SF ardfheis under review, says McLaughlin

The chairman of Sinn Féin, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin said the party's ardfheis will be kept under review over the next few days due to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The ardfheis is due to take place in Dublin on March 10th and 11th.

"Sinn Féin have been urging people to act responsibly and to co-operate fully with measures to ensure that this disease does not enter the island.

"We are all conscious that this potential epidemic places at risk the livelihoods of communities throughout rural Ireland."

Mr McLaughlin said his party had been in contact with the Department of Agriculture, who did not recommend that the event be cancelled.

"We will be keeping the matter under constant review over the next few days," he said.