Sinn Féin leaders meet Taoiseach

A Sinn Féin delegation led by party president Gerry Adams will meet the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today for a review of the peace process.

The meeting comes as another potential crisis looms after David Trimble's warning that this week's meeting between the British and Irish governments and the pro-Belfast Agreement parties will represent the “last chance” to deal with the situation in Northern Ireland.

In another attempt to force Prime Minister Tony Blair’s hand, Mr Trimble said the British government risked losing public support unless the situation was resolved.

Mr Trimble believes the almost nightly scenes of violence on the streets of the north has been orchestrated by republicans.

Sinn Féin’s ruling executive, the Ard Comhairle, met in Dublin on Saturday to discuss the peace process and continuing sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

Caoimhghin O’Caolain, the leader of Sinn Féin’s five-strong membership of the Irish parliament, said there was a “serious escalation in loyalist-orchestrated sectarian attacks across Belfast”.

“There is a need for a rigorous review of progress made thus far in implementing the Good Friday Agreement and this has to include the two governments record of delivering on their obligations,” he added.

(AMcE)