POLICING:SINN FÉIN Junior Minister Gerry Kelly told delegates that they must not lose their nerve on the next big issue for the party in the North - devolving policing and justice powers to the Northern Executive.
As the Sinn Féin ardfheis was discussing the transfer of these powers and other justice and policing issues, the North's First Minister and DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley issued a statement saying the transfer would not be possible by the St Andrews Agreement target date of May.
Mr Kelly said the creation of a department of justice on the Northern Executive was the "next big challenge" for Sinn Féin, which "will not be without difficulties".
"The 'No' men within political unionism are becoming further isolated on this issue. The two governments and all of the other parties are on board. We need to ensure that the voice of communities across the North is heard on this issue," he added. "People see the logic and importance of transferring these powers. This is not an argument that the rejectionists in the DUP will be allowed to win," said Mr Kelly.
"I call on republicans to keep our nerve. Keep delivering policing change. Keep the pressure up on the two governments and keep our eye on the prize of a fully accountable policing service in the North for the first time since partition." Belfast city councillor Tom Hartley, chairman of the west Belfast district policing partnership, which holds the PSNI to account at local level, spoke about how since Sinn Féin endorsed policing in January last year, policing structures were gradually bedding down.
He said he chaired a partnership meeting last week held in a Methodist hall at the interface between the loyalist Shankill and nationalist Falls areas of west Belfast which was attended by 100 people. Mr Hartley said they discussed issues that were crucial to the area such as "death driving", anti-social activity, drink and drug abuse, and how the PSNI intended to work with the community.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, said the murders of the Polish men, Pawel Kalite and Marius Szwajkos, was not only a tragic blow to the men's families but to the community in Drimnagh and Irish society. "It is a stark reminder of the dangerous rise in drug and alcohol-related disorder," he said.
Condemning the Government's record in tackling such crime, Mr Ó Snodaigh said it was "giving more to the horse and greyhound racing fund than to tackling drugs".
He said Sinn Féin could be proud of its record in combating drug crime. "During the 1980s and 1990s, Sinn Féin took a lead in the campaign against drugs and drug dealing in Dublin," he said. "For doing so we were often vilified by the establishment and media and harassed by the gardaí, but we were respected and supported by our communities."
Mr Ó Snodaigh said "in a different but no less meaningful way" Sinn Féin throughout the country was continuing "to meet with local communities in tackling anti-social behaviour through our support for local community safety groups and restorative justice groups".
