Sinn Fein's Stormont Ministers Mr Martin McGuinness and Ms Bairbre de Brun will meet the Taoiseach on Thursday to try to secure a lifting of the ban on them attending North-South Ministerial Council meetings. A spokesman confirmed that both Ministers would take their campaign for a lifting of the ban to Dublin. They have decided to meet Mr Ahern instead of taking part in the weekly Cabinet discussion at Stormont. Sinn Fein hopes the meeting will increase pressure on the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble, to lift the ban imposed last October. Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams and the party's vice-president, Mr Pat Doherty, are also expected to attend the meeting. A Sinn Fein spokesman said the decision to forgo the Cabinet meeting was an indication of the seriousness of the situation.
"The main issue of the discussions will be the behaviour of David Trimble and the obstacles he has placed in the way of Bairbre and Martin fulfilling their ministerial responsibilities.
"We had tried to get a different day and time this week to enable Martin and Bairbre to attend the Executive but that was not possible but I think it is an indication of the gravity of the issue that they have decided to travel to Dublin instead." Mr Trimble imposed the ban in protest at the lack of progress on decommissioning. It was declared unlawful by a Belfast High Court judge after Sinn Fein mounted a judicial challenge. The ruling is being appealed by Mr Trimble. Meanwhile, the Alliance Party has expressed concern that anti-Agreement unionists will use the Westminster election to undermine the Belfast Agreement. Alliance leader Mr Sean Neeson said: "Unless there is a deal before the election, there is a very real risk that the post-election balance of power will not only be much, much less conducive to making any progress but will pose a threat to the survival of the institutions."
Unionists yesterday expressed concern about policing levels after it was disclosed that 821 RUC members have applied to join phase two of the voluntary severance scheme.
It is believed they include two assistant chief constables and more than 10 chief superintendents. Around 500 officers have already taken early retirement as part of the scheme aimed at reducing numbers to 7,500 in line with the Patten Commission's recommendations.
Meanwhile, an emergency session of the Assembly will be held today to discuss plans to display Easter lilies at Stormont. Unionists are hoping to overturn the decision last week of the Assembly Commission.