Sinn Féin to discuss St Andrews proposals

Sinn Féin's ardchomhairle will meet in Dublin today to discuss the agreement on the North's political future reached at St Andrews…

Sinn Féin's ardchomhairle will meet in Dublin today to discuss the agreement on the North's political future reached at St Andrews in Scotland.

The party has held two weeks of consultation on the proposals put forward by the Irish and British governments. Sinn Féin said there was "ongoing negotiations regarding a number of core outstanding issues".

Party chairwoman and MEP Mary-Lou McDonald said the party would discuss "all of these matters" today.

The North's parties are to indicate to the governments on November 10th whether they agree to the proposals for restoration of devolution contained in the St Andrews agreement.

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Ms McDonald said there was a "huge responsibility" on the parties and two governments.

"If we can bring about a situation where anti-[ Belfast] Agreement unionists share power on the basis of equality with republicans, it will be a huge achievement," Ms McDonald said.

A party spokesman said policing would not be discussed by the ardchomhairle today but at a separate meeting, the timing of which would be decided by party leader Gerry Adams.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley called on Northern Secretary Peter Hain to get Sinn Féin to say when it would hold an ardfheis on policing.

He said progress could not be made without Sinn Féin's commitment "to exclusively peaceful and democratic means and support the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the courts and the law of Northern Ireland".

Dr Paisley condemned the party for not calling an ardfheis and accused it of dragging its feet.

Sinn Féin usually holds one ardfheis every year although the ardchomhairle can call a special ardfheis.

"They have given no indication of when they will convene their special meetings. It is Sinn Féin/IRA who are dragging their feet," Dr Paisley said.

If the parties indicate their agreement to the St Andrews proposals on Friday, Dr Paisley will be designated first minister of the Northern Assembly and Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness designated deputy first minister on November 24th.

At a party meeting in east Derry on Friday night, Dr Paisley also repeated that Mr McGuinness would have to take a pledge of office, including support for the police service, before he could become deputy first minister.

"No democrat has any difficulty in taking such a pledge," Dr Paisley said.