Sinn Fein decide to confer on policing

The Sinn Fein party executive meeting has decided to hold a series of meetings on policing and a special conference will be held on January 28 with a vote on backing policing.

Following the meeting of party's Ard Chomhairle in Dublin, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said that backing had been received for a proposal for an extraordinary Ard Fheis to go ahead on January 28.

"This is a hugely courageous decision and will ensure that the

process continues to move forward," Mr Adams said. "I believe that the new beginning to policing promised in the Good Friday Agreement is now within our grasp. Sinn Fein wants to get policing right. The Extraordinary Sinn Fein Ard Fheis is the important next step."

Mr Adams said: "Irish republicans and nationalists want, need and deserve proper and accountable policing. On Thursday, December 28, I said that I believe that Irish republicans need now to take the necessary next step on policing that it is the right thing to do. This was the position I put to today's meeting. In response, the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle today took the historic and courageous decision to proceed to an Ard Fheis on policing despite the failure of the DUP to respond positively.

"If the Ard Fheis adopts the proposed motion then we will have the potential, for the first time ever, for the full involvement by Irish republicans in policing structures across the island."

While some republicans see the move by Sinn Fein to back policing in Northern Ireland as a step too far, both Mr Blair and Mr Ahern have made it clear that is a prerequisite for getting devolution on track.

The DUP leader Ian Paisley cautiously welcomed the decision by Sinn Fein as a "step forward," but have said that they must see action and not just words.

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey called for open meetings to be held between the party leaders. The SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Sinn Fein would have to agree to accept policing.

NI Secretary of State, Peter Hain said: "This is very good news for everyone who has the interests of Northern Ireland at heart.

"By committing the Republican movement to support for the police in the clear and unequivocal terms that it has, Sinn Fein has played its part in breaking the deadlock that has paralysed political progress in Northern Ireland.

"The St Andrews Agreement made it clear that a lasting settlement must be based on the twin pillars of support for police and justice by everyone and power sharing on a fair and equitable basis by everyone.

"Of course there must be delivery on both of these commitments and there is absolutely no reason why we should not be on course for the restoration of the Assembly and Executive on 26 March and the devolution of policing and justice by May 2008."

(SP/KMcA)