Adams and Ahern discuss Northern policing

The thorny issue of policing dominated talks between Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin.

The two men met in Dublin on Wednesday February 20 to discuss policing arrangements in Northern Ireland before Mr Adams launched Sinn Féin's 'No' campaign on Ireland's forthcoming referendum on abortion.

Speaking before the meeting outside Government Buildings, Mr Adams said the proposals for police reform did not go far enough to satisfy the nationalist and republican communities.

Sinn Féin have consistently refused to endorse the current policing board and back the Police Service of Northern Ireland. They maintain current reforms to redress the policing services and controls do not meet the reforms contained in former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten's policing report on the way forward for Northern Ireland.

Mr Adams said: "We have made it very clear that the legislation has to include and involve Patten. The minimum for republicans or nationalists to be involved in this policing proposition is Patten.

"Patten is not there at the moment, particularly in view of the whole impunity with which the Special Branch still acts."

Legislation amending police reforms is set to be laid before parliament later this year and Sinn Féin has been urged from many quarters to join the 19 member Policing board before this date.

Speaking at the weekend the Taoiseach said: "I hope that Sinn Féin would take the opportunity to come in, because I do think ultimately it is vital that everyone representing nationalist and republican, loyalist and unionist as re part of the police service."

(AMcE)