Taoiseach to meet Sinn Féin delegation tomorrow

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is to meet a Sinn Féin delegation led by party President Mr Gerry Adams in Dublin tomorrow.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is to meet a Sinn Féin delegation led by party President Mr Gerry Adams in Dublin tomorrow.

Speaking at the party's Ard Chomhairle meeting, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan Monaghan Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said that there is a need for a rigorous review of progress made thus far in implementing the Belfast Agreement.

"Over the past number of months there has been a serious escalation in loyalist orchestrated sectarian attacks across Belfast with a real and palpable sense of fear and intimidation in communities such as the Short Strand," said Mr Ó Caoláin.

"The Good Friday Agreement guarantees everybody the right to live free from sectarian harassment but in the current climate of fear and intimidation, these are just meaningless words.

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"It is also patently clear that there is a major battle taking place within the political leadership of unionism which is putting pressure on the process.

"There is a need for a rigorous review of progress made thus far in implementing the Good Friday Agreement and this has to include the two governments record of delivering on their obligations," said Mr Ó Caoláin.

He also claimed that the British government has "a case to answer" in relation to its failure to deliver a new policing service and on crucial issues such as demilitarisation, equality agenda, bill of rights.

"This must be the focus of all of the efforts of all of the pro-agreement parties and the two governments in the coming period," he said.

Yesterday’s meeting of the Ard Chomhairle also re-iterated their call for a full public judicial independent inquiry into the killing of Pat Finucane.

Pádraig Collins

Pádraig Collins

Pádraig Collins a contributor to The Irish Times based in Sydney