IRA and Sinn Féin.

And isn't it ironic that today Sinn Féin, most likely has the savviest and slickest PR machine of all the political parties on the island of Ireland.