Leadership views:Sinn Féin leaders began the debate by insisting that policing in Northern Ireland should not be left to the unionists, the SDLP, or the Irish Government.
Chief negotiator Martin McGuinness roused delegates and urged them to seize the opportunity to advance republicanism. Proposing the ardchomhairle motion he said: "Today is D-Day," he said. "Decision Day, to deliver for Ireland."
He said the debate took place against the backdrop of increasing Irish nationalist confidence and the rise in Sinn Féin at succeeding elections. The republican movement had considerable political power and this should be used to change Ireland fundamentally, he added.
Looking to future Northern elections he forecast that Sinn Féin could be the largest political organisation in the North, overtaking the DUP.
Castigating the British and Irish governments and the SDLP to the delight of the ardfheis, Mr McGuinness said the Irish Government needed to become "energised on this issue".
"Today I hope we will deal decisively with the issue of policing," he said, admitting that January 28th will be a significant day for republicans. But he added: "Blair and Hain must make January 29th an even bigger day for Ian Paisley," and to press him to share power.
Turning to the SDLP, he said Nuala O'Loan's report on the McCord killing was "collusion for slow learners" and he criticised the DUP reaction to Mrs O'Loan's findings. "This highlights their commitment to the rule of law."
Recounting his first day as minister for education, he said he made clear to his civil service staff that he "was the boss".
"It's the same with policing now. The PSNI will have to earn our trust," he said.
Party president Gerry Adams said he had made up his mind "a short time ago" to back policing and the courts system, and he accused the SDLP of being "PSNI cheerleaders".
He claimed that Sinn Féin had "stayed out" of the Policing Board because "that was the best way" to bring about the necessary oversight of police.
Sinn Féin's justice and policing spokesman, Gerry Kelly said the party had to avoid "political isolation" if it is to achieve its political ambitions. "The best way to avoid that is to make sure that more and more people understand, accept and support our strategy.
"After getting this far we cannot leave this fundamental arena to be dominated by unionists who have dominated the same area for generations - and we especially cannot exclude ourselves. Every arena that Irish Republicans have entered they have made radical change for the benefit of ordinary people. This is no different," said Mr Kelly.
Seconding the proposal, Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald called on delegates to recognise current political reality. "The RUC has gone. We demanded a new beginning [ to policing] and we were right to stay out [of policing structures] and increase pressure for change. The advances we secured must now be implemented."