'Talks have descended to farce' - Adams

Talks on the future of the Belfast Agreement have descended into a farce, Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams claimed today…

Talks on the future of the Belfast Agreement have descended into a farce, Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams claimed today.

During a visit to Dublin, Mr Adams said he was concerned at the failure to inject a new momentum into the peace process.
 
The West Belfast MP, who was meeting community groups in Dundrum and Tallaght, said Sinn Féin had pressed for a "two-pronged approach" from the Irish and British governments to restore devolution and honour outstanding commitments under the Agreement.
 
But he added: "Instead we have a review which is now little more than a farce and even that has been cancelled until after Easter, despite parties like Sinn Féin putting forward a comprehensive agenda for discussion.

"The two governments have to come up with a more focused structure if they really want to make progress."
 
Mr Adams's comments came after nationalist SDLP negotiator Mr Sean Farren also expressed concern that the review of the Agreement was drifting.

Sinn Féin and SDLP negotiators were meeting in Belfast today to discuss their concerns.

READ MORE

The two Governments are not planning any meetings with the parties over the next fortnight.

In a letter the governments asked the parties to come back with their own views on issues discussed at the Hillsborough talks last week with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair.