Sinn Fein's youth wing, in a departure from main party policy, has signalled its rejection of the Patten report on policing in the North.
At their second national congress in Dublin at the weekend, Ogra Shinn Fein delegates voted both to reject the report "out of hand" while at the same time withholding final judgment until detailed consultation has taken place.
The main party has withheld any verdict on the Patten report until it completes consultations with its grassroots. However, there have been signs that the party leadership is prepared to view the document positively.
At an ardcomhairle meeting last month, Sinn Fein appointed a subcommittee to "engage with and monitor the discussion on the issue within the party". The subcommittee is due to bring a report to the party's ardcomhairle within a couple of weeks.
The weekend gathering of 120 young delegates at Liberty Hall heard calls for a motion to withhold judgment on the report until a detailed consultation had taken place as well as two motions to reject it.
A Belfast delegate told the audience there were people within Sinn Fein who were afraid to put forward their opinions, and waited for the leadership to "give them a line".
"Ogra Shinn Fein should be able to come out and say we don't agree with this without creating some kind of a split," said Ms Rosa McLoughlin.
An amendment proposed by Ms McLoughlin was passed, combining the three motions calling for rejection and further consultation. Her amendment also added: "While we believe that there should be more debate and discussions on our initial findings we reject the Patten report out of hand and wait on proposed legislation."
Delegates also passed a motion that they begin discussing lobbying the main party at the next Sinn Fein ardfheis to call for an introduction of abortion on demand.
A motion calling for Ogra Shinn Fein to begin a discussion on the legalisation of cannabis with a view to lobbying the next party ardfheis on its views was also passed.
In his address to delegates, the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, warned that the Belfast Agreement was "finished" if the Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, did not face up to his responsibilities.
Mr Adams said there was no certainty of success from the review currently under way, but efforts had to continue to make the review succeed.
"We have to keep trying because whether Mr Trimble accepts this or not, or whether he knows or cares how much his stance is disappointing and frustrating all those people who voted - North and South - for the Good Friday agreement, the reality is that he represents the best chance, at this time, for the rest of us.
"Of course, the British government has a huge role - the central role - to play. But the reality is that if Mr Trimble does not face up to his responsibilities then the Good Friday agreement is finished."
Mr Adams said there was no sign that Mr Trimble's party was prepared to accept any alternative to its demand.
"The UUP leadership is engaged in a high-risk strategy which is, essentially, about preventing the establishment of the executive and the interlocking all-Ireland structures," he said.