The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, is to decide shortly whether to implement the Patten proposals on policing. Northern Ireland Office sources said he would make his decision soon. "He was very conscious that there had to be proper consultation on Patten, but equally he doesn't want to prolong issuing his decision," said one source. Last month, Mr Mandelson indicated he wanted to implement the recommendations fully.
Republicans in particular regard the proposals as crucial to the overall success of the Belfast Agreement. Equally, the British government is hoping for a reciprocal gesture from the IRA on arms in the event of Patten being implemented.
On either Monday or Tuesday the Assembly will discuss a motion from the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, rejecting the Patten recommendations.
The motion, stating that Patten "would reward and elevate terrorists while demoralising and destroying the Royal Ulster Constabulary, whose members, both full- and part-time, have diligently and with great distinction served the whole community", is certain to win favour with unionist Assembly members.
Meanwhile, Mr Gerry Adams has stated categorically in the United States that he would not be standing for a Dail seat in the next general election.
He also told a rally in New York on Thursday he could foresee a united Ireland by 2016, the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. The logic of the peace process and the Belfast Agreement was leading to unification, he said.
"If we want to make progress then there is no reason whatsoever - as someone who has dealt with the unionists close up, as someone who has dealt with the British close up - why we cannot celebrate the 1916 Rising in 2016 in a free and united Ireland," he told Sinn Fein supporters.
