Republican Sinn Fein has said it plans to open offices in Belfast and Derry within the next year. The party said it wanted to increase its profile in the North and to offer nationalists an alternative to the Belfast Agreement.
Speaking after an internal debate on party organisation, Ms Geraldine Taylor from west Belfast said: "Opening offices in the North will be a rallying point for all those opposed to the Stormont deal.
"There are so many republicans disillusioned and saddened at the way the struggle has gone after all the sacrifices that have been made. People voted for the Provos in the Assembly elections but there is no way they will continue to support them at Stormont."
Republican Sinn Fein vice-president Mr Des Long said his party had to increase its profile. It was easier for the authorities to "stamp" on a low-profile organisation, he said.
He encouraged members to stand for local elections in the Republic. "Our people are as good as any and morally they are better than many. They are not out to defraud the people," he said.
Mr Long said the "republican struggle" had not been about removing British soldiers from the streets in the North. "It's not a case of flying British soldiers out because they can be flown back in 24 hours. It's about getting rid of the British from Ireland for good." Resolutions were passed at the ardfheis demanding an immediate British withdrawal and the release of all paramilitary prisoners.
There was no motion on the clar, as in previous years, welcoming the support for Republican Sinn Fein's objectives expressed by the Continuity IRA.
However, it is understood this was for tactical reasons.